Here's some good news for Vermont homebrewers thinking of turning their hobby into a business. The Vermont Small Business Development Center is offering a free class in Hardwick this month on "The Business of Craft Brewing."
"Vermont breweries like Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro and the Alchemist in Waterbury are garnering national attention and an almost cult-like following for their products," an announcement about the class states. "It’s easy to see why new breweries are popping up throughout the state and beyond. While rockstar brews like the Alchemist’s Heady Topper may make going into the beer business seem like a no-brainer, opening a brewery is a serious and often expensive undertaking that should not be delved into on a whim."
The class will discuss various business models, and talk about the finances of a craft brewing business.
"You will actually look at financials for a craft brewery," the class announcement states. "When you leave the workshop you should have an idea of the business side with regards to expenses, revenue streams and potential business models that you might consider operating under."
The hour-and-a-half class gives the highlights of an eight-hour class the Vermont Small Business Development Centeroffers as part of course in conjunction with the American Brewers Guild. That course was first offered in Middlebury last summer.
The Vermont Small Business Development Center says its longer, eight-hour "brewing for business" class will be offered in conjunction with the American Brewers Guild again this summer. In the meantime, brewers looking to get a head start can register for the free class taught by craft beverage specialist Charley Ininger at the Vermont Food Venture Center in Hardwick, April 16 at 5 p.m.
