Private Label Beer

[SuperiorBeer]

Hello,
I am looking for a good all-purpose beer that is available for private label. Does anyone have any suggestions for this? We would like to market this beer as our own.
Thanks
John Waterhouse

[chazwicke]

There are several craft breweries that make beer for private label or on a contract basis. Three that spring to mind are:

Old Dominion Brewing
FX Matts
Frederick Brewing

I'm sure you can find them on the web.

Are you marketing this or is it to be for sale in a restaurant?

[SuperiorBeer]

Thanks for this.
Yes, we plan to market it as part of another project we have going. I'm also going to try to get it into a few places for sale.
I appreciate your help and if anyone else has other suggestions, please let me know.
John

[Derekt2]

You should also know (based on my experience):

1. There are substantial order minimums. When I was brewing at a very small brewery our minimum was 20 bbl, which is the same as 40 full size kegs or over 275 cases of beer at a time. And it was usually double that. Plus, it was assumed you would be doing this on a schedule and not just once (although we sometimes did that too).

2. You are responsible for all of the off-site warehousing, marketing & distribution.

3. If you do use the brewery's distribution system they will give you a schedule to sell-off all of it (brewery space is often at a premium).

Once that date passes any remaining pallets of beer -- that you have already paid for -- are destroyed to make room for thjeir products, or someone elses doing the same. I know of at least one contract brewer who will likely cease soon because he is now destroying almost as much beer a month as he is selling.

YMMV.

[SuperiorBeer]

Thanks.
Yeah, I don't think this would be a problem as we have the space and distribution part handled.
The key is to get a good all-around beer, with a homebrewed flavor.
Do you have any ideas on the cost of a case of private label beer?
Thanks
John

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by SuperiorBeer
Thanks.
Yeah, I don't think this would be a problem as we have the space and distribution part handled.
The key is to get a good all-around beer, with a homebrewed flavor.
Do you have any ideas on the cost of a case of private label beer?
Thanks
John

Nope, because the costs associated between a small brewer v. a larger one, and a Cream ale recipe versus an IPA very tremendously. For that you should start calling the breweries themselves.

[chazwicke]

Where are you located Superior?

[chazwicke]

I think Old Dominion make a "Put Your Name Here" beer which is a lager or an ale. Or you can go down and actually formulate a beer like Bob and Ellie Tupper did with Hop Pocket. But if they have a generic lager which is good and they can just slap on your label maybe that is the way to go.

[SuperiorBeer]

I'm in Chicago now. I don't necessarily think I need to create a new beer as long as I can private label a quality beer that appeals to alot of people. Of course not like the piss from Bud or Miller.

[danno]

Schell's in southern MN also does some contract brewing...

[chazwicke]

http://www.olddominion.com/

[Vienna Lager]

Sand Creek Brewing Company, Black River Falls, Wisconsin just up the road on I-94 from Chicago.

[SuperiorBeer]

Just talked to Sand Creek. The other guys haven't called me back yet. Thanks for this lead.

[chazwicke]

Let us know how it goes and which beer and brewery you select. Actually If you would not mind posting the info that you find out here. I'd like to know how much it is to contract a beer.

[newportstorm]

*rant*
Stuff like this bores me to tears and does little/nothing for the craft brewing industry. To admittedly not care what beer you'll be selling says it all to me. "As long as it appeals to a lot of people"? I think the major macro brewers have that area covered. Why not take an interest in your product and possibly help formulate a recipe? Or at least have a style in mind, instead of 'any beer that will sell well'.

I am not at all against contract brewing...when done right. Plenty of small breweries in the US contract out due to space limitations. The better ones have a hand in recipe formulation and some actually travel to the facility to monitor/assist/brew and keep an eye on quality control.

You "don't need to create a new beer"? Then what is your sales strategy? Sell the beer while it's new, hot, hip and then bail when people realize this beer is no different or better than the brand they've been buying for the past decade? Why bother? I'm not advising reinventing the wheel, but it seems $$ is your driving force - in which case, why not sell something else? Hell, probably more profit margin in wine & spirits - most beer margins are thin - even quality craft beer.

If this sounds harsh, too bad. I love beer and cringe when people just want to "market" beer and show little interest in it or the American craft beer scene. And frankly, I'm amazed at the number of responses this thread has gotten.
*rant over*

[Derekt2]

And frankly, I'm amazed at the number of responses this thread has gotten.

You're right. It's all Chaz's fault.

[SuperiorBeer]

Did I post this in the wrong part of the forum? Or is this not the site to ask a question like this?

[Vienna Lager]

lol

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by SuperiorBeer
Did I post this in the wrong part of the forum? Or is this not the site to ask a question like this?

It's just that most of us here are tired of beers sold by marketing only and not for being a great beer. I do admire that you don't want the cheapest BMC knockoff you can find, but a respectable beer, but most of us have some great homebrew recipes that we would love to see the general public get to enjoy. We like to see commercial brewers with that same drive for a great beer, not just profits.

