The market for organic beer is dynamic and continues to evolve, driven by growing consumer demand for authentic and environmentally friendly products. At the same time, contract brewing—a method in which beer production is outsourced to an external brewery—is gaining popularity. Especially in the development of non-alcoholic beers, organic beer is gaining popularity.

Organic beer and contract brewing: a successful combination of respect for ingredients and craftsmanship

Contract brewing does not make concessions on production standards; on the contrary, it ensures strict compliance with organic ingredients and the craftsmanship of brewers. A good example of this is Belgian Contract Brewery (BCB), a certified brewery with an organic certificate, which proves that contract brewing not only ensures high-quality production but also offers significant advantages for brewing organic beers and organic non-alcoholic beers.
- The concept of contract brewing: flexibility and control
Contract brewing allows companies, brands, or entrepreneurs to develop their own beer in collaboration with an established brewery. The contract brewer produces the beer according to the exact specifications of the client, ranging from the recipe and ingredients to the fermentation process. This method offers great flexibility for those looking to launch their own beer brand without investing in expensive infrastructure.
A common misconception about contract brewing is that outsourcing production would lead to a decline in product quality. However, in the organic beer sector, this approach has proven its added value, ensuring strict adherence to ecological standards and artisanal processes while leveraging the expertise of an experienced brewery. Thanks to BCB’s expertise in non-alcoholic (organic) beers, we are the ideal partner for brewing your non-alcoholic organic beer.
- Organic beers: a demanding production process
The production of organic beers must meet strict standards. To be certified organic, a beer must consist of at least 95% ingredients from organic farming (such as malt and hops) and comply with stringent requirements during the production process. Organic beers contain no synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or artificial additives and must meet strict traceability standards.
In contract brewing, this means that the brewery must not only comply with these requirements but also ensure that organic standards are maintained throughout the entire process. These quality standards are non-negotiable and ensure that the final product fully meets customer expectations and applicable regulations.
To provide consumers with the assurance that the rules surrounding the production of organic beers are upheld, the brewery, like BCB, must not only possess an organic certificate but also have each recipe individually approved by the relevant authorities. Only after this approval can brewing commence.
- BCB: an example of certified organic contract brewing A convincing example of the successful combination of contract brewing and organic standards is BCB. As a certified organic brewery, BCB produces contract beers with strict adherence to ingredient quality and artisanal production methods.
BCB’s IFS quality certification and organic certification provide confidence to brands looking to launch their own organic beers without having to master the complex production process themselves. BCB guarantees the use of certified organic ingredients and ensures that brewing methods meet organic standards. BCB guarantees the use of certified organic ingredients, handles the necessary registrations for each recipe, and ensures that brewing methods comply with organic standards. Thus, even when outsourcing, brands can be sure that their beer meets the highest quality and environmental requirements.
- Contract brewing and respect for craftsmanship
Another significant advantage of contract brewing is the ability to maintain the craftsmanship of the client. Contrary to common belief, contract brewing does not mean a loss of quality or customer preferences. On the contrary, many contract breweries, such as BCB, actively involve their clients in various stages of the brewing process. This can include ingredient selection, recipe adjustments, and supervision of crucial steps such as fermentation.
Additionally, contract breweries often work with advanced, secure software for recipe management, ensuring absolute confidentiality and compliance with customer specifications. The craftsmanship of the brewer is maintained and respected, while also benefiting from the technical expertise of a certified organic brewery.
- Misconceptions about contract brewing: a myth debunked
Although there is still criticism of contract brewing, it is important to dispel these doubts. A frequently heard misconception is that outsourcing leads to a loss of quality, especially with organic beers, where respect for ingredients and processes is crucial. However, as mentioned earlier, breweries like BCB prove that contract brewing aligns perfectly with high-quality production and respects both organic standards and the client’s artisanal recipe.
Thanks to traceability, transparency, and strict procedures, contract-brewed beers meet the highest standards. Moreover, contract brewing allows smaller brands to scale up their production capacity without compromising quality, offering a strategic advantage in a growing market.
Conclusion: Contract brewing is a flexible and quality-oriented method, especially for organic beers. It is not a compromise but rather an opportunity for brands to produce on a larger scale while maintaining control over ingredients, craftsmanship, and quality. Examples like BCB demonstrate that contract brewing can guarantee high standards in both production methods and environmental requirements. The prejudices against contract brewing should be abandoned, as this method is increasingly recognized as a model of quality and flexibility in the beer industry.
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