[majorvices]

And, it's like it never ends. This is an email I got from one of my partners today....

".... I will bring the app to our meeting, but basically we will all have to do an FBI and ABI background check. There is a $1000 manufacturers fee, as well as a $400 warehouse fee, and $100 worth of application fees..."

And FBI background check. Now I hope they don't need to know about that time at Ocean City, Maryland! 

[bbump22]

What state are you applying in?

[majorvices]

Huntsville, AL

[bbump22]

Are the federal laws the same across the US?  Have you found that you are jumping through more hoops with the TTB or State and District groups?  TTB requirements are the same regardless of which state you are in, correct? 

[Hokerer]

both college grads (Virginia Tech '03)

Well, at least you got that going for you.  Myself (EE) and wifey (IEOR) are both VT '82

[euge]

Are the federal laws the same across the US?  Have you found that you are jumping through more hoops with the TTB or State and District groups?  TTB requirements are the same regardless of which state you are in, correct? 

I found this on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbrewery




Look at the South. Almost the entire region is woefully lacking. Willing to bet it has in part something to do with the PITA laws.

[majorvices]

Are the federal laws the same across the US?  Have you found that you are jumping through more hoops with the TTB or State and District groups?  TTB requirements are the same regardless of which state you are in, correct? 

TTB is the same across the nation. All they care about is collecting their money and they want to make sure they understand your output so that you aren't going to fudge any #s. The reason it takes so long or can be so difficult is because, simply, they can.

Our local regulations are pretty strict. There are some laws on the books that are unbelievably stupid. For instance, if you want to open a brew pub in Alabama it has to be on a location that once produced beer legally before. Which is why there are only 3 operating brew pubs in Alabama.

We are trying to change some of these antiquated laws now through the Free The Hops organization.

I can't tell you exactly how much more difficult the local officials are going to be because we just started dealing with this stuff. We are using an architect to design the layout of the brewery to fend of changes from the Health Dept. and Building Inspector. Not cheap, but worth it in the long run.

[glitterbug]

Look at the South. Almost the entire region is woefully lacking. Willing to bet it has in part something to do with the PITA laws.

Just one more reason to avoid the south 

[thirsty]

My relatives used to tell me the same thing. My beer is great. I should open a brewery. My response was always:

1. I don't want to borrow that kind of money from anyone. Those big fermenters look expensive.

2. While the actual making of the beer would be relatively do-able, it's all the marketing & sales b.s. that I have zero desire to deal with.


Thankfully not everyone feels the way I do, otherwise we would have no amazing craft beer.

[BrewingRover]

Wow, FBI background check to run a 7bbl system. Do you know if that's a TTB or local requirement?

I sure hope this story has a happy ending. 

[MDixon]

glitter - take a better look at that map, you're in one of the pitiful states. While TX might not be considered the South, in terms of that map it is...

[glitterbug]

glitter - take a better look at that map, you're in one of the pitiful states. While TX might not be considered the South, in terms of that map it is...

I can read a map, but I don't need it to tell me how bad the local beer options are 

[majorvices]

All the more reason to open a brewery, see? 

[sienabrewer]

My guess would be people have not taken the plunge for reasons not far off from any other person starting a business in general:  money, risk, and fear of the unknown (in that order).  I'd be willing to bet that on average a homebrewer would much rather jump at the chance to brew professional, than open their own brewpub/brewery.  The latter takes much more than just wanting to brew.  I love homebrewing and I have been exploring the possibility of opening a brewpub in my area.  However, I am aiming more to be a brewpub and business owner, than a brewer.  If I was to get serious about it I would hire a brewer with experience.  One, because I have no idea how to operate a large scale brewery (or even a 7bbl one for that matter).  And two, I think it is asking a bit of oneself to be a brewpub owner and brewer.  That's not saying I wouldn't be involved in creating the beers I want served at my place, I just think it's too much for someone to take on.  I think owning strictly a brewery and being the brewer is different however, but each poses their own set of unique difficulties. 

[majorvices]

Yeah, the risk is pretty big. You need to have at least several thousand dollars you don't mind pissing away. Not a big question mark there; most people are not going to risk actual capital to turn a hobby into a career. I could have invested this money into a different business with much greater chance of success and much less risk. But, damnit - I want to brew beer!