Starting a Micro-brewery on farm?

[Chris F]

Yep. Got one here. Its been going about 15 years at a guess and he's doing really well looking in from the outside. Its nothing fancy but they have a good name locally so seem to be shifting quite a few barrels per week. Probably brewing 3 days a week at a guess.

Which one is that Lee - must be local as I'm based on Clive's farm.

I also found out that Purity down in Warwickshire is based on a farm, they have made that into a massive business. I feel a field trip coming on!

https://puritybrewing.com/

 

[Greenbeast]

Which one is that Lee - must be local as I'm based on Clive's farm.

I also found out that Purity down in Warwickshire is based on a farm, they have made that into a massive business. I feel a field trip coming on!

https://puritybrewing.com/

Yeah i've been there, good beer

 

[curlietailz]

Interesting thread....
What is the situation regarding planning permission to use a farm shed for micro brewery , also business rates, and any regulations if own borehole is used to source water ?

 

[BobTheSmallholder]

Needs planning for industrial use, you'll only pay rates if over the size limit, no extra regulations for water beyond the usual testing requirements.

If you are seriously considering it then get onto FB and join a few of the microbrewery startup groups, then get yourself on a course. Spending a couple of thousand on courses straight off will save you tens of thousands, especially if doing them puts you off!

 

[curlietailz]

Thanks for that reply Bobtbesmallholdar.
It's just an embryonic idea at the moment though :>

 

[Forever Fendt]

Interesting thread....
What is the situation regarding planning permission to use a farm shed for micro brewery , also business rates, and any regulations if own borehole is used to source water ?

It was permitted development to convert a farm building of less than 140 sq meters under the prior notification process with very little details or cost involved <this may have come to an end as there was a end date ,you would need to check the legislation to see if this is still posable

 

[BobTheSmallholder]

Thanks for that reply Bobtbesmallholdar.
It's just an embryonic idea at the moment though :>

I don't want to be overly negative but you need a serious passion for beer, a serious lump of cash and a willingness to work 60+hrs a week for limited return. If you have a farmshop or a campsite already and want to make a few extra bob by brewing 100 litres a time, bottling it and selling it at £3.50 a bottle then it can be worth it and can be setup up for £25k or less.

 

[Tom_o_m]

It would be really interesting to see the % increase in microbreweries over the last 10/15 years. I imagine it would be comfortably over 100%.

I'm wondering if the microbrewery boom can translate into a decent export opportunities, in line with the US.

 

[BobTheSmallholder]

It would be really interesting to see the % increase in microbreweries over the last 10/15 years. I imagine it would be comfortably over 100%.

I'm wondering if the microbrewery boom can translate into a decent export opportunities, in line with the US.

Tis about 3-400% increase over 15yrs!

Export can be lucrative but the volumes are large and there is a fairly high entry cost in finding customers in the first place. We're just looking at starting exporting and the first two customers are talking about full 40ft containers... we are investing a six figure sum in upgrading our equipment to fulfil orders like that.

I do know a few breweries that have gone from quite small operations to seven figure turnover through export but they have spent up to half a million on equipment to do it.

 

[Tom_o_m]

Tis about 3-400% increase over 15yrs!

Export can be lucrative but the volumes are large and there is a fairly high entry cost in finding customers in the first place. We're just looking at starting exporting and the first two customers are talking about full 40ft containers... we are investing a six figure sum in upgrading our equipment to fulfil orders like that.

I do know a few breweries that have gone from quite small operations to seven figure turnover through export but they have spent up to half a million on equipment to do it.

Best of luck, it sounds like they can take as much as you can make which can never be a bad thing. It's good to hear of a positive export story, fingers crossed Brexit has only a marginal impact. Given how large a consumer we are of continental alcoholic beverages I believe there is a strong likelihood that this trade will remain tariff free.