Brewpub Co-op???

[Barr]

Something interesting to think about Brewnosers. What if we could all afford to buy a piece of a homebrewers dream?

Check out these examples of co-op brewpubs.
http://www.blackstar.coop/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://m.fifthstreet.coop/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://sjcoopbrewpub.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[2Hands-1Mouth]

interesting. very interesting.

[Barr]

I think it would be awesome to have a rotation of talented brewers always trying new and interesting things. I think a group like this could put together a damn good brewpub.

[RubberToe]

Well I think that would be awesome but would be quite some challenge with the NSLC monopoly and related red tape in this province.

[Barr]

Anything can be done if you get the right people behind it.

[Barr]

Well I think that would be awesome but would be quite some challenge with the NSLC monopoly and related red tape in this province.

All those issues are going to be big issues in the upcoming provincial elections. I know the PC party has been challenging the monopoly.

[HappyHopper]

The is a cap on how many private liquor stores can be operated in ns, but there's nothing about brew pubs is there?? What are some hurtles involved in this idea ?? I think it would be amazing.

[Barr]

I don't think there is any cap of any sort. Once your shares are sold it shouldn't be any harder to start than any other brewpub. I think the Port Pub (home of Sealevel Brewery) is owned by like 116 people. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone. I think Randy leases the space from the group but nothing to say ours couldn't be all owned as a co-op. Worth a discussion anyways. It might help a few of us learn the business and be able to move out on our own all over the region.

[mr x]

Certainly worth discussing...

[Barr]

Could be the first home brew club to own and operate a brewpub.

[pet lion]

Interesting idea. Nova Scotia has a strong co-op tradition. Would be lots of advice on how to start one up floating around.

[HappyHopper]

The Brooklyn warehouse used a similer Stratagy to do their recent renovations..

[sleepyjamie]

Well I think that would be awesome but would be quite some challenge with the NSLC monopoly and related red tape in this province.

the guy on my soccer team brian keefe, his dad co-owned granite, and he told me that they used to brew on barrington street and had to sell AND ship their kegs to NSLC, then NSLC would resell and ship them to henry house.

[Barr]

Lots of people start brewpubs. I'm sure with a group the size of this we have enough connections to pull off just about anything. I'm just wondering if there are enough people interested in this to dig further. Sounds like a great affordable way to own a brewpub.

Check out this interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb1NSUMpo7Q" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[benwedge]

Well I think that would be awesome but would be quite some challenge with the NSLC monopoly and related red tape in this province.

the guy on my soccer team brian keefe, his dad co-owned granite, and he told me that they used to brew on barrington street and had to sell AND ship their kegs to NSLC, then NSLC would resell and ship them to henry house.

I believe it's a little bit simpler now, unless I misunderstood Nash's comments one day. They simply remit their taxes to the NSLC. I know Propeller and Garrison are delivering directly to customers, but they're not brewpubs.

[Barr]

I think it is a lot easier now. Plus...if we don't like the laws lets fight to change them. Lots of brewers have done this in various places and won. No better time then during this upcoming election.

[Downs]

Very cool idea.

I would be interested for sure.

[pet lion]

http://vimeo.com/57013459" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fifth Street Brewpub

[brufrog]

We could do it as a Kickstarter project! I've always wanted to be part owner of a brewpub or brewery. But the risks are too high for someone like me with very little money. What if a hundred people kicked in a grand or two each? Would it be enough to get started? I think this sort of thing coud work if a) there were a couple of trustworthy, capable people who were keen to actually do this as a job, and b) all the rest of us were not looking at it as a way to earn income, but instead just to have our own pub/product to support. I might be keen in that case. The only pay we might expect is free beer when we visit And the right to have our turn choosing a recipe (a rotating seasonal that everyone takes turns choosing, via a lottery).

[mr x]

I'd be interested. Get some peeps to do some serious research, and maybe we could make this work...

[Barr]

I agree nobody will make any money but we could all have the experience of being a part of a brewery. Yeah maybe we could do seasonal brews and team brews. Might we be the first home brew club to own a brewpub? Hope to talk it out some more at HPHunters event Friday night.

[jacinthebox]

I don't think the NSLC is an issue here...we are not thinking of opening a liquor store.

Sadly I would be out...I would have a Conflict of Interest

[bluenose]

I love the idea... might even make bulk grain purchases and splitting up a lot easier. A co-op set up for this reason alone would be a good idea to get around the maltsers locking out sales to homebrew clubs.

The biggest hurdle will be to setup a board of governors, their job to be the overall planning and running of said co-op. They could get guidance from the members of said co-op. We'd still need someone to look after the co-op's day-to-day activities, even if it's just part-time.

Members could get extra credit for volunteering their time to brewing, cleaning, etc.

[Barr]

Thanks Bluenose

It can be done. Just need the right people to really want it

[jherbin]

I really like the idea of a co-op brewery, not sure I would want to do the pub part of it though. I imagined a tiered system of shares in the co-op where the owner/producers were the brewers, sharing a 10 BBl system or something and marketing a variety of independent brands from a a central shared retail space. So we have a variety brewers and a brew schedule that rotates, lots of style variety and seasonal offerings, people become fans of certain brewers, etc. Everyone shares the cost of establishment and upkeep. The member tier of share holders get a discount on their beer, etc, as well as some say in the direction of the co-op's business model. As someone had mentioned, the NSLC would likely lose their mind trying to keep track of the tax they were skimming off such an endeavor. Ugh.