I didn't bother reading the article - I lived it.
Going on 4 years this summer and I absolutely love owning a brewery and I love going in and brewing every day. If the brewery failed tomorrow I'd be planning a new one the following day. I really can't think of anything else I'd rather do. This is it. But, as with any business, be prepared to deal with the sacrifices you are going to make to insure the business survives. My hardest sacrifice has been my family. There are times when you will have to put the business first. It's been challenging on my marriage, too. It's a huge financial challenge - there are lots of times when I don't get paid so that my employees do. It's not just breweries - every business owner I have talked to say the same things. Long hours, hard work, family sacrifice.
Proud to say it's getting a lot better. I have some great employees, I have (most) of my weekends back, and we are looking at major grown the next two years. We opened a tasting room last summer and it is really taking off (and it's a ton of fun!) We also just sold 20% of the company to a fifth partner for a lot more money than we invested initially. And this guy is a founder and CEO of a Fortune 500 company and has already started making a big difference in the management of the company.
So, it can be done (though, not saying it should. There's enough damn breweries out there already thank you very much.
) Just be sure you walk in with eyes open, know what you are getting into. Be prepared to buckle down and make it work. And make sure you have a wife or husband who is willing to help keep the family going and bring in the money you will need to live.