The biggest group buy of them all: the NHC microbrewery

[irish_goat]

Bunching together, imo, is essential. Otherwise you'll have 10 new microbreweries coming to market at the same time, all in the same area. That's about a 50% increase in breweries nationally. I don't think there is enough demand to sustain that.

Also, if you're talking serious money like 100k then perhaps a dedicated brew pub on the side might be an idea.

[brenmurph]

Can anyone think of an existing pub (struggling) that may innovate and embrace an onsite brewery plan? Is this a possibility?

I stayed at the Eaton Hotel in Chester and to my surprise there was a brewery in the basement which was also a lovely pub on the canal, you passed the brewhouse to get to the loo tghey brewed for their own use and also for a few pubs in liverpool, a lovely operation,  very innovative although it reminds me of the original Porterhouse templebar.

[Padraic]

Bunching together, imo, is essential. Otherwise you'll have 10 new microbreweries coming to market at the same time, all in the same area. That's about a 50% increase in breweries nationally. I don't think there is enough demand to sustain that.

Also, if you're talking serious money like 100k then perhaps a dedicated brew pub on the side might be an idea.

The market would be tested for sure, I would be surprised if everyone was ready to go the first week and I'd be surprised if there were 10 different breweries. I'd say 4-5 at most would be set up. And that their launches would be staggered over a couple of months.

I think a 25% increase in brewers could be sustained, that said I accept the geographical location might be an issue.

Edited: sorry hit enter by mistake half way through!

[CARA]

There's a great spot up in Letterkenny also, 2 function rooms, separate bar and restaurant, big kitchen, 12/15 letting rooms, huge cellar and basement area, massive carpark and delivery area and covered smoking area (right beside Enterprise Ireland and Invest Donegal too) but obv the share would have to be in or around Dublin.
The brew pub concept is one i have fallen in love with years ago.

[brenmurph]

The pub/ hotel industry in Ireland needs to think outside the box if theyre goin to survive! Tourists deserve a better deal as well, they dont want to drink Guiness in most cases and they dont report back to their mates in america about the wonderfull boring pub selling shit beer with a stressed out barman who hasnt time to say hello or goodbye to ya.

Touristy hotel/ brewpub sounds innovative....if anyone going to chester (a haven for oldeworldy brewpubs) check out the eaton incorporating swiftys brewpub!

[Will_D]

A point to consider:

Small breweries that we have visited tend to brew once or twice a week. That means at most 4 fermenters are needed.

Ok some have double sized fermenters but you get my drift.

If we are going to have 10 members brewing two batches a day for 5 days then we are going to need a minimum of 10 fermenters ( assuming the beer ferments in 1 week ) and about 20 bright beer / conditioning tanks (assuming 2 weeks in tank).

This is WAY more stainless steel stuff than the small breweries have.

They tend to brew one day, move beer around and bottle or keg on one or two days. The other days are spent delivering and doing the books, marketing, attending festivals etc.

This really is going to be massive in terms of stainless steel


BTW: What size mash tun / fermenters are ye talking about?

Will

[brenmurph]

Was talking with Carrig and theyre brewing 24/7! for the christmas season also spoke with Tom Dalton who is flat out on turbo as well.

So dont forget seasonal variations when considering equipment needs

[brenmurph]

Ive brewed 1000 litres since march!

[brenmurph]

ahhh wudnt be the same,.... its much more fun brewing 23 ltrs once r twice a week that 1000 at one batch! And the variety is just a tad more interesting too

[Will_D]

What about making them an offer:
http://www.beoir.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9193

Central location, existing brewery, Pub and clientele!!

What more could you ask for?

Capital Brewers would have a MAJOR CRAPPITY SMACKING base

Will

BTW: If these are serious threads can we at least merge these two threads about plan A and plan B

[brenmurph]

I agree with tube.....However the principle is bang on as I suggested in an warlier post. There are tons of premises being reposessed or handed back to the banks, they are everywhere, Messers may fetch a million as its prime property and a large premises. The banks will flogg all this property asap because they are a liability unless they can get a tennent, by selling cheap they will get a tennant that will make a fortune from it. thats the nature of a recession, winners and losers!

Keep looking!

[Kaymak (kev2403)]

Hey Lads

Me and my brewing mate would love to get in on this., It's a great way to get into the business while sharing the costs, knowledge, pros and cons with other like minded members.

None of us have operated a brewery before so having 10 separate entities in the one brewery could be a good advantage as it will shorten the learning curve hugely as we can all feed off each other experience in 5the brewery.

I do think it's essential for one brand with at least one core beer for consistency and building awareness of the brand, each brewer can still produce their beers alongside the core beer.

That being said,  I would definitely be interested in this once the details were irons out a bit

Kev

[CARA]

*bump*

[Weiss]

Really interesting idea.

Pity my knowledge isn't that good, though have time (after the summer) and some cash to go in with others for a share.