In 2018, the number of craft breweries in the US grew 13% to 7,450 (Brewers Association). That’s a lot of breweries! With all that competition out there, you’re probably looking for ways to set your brewery apart and keep your revenue on the rise. Private events could be the answer you’re looking. They’re a great way to reach new audiences, delight customers and get groups through your doors. Plus, adding brewery events to your revenue stream can help you offset your start-up costs.

Brewery Events

Not only can private events drive revenue, they’ll bring in people who may not otherwise know about you. You might end up with guests who are new to your brewery or to the craft beer scene in general. Either way, once they’ve visited your brewery, they’re likely to return or to order your beer when they see it on tap.

When you brewery is just getting off the ground, private events can provide some planned revenue. You can take a look at the next few months and stress less knowing you have confirmed events. There’s room for creativity when deciding what kinds of events to host, too. These days, everything from corporate happy hours to wedding receptions are held in non-traditional spaces like breweries.

As Jason Santamaria of Second Shelf Beer Co. says, “Breweries…are pretty flexible. Typically, they have an alternative and open space – it’s not as stuffy as a traditional event space. They don’t have catering minimums, and the guests get some great beer.”

How to Start Your Brewery Private Events Business

We’ve found there are six steps you need to take to get started. This how-to guide includes best practices on all things events (from marketing to paperwork), and exclusive first-hand accounts from other breweries who have successfully launched events programs. And the best news is that it’s free! You can download it today.

Here’s a preview:

1. Money

Figure out your pricing and therefore, your event business profit.

2. Marketing

Get the word out that you’re hosting and highlight what makes your beer and your space unique.

3. Set Up Your Processes

Teamwork makes the dream work. Put plans in place and communicate them to your team so you can collect leads and start booking events.

4. Paperwork

Covering your business is a necessity! And so is communicating with your customers. The paperwork helps you do both.

5. Welcome

Open up for events and get people in the door.

6. The Follow Up

Get feedback, close the books, and keep the relationship going.

Find out all the details in our guide. Once you’re ready to take your events to the next level, take a look at Gather’s easy-to-use events management platform.

Katy Mullet
Content Marketing Manager

I'm the Content Marketing Manager here at Gather. Outside of writing and creating campaigns, I love to try new restaurants here in Atlanta or wherever I'm traveling.