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means that you can make more money while making less beer . Growth happens by increasing traffic to your brewery . Taprooms are increasingly becoming event centers featuring live music , RV parking , festivals , games , and other activities . Massachusetts brewery Treehouse , so popular it ’ s not uncommon to have hourlong waits in line to buy cases of their beer , recently purchased and is now operating a golf course . Breweries are installing full service kitchens and producing more than just beer . It ’ s not uncommon to find seltzers , cider , and even liquor being produced at the same brewery . Gen Z looks like they ’ re on board too . They may be consuming less , but beer is the drink of moderation . Breweries are giving them active , safe , and comfortable spaces for them to socialize . Craft brewery culture also tends to support local communities which is something Gen Z is proving to be very passionate about .
When it comes time to expand to other markets , the old way would have been to contract your current distributor or find other distributors to sell your beer in those areas . Now it ’ s becoming common to open new taprooms in these markets . These taprooms will sell the products made at the main brewery or can produce their own . This streamline also ensures that the beer spends less time in storage and gets to the patron ’ s glass in the freshest condition .
Even with the reduced variety , I ’ m still managing to keep a wide array of styles on tap by ordering from multiple distributors and making often creative deals with the breweries themselves . Many times we get requests to carry beer from a brewery someone visited . More than likely it ’ s a brewery that has chosen to go off-grid and the only way to enjoy those beers is to visit the brewery . Get some to go next time , I ’ ll be more than happy to try it . I just won ’ t be able to sell it . Even if I were to drive out to the brewery myself and buy a keg , I wouldn ’ t be able to legally bring it back to the pub . That requires a license to transport that my retail permit doesn ’ t allow me to have . Still , even if I can ’ t sell it , if the beer ’ s as great as they say , it will be worth the trip .
Chris Keller has worked in beer sales for a distributor , as a brewer for Saint Arnold Brewing Co . in Houston , and is the owner of Pint and Barrel Drafthouse in Palestine , Texas .
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