Opening a Brewpub

[Bayview]

My husband and I are interested in opening a brewpub in Gloucester, MA. We're starting from scratch! We do have experience home brewing...but this would be a career change. Does anyone have information or advice to offer on getting a license, writing a business plan, setting up shop, etc.?

[HogieWan]

PM Bruno - He's in the process of setting one up now.

[newportstorm]

First, take a look at the demographics of the area. I used to live in Haverhill, home of The Tap for the past 2 years. They are still afloat and have brewed some fantastic beer, but I've been there on weekend days/weeknights where you could hear a pin drop. And I've heard from at least one brewer that trying to serve adventurous beer styles in Haverhill was frustrating. Lots of locals wanted Light Lager or eschewed beer altogether for wine/spirits. This in a city of 50,000+ with other good sized, affluent towns nearby. Might want to talk with them and see if they can offer any guidance.

Gloucester is a beautiful area (Rockport, Annisquam, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, etc.) but does it have the customer base for a brewpub? Year round? Important to know before jumping in. Though not a brewpub, talk with the owners of Cape Ann Brewing in Gloucester. Heard a rumor (I know, I know) they contemplated a brewpub, too. Is there a reason they backed off?

And I know you're not that far from Salem which already has Salem Beer Works. Not trying to discourage you at all. Another successful brewpub is always welcome. Just food for thought.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

Welcome to the board. Good luck with your venture. We have several threads here dealing with this topic. I'll look for a few links and post them shortly. Hopefully they will be of some help to you.

[newportstorm]

Another thing to keep in mind - most brewpubs I know of stay afloat/profitable on the backs of their food/chefs. Have crappy food and you'll have a hard time keeping the beer flowing. I've contemplated brewpubs/beer bars/etc. in the past but have little interest in the food side of such a business. Hence, I'm in corporate sales. Good luck with your dream.

Cheers!

[brewmonkey]

Contact the folks at the Brewers Association they can be found at www.beertown.org and pick up a copy of the "Brewery Planner." While it might be a bit pricey it is worth every cent you will spend in the long run.

Please check your private messages.

[HogieWan]

A good friend of mine from high school is now a chef - I've been thinking lately . . .

[zoom6zoom]

Sure is a small world... I'm originally from North Andover, right next door to Haverhill.

You could also check out Mercury Brewing (http://www.mercurybrewing.com/) in Ipswitch, home of the Ipswitch Ales.

[chazwicke]

I visited the brewery that produced Ipswich Ales way back in the early 1990s. I have a t shirt and a growler.