Beer Forum

OK,
So I have a question and want some thoughts because I doubt I am the first one to think this so there must be a reason it isn't being done.
Lets start with the two shows.
First one: Wisconsin co-op for growing and selling hops. Brief update, you grow them, they sell them, you get part of the profit.
Second one: You make your beer as a homebrewer, you get a sellers license, you sell it to local bars and establishments.

My question is, has anyone considered or is it possible to start a co-op that sells homebrew?
You make the beer, the co-op does the leg work to get it out there, sell it, transport it, and promote it.

Each side gets said profit. Not sure what the numbers would be.
Is this even possible? Could someone start a co-op of selling homebrew in his/her area to bring in homebrewers brew and then sell it for them?
It would be a good start to see if the average homebrewer could go above and beyond.
Maybe a stepping stone.

Anyone else thought of this? The two shows peeked my interest. I know selling hops and selling beer are two different things....but.......maybe....just maybe?

thoughts?

-Munch

I think that this sort of idea was addressed a bit in the nano and partner brewing Session. In order to sell your beer, it has to be produced in an inspector-approved brewery (i.e. not your kitchen). I believe that the key words used were 'separate permitted structure'. So even for nano brewing, you need to have a shed or some commercial space where the beer is produced.

So, I guess the question becomes whether you could potentially form a co-op that owns the brewery and take turns brewing the beer? I've thought that such a system might work well enough, as long as there is some oversight (i.e. someone to stop any coop member from making expensive mistakes) and full-time staff to do office work, sales, delivery - the kind of stuff that we never think about when we're fantasizing about going pro. That said, the co-op model seems to work really well for some restaurants, so why not for breweries?

Max

There is a co-op here in Utah, a few of the micro's got together to get a large facility with a bottling line. Seems to work well for them.

Sorry I don't know the details of how its ran.