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Packaging
Though always important, product packaging has become vitally critical to the survival of today's breweries where access to consumers has been severely limited. If you're here you have questions or needs regarding packaging. This ever evolving information source places everything current and past within easy reach of the ProBrewer community.
Proudly Sponsored by SKA Fabricating
Ska Fabricating automates packaging lines for craft businesses, specializing in depalletizers, palletizers, conveyance systems, rinsing, drying, fill detection and date coding products. With over 650 customers worldwide, we have the products and experience to help you increase your production while saving expense.
Nano Brewing – Finally, time to sell your beer
So far, all of the considerations we have discussed have centered on the expense side of the ledger. But there is good news: Good beer is worth money. And, once you have navigated all the red tape to get licensed, scavenged the money to build a brewery and actually brewed some beer, there are people out there willing to pay you for your efforts.
Read more...Off-site draft sales for brewpubs
As brewpubs continue to proliferate across the country, many are opting to sell their products through retail accounts to utilize excess capacity and increase revenue. Off-site sales can also increase your walk-in business by creating exposure and interest in your brewpub. As attractive as this may seem, off-site sales entail a great deal of time, resources and effort to successfully achieve these objectives. And in some states, brewpubs are not allowed to sell their products outside the confines of the licensed premise.
Read more...Obligations of beer wholesalers
The relationship between a brewer and wholesaler is a very complex and regulated one. State alcohol regulatory agencies mandate certain responsibilities of both the wholesaler and brewer such as payment terms, incentives, price posting, contracts, etc. Every state has a different set of regulations. It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations pertaining to the brewery and wholesaler relationship before doing business in that state. Many states also have franchise laws that define very specifically the parameters for terminating a wholesaler. Even in non-franchise states, a brewer can not terminate a wholesaler without cause unless they are willing to compensate the wholesaler for relinquishing the brand.
Read more...The distribution handbook
In the current distribution climate, where distributors have many more brands than they are able to adequately and properly attend to, it is imperative for the supplier to take steps to gain and retain mind-share within each distributor. Many times, the distributor needs information about a particularly brand, either by request of a sales rep or a retailer. The easier it is for the distributor to access the information, the more likely that information will be passed on as a sales tool to the person in need.
Read more...Distribution 101 – A short course in distribution basics
Distribution has become one of the most important yet overlooked components in the operation and success of running a microbrewery. A common misconception by those entering the craft beer industry is that once the beer is brewed, packaged and shipped to a wholesaler, the brewer can essentially forget about it, leaving the sales, marketing and promotion up to the distributors. This is not the case as beer wholesalers are primarily a delivery mechanism; most do little actual selling and promoting of the brands in their portfolio. Hence, it is imperative that the microbrewer know and understand the second tier of the business to ensure their products are adequately marketed and handled after leaving the caring hands of the brewer.
Read more...Other packaging line automation equipment
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Read more...Bottle rinsers
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Read more...Labeling
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Read more...Packaging line basics
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Read more...Keg terminology
Read more...Keg safety
Read more...Keg maintenance
Read more...Keg management
Leasing Programs – Many companies offer leasing options through finance companies or keg rental as an alternative to purchasing kegs outright.
Read more...Selecting kegs
Read more...Keg systems
Read more...Distribution Glossary – Terms to know about beverage distribution
ABC. Alcohol Beverage Control or other name of a state agency that is responsible for regulating the production, sales and distribution of alcoholic beverages.
Read more...Valuing beer distributors – How to value that important relationship
by Lamont Seckman
Read more...10 tips for a valuable distributor sales meeting
Distributor sales meetings are perhaps the single most time effective way to make an impact on your distributors sales force. It allows you face to face time with the entire sales force and helps put a personal touch on your brand. Distributors should allow you access to a group sales meeting on a quarterly basis. Sales meetings can vary significantly from distributor to distributor. Some wholesalers will only allow you a short 15 or so minutes, often sandwiched in between numerous other suppliers also giving a presentation. Other distributors may give you the opportunity to speak for most of the meeting.
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