Back in 2002, then Chancellor Gordon Brown initiated the ‘small breweries’ relief scheme, commonly referred to as Progressive Beer Duty (PBD). This incentive provided substantial tax breaks to small breweries and paved the way for a brewing revolution. Breweries producing fewer than ten million pints became eligible for a significant discount on the duty they pay. Extra small breweries producing a mere 5,000 hectolitres annually enjoy a 50 percent reduction in duty compared to the large breweries.
For aspiring brewers, the revelation of this tax relief should serve as a source of reassurance – starting a microbrewery and purchasing microbrewery equipment is not as daunting as it may seem. In 2000, the UK had around 500 breweries. By 2016, the number soared to 1,700, with no signs of slowing down. According to the Brewers Association, craft microbreweries in the US from 2015 to 2017 also underwent a 21 percent increase, reaching an impressive 3,132.
Is it Easy to Brew and Start a Microbrewery?
If you want to set up a microbrewery, the prospect offers two primary routes. One can either begin as a home-brewer, improving through personal experimentation, or opt for an apprenticeship at an established brewery to learn from professionals.
Home brewing has evolved, becoming more easy and accessible than ever. Dedicated websites and shops cater to the hobby, and provide resources and equipment for enthusiasts. Brewing itself, a seemingly complex process, is surprisingly straightforward. Four key ingredients – water, yeast, hops, and a form of sugar – form the foundation. Malted barley serves as the sugar source, germinating in a mash to convert starches into fermentable sugars.
The color palette of the beer arises from the grains, with lighter beers originating from paler grains and darker hues achieved through roasting. Boiling the liquid, known as wort, is an important step where hops are added to impart bitterness. The boiling stage lasts up to 90 minutes and additional hops can be added to enhance the flavor.
Post-cooling, the wort moves to a fermenter, usually a large stainless steel vat, where yeast is introduced. The final step involves conditioning and allowing the yeast to settle, with variations depending on the desired beer type.
From Home Brewing to Microbrewery
Once home brewing is achieved, the leap to a microbrewery presents its own set of challenges which revolves around finances and acquiring large-scale equipment. Try to attract investors to overcome this hurdle. The crux of this discourse is clear: the challenge in starting a microbrewery lies in capital acquisition. Once this hurdle is overcome, the path to setting up a successful microbrewery and purchasing commercial brewery equipment becomes relativel
y easy.