I am new to brewing, so far I have done 6 or so all grain batches with good success. I own a successful bar and grill and was thinking of brewing my own beer for sale at my bar. I have 18 taps
Any suggestions?
Make sure this is something you want to do because it makes sense for your business, not because you like making beer.
The first thing to do is ask yourself some very important questions.
1) Is there a process to do this that follows law and local codes?
2) Do I have the hours to brew so that I don't run out of beer?
3) Would I make a profit if I have to hire someone?
If you can answer
yes to all of those, you can ask a few more questions that will help you determine what type of system you'll want to install.
You'll very quickly do the math about the cost of installing a legal brewery in your establishment. Wherever you are in the world, there tends to be some government interest in alcohol production.
You should make the assumption that house beer will be at least as popular as your fastest selling beer. Figure that you'll want to make a 4 to 8 week supply of it and any others that you add. This should give you the volume to target. Add 20% for losses and a little time cushion and you have your brewhouse size. Therefore, if you sell a keg per week, that's 800 gallons per year. A two month supply would be about 5 barrels. You could have three house beers on tap and only have to commit one or two days every other week out of your schedule.
So far, that seems pretty straightforward.
You'll need a brewhouse, fermenters, pumps, kegs or serving tanks, keg washer, glycol chiller, drains, water supply and gas for the burners. You'll also need space to store ingredients, empty kegs, and cleaning chemicals. Economically, you will be paying for the beer long before you sell it. Your cost of ingredients will be due just about the time you start selling it and your labor is typically due even sooner. Once you commit it can be very, very difficult to back out because of customer expectations.
