Craft beer has gained popularity in recent years, and small-scale brewers are in more demand as a result. The words “nano brewery” and “microbrewery” are sometimes used synonymously in the brewing industry. The two, however, differ greatly from one another.
The size of a nano brewery’s production capacity is what distinguishes it from a microbrewery. Small batches of beer, typically three barrels or less (one barrel is equivalent to 31 gallons), are usually produced by a nano brewery. A microbrewery, on the other hand, often brews beer in batches of 15 to 30 barrels. This means that a microbrewery may create somewhere between 465 and 930 gallons per batch, whereas a nano brewery can only produce up to about 93 gallons per batch.
The price to open a brewery is another distinction between the two. Nanobreweries cost less to start than microbreweries because of their smaller scale. Starting a nano brewery may cost between $10,000 and $100,000, whereas launching a microbrewery may cost between $100,000 and $1 million or more. This is due to the fact that a microbrewery needs additional room and greater equipment to support the increasing production capacity.
The amount of money that may be made from a barrel of beer depends on a variety of variables, including the type of beer, the location of the brewery, and the distribution methods. Craft beer can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 or more per barrel, on average. Accordingly, a nano brewery may make between $450 and $900 every batch, whereas a microbrewery could make between $2,250 and $9,300.
The size of the brewery, as well as additional elements like experience and location, might affect the chief brewer’s pay. The typical pay for a head brewer in the United States is about $51,000 per year, according to salary information from Glassdoor. Nevertheless, depending on the brewery, this can range from about $33,000 to over $75,000 in cost.
Last but not least, the price of contract brewing, in which one brewery employs another to make its beer, might differ based on the size of the brewery and the volume of beer produced. Contract brewing expenses are from $25 to $35 per barrel on average, although they might go up or down depending on the situation.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that nanobreweries and microbreweries are both on a tiny scale, there are important distinctions between the two in terms of production capacity and initial expenditure. Aspiring brewers can choose the best type of brewery for them by being aware of these distinctions.
You can start your search for a contract brewer by looking through internet listings of contract brewers or by asking nearby breweries if they provide contract brewing services. To network with other brewers and possibly find a contract brewing partner, you can also go to industry events or join brewing groups. Additionally, you can think about working with a consultant who focuses on contract brewing to help you identify the ideal partner for your requirements.