I answered a question the other day about optimal size of brewpubs and would a small space work. I’d like to expand on that a bit if I could. Most of my breweries have been on the small side, with the exception of the Palisade Brewery, which is a packaging brewery. But here we are talking brewpubs and when I think of the seven breweries I have owned, the one that sticks out above all the rest is the little brewpub I built in my mountain town of Ridgway, Colorado.
This model has served us well at Strange Craft Beer Company for the last eleven years, straying only once for three years when we distributed cases of bombers to 140 liquor stores. That detour equated to a huge increase in business complexity, stress, and hours worked, not to mention an insane p.i.t.a. accounts receivable, all for a small increase in net revenue after deducting increased cost of goods sold, labor, and delivery costs. As a father of two beautiful children, one with special needs, it is more important to me to be home in the evenings and on weekends than building a brewery empire. Quality of life has to be taken into account when creating your brewery business plan. I pass through Ridgway at least once a year, and have only caught Tom in his brewery on one occasion, as he's usually out on a hike with his wife, or travelling to some faraway place. Tom has long been an inspiration to me and the perfect example of making a small brewery successful.
Hey Tom! I’ve read all three of your books now and after reading them I did purchase one of these tanks. I was originally going to use it as a mash tun but now I’m thinking about using it as a fermenter. I do have a question though, after looking at the tank, I have no idea where to connect the glycol line. The only port I see on the tank is the outlet port. Any help would be great, thanks!
This model has served us well at Strange Craft Beer Company for the last eleven years, straying only once for three years when we distributed cases of bombers to 140 liquor stores. That detour equated to a huge increase in business complexity, stress, and hours worked, not to mention an insane p.i.t.a. accounts receivable, all for a small increase in net revenue after deducting increased cost of goods sold, labor, and delivery costs. As a father of two beautiful children, one with special needs, it is more important to me to be home in the evenings and on weekends than building a brewery empire. Quality of life has to be taken into account when creating your brewery business plan. I pass through Ridgway at least once a year, and have only caught Tom in his brewery on one occasion, as he's usually out on a hike with his wife, or travelling to some faraway place. Tom has long been an inspiration to me and the perfect example of making a small brewery successful.
Cheers My Friend!
Tim Myers
Head Brewer - Founder
Strange Craft Beer Company
Denver, Colorado
Hey Tom! I’ve read all three of your books now and after reading them I did purchase one of these tanks. I was originally going to use it as a mash tun but now I’m thinking about using it as a fermenter. I do have a question though, after looking at the tank, I have no idea where to connect the glycol line. The only port I see on the tank is the outlet port. Any help would be great, thanks!