Home of the BrewNosers

So... I accepted a temporary teaching gig at Central Michigan University, and will be heading down in August. Was checking out the small town, thinking about whether I should bring my brewing stuff, etc., and noticed, to my relief, that there's a brewpub. Then I noticed the prices! Holy crap: a HALF BARREL for $85!!! How the heck do craft brewers make any money in the States? (On a related note: Party at my house when you guys make it down to Mt. Pleasant!) http://www.mountaintown.com/Brewery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jason

jason.loxton wrote:So... I accepted a temporary teaching gig at Central Michigan University, and will be heading down in August. Was checking out the small town, thinking about whether I should bring my brewing stuff, etc., and noticed, to my relief, that there's a brewpub. Then I noticed the prices! Holy crap: a HALF BARREL for $85!!! How the heck do craft brewers make any money in the States? (On a related note: Party at my house when you guys make it down to Mt. Pleasant!) http://www.mountaintown.com/Brewery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jason

They pay $20/bbl in taxes instead of $180 like we do You homebrew in the US for the craft and choice, not to save money... lots of expensive beers there too though


Best of luck, how long are you down there for, it's temporary you say?

Congrats and good luck! Certainly a change in the beer scene down there compared to here.

As Nash says - taxes. How much would it actually cost you to make your best half-barrel? Then consider that they're getting better prices for the ingredients (though we do pretty well with our group buys), and they probably aren't using such good ingredients. They should be able to make a reasonable profit at $85 half barrel. I noticed the same thing in England - the breweries sold beer in practically any quantity from an imperial gallon up, and it was clear I'd never need to make my own beer there.