[chazwicke]

It is a legitimate question. If he is planning on operating a restaurant why not have his own name on a craft brewed beer from someplace like Old Dominon. Their beers are good. But, Like I mentioned earlier, I like what Bob Tupper has done with both his beers. Both he and Ellie were very involved in the formulation and testing of his contract brewed beer. He has not even stated what he plans to do with the beer? You don't know that he is going to "Sell the beer while it's new, hot, hip and then bail when people realize this beer is no different or better than the brand they've been buying for the past decade? " And really, if it is a beer that he can sell or serve that people like who really cares if it is a contract brew that he had no formulation in. Taste is the bottom line after all. I'm not all that fond of some of Gary Heurich's Foggy Bottom Brands that are contract brewed at Matts in NY, Well, someone is buying them. Both Tupper and Heurich have no brewery of their own. their beers are totally contract brewed. I think a rant before he has even explained himself is a bit premature. Also, I am interested in specifics. I'd like to know how much it costs and what kind of quantities are required to have a beer contracted. Ever dream of having your own beer professionally brewed?

[SuperiorBeer]

I guess if i was more clear about our plans it wouldn't be such an issue. But, I'm a little afraid to say what our marketing plans are since I think it's a great, unique idea, and would like to keep it under wraps until I get further along.
Sorry to sound mysterious, and it's not a big deal, but I'll be happy to explain more later.
And, it would be great to brew our "own taste" or maybe someone else's recipe. I actually talked about doing this at some point with the people at Sand Creek (or whoever we work with), but for now it makes more sense to contract a great tasting beer for what we are doing.
We have no intention of contracting with anyone that we have not tested and approved of beforehand.
Hope that clarifies things somewhat....lol

[Beermaker]

Check out ABT....they have a cost per beer calculator including all costs. I think it breaks down to about $75 profit per barrel. Depending on the kind of packaging, advertising, etc. But the profit is exponential from there due to bulk buying discounts lowering production and packaging costs.

http://www.abtonline.com/abtdiff.html

[newportstorm]

I'll stick by my rant. Lots of people have come here looking for advice on: opening a brewpub, opening a craft beer store, etc. No secrecy, no ambiguity, straightforward. 'SuperiorBeer' asks for info from us but gives little in return and has stated that any beer that sells well and tastes better than BMC is fine with him/her. That's not passion for good beer and I won't support it.

What the craft beer scene does not need is another "brand" to clutter the shelves or compete for draft lines. Would you be OK with one of your favorites getting dumped from the local beer store/beer bar in favor of "Superior Lager", which is just a rebadged beer? How about if the brewery that relabelled their own beer is the one that gets the axe? Their name recognition just went into the toilet. Sure, they get paid anyway for brewing the beer, but I'd wager they'd rather have their own draft line/shelf space with their name and logo getting viewed.

There is too much mediocre beer taking up draft lines. There are too many solid, yet poorly marketed brands on the shelves, languishing. The craft beer segment is growing strong and I'd like to see that trend continue. I just hope another glutton of beer brands like we saw a decade ago doesn't repeat itself (i.e. anyone with some $$ and an idea made some beer, slapped a label on it and hoped for the best). That is not good for craft beer.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

You make good points. And I do remember the micro scene before the fallout in the 90s. And I certainly lament the fact that good beer such as the beers from St. Georges Brewery here in VA get relegated to the bottom shelf where they are almost out of view and get overlooked. Ask Derek about competition for shelf space. I think he can give us the low down on what can happen to a brewery that has to fight for shelf space. Again you make some good and valid arguements. However, I AM interested in just what it would take financially to have a beer brewed like Tupper has. His beers are tremendous and I would have expected nothing less from Bob. And if the produced beer is better than a lot of what is out there then I'm for it. I whole heartedly agree that just because a beer is microbrewed does not make it better. How many times have you been to a brew pub, Had the sampler, and discovered only one or two out of the eight that they make is good. I can name some brew pubs and breweries that I think make fairly mediocre or amaturish beers. I have a bad feeling about a new brewery that is going to open soon in VA. So, Since we do not know what Superior's plans are, I won't criticize yet. And I understand your concerns, But I think his questions are as legitimate as anyone who comes here with the bright idea of opening a brew pub.

[Beermaker]

Ouch...Brutal.....So I cant send you a sample to see if its good enough to sell here in Texas? ;)


Newsports........PLEASE tell me Go Blue means Maize and bblue....Wolverines .....U of M baby..........MICHIGAN!

[Felix]

I'm trying to find a brewery in the L.A. area who can botlle growlers for me to sell at my bar. Looking for something distinctive but not pricey. Any suggestions?

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Beermaker
Newsports........PLEASE tell me Go Blue means Maize and bblue....Wolverines .....U of M baby..........MICHIGAN!

It is. Huge UM fan.

GO BLUE!