I’ve got three major things to discuss so I suppose I will divide them into three separate posts:

1) Business

2) European vacation

3) Recent brews

So, let’s talk Business.

Money Making Money

So, the last time I updated, I was working a short-term consulting contract (not beer-related) so I could pay the bills. Well, the contract ended in April and I haven’t been working since. Needless to say, things are beginning to get tight around here. I am not destitute and I do have enough to live on for another 6 months at least, but then I’ll have no savings. So, there’s that. I’m working on lining up some contracts to pay the bills, but hopefully some industry-related work will come along.

My consulting job pays well, but when I’m on corporate contracts that have nothing to do with beer or the industry, I feel as though I’m wasting precious time that could be spent further learning about things that will help the journey of my beer business. Plus, the last few contracts I’ve had have been mind-numbingly boring. :)

So, pecuniary issues aside, I’ve been working on determining next steps. The path I take depends on one major factor: whether or not I have a business partner.

Business Partner Update: The Search Continues

As of yet, I have not found a business partner, and it’s become a bit discouraging. I’ve received a few emails from people who are also looking for partners, but they have either been in other states (and not looking to relocate) or looking to open a brew pub, which is not what I am currently looking for.

I don’t know when and if I will ever find a business partner. It’s one of those things that I can’t determine, so what I’m doing now is trying to do what I can by myself. Which leads me to…

Plan B Becomes Plan A

In previous entries, I explained that my goal is to open a package brewery. Ideally, I’d like to establish the company, raise the money, and build (or rehab a building) the brewery and get going.

I know that’s a huge undertaking, but that’s the goal.

However, in the back of my mind, I did have a backup plan. Plan B involves initially contracting out the brewing to a reputable contract brewer for a year or two. This will give me time to establish the brand throughout the city, raise money, and hopefully make some money, too. At that point, I can work on building the brewery and doing the brewing in-house.

The only caveat I really have about this is that I (or someone representing Robey Street) be on site to oversee all brewing. I’ve done some research on contract breweries and they can vary from really awesome and reliable to kind of sketchy and unapproachable. I do know a few contract breweries that come well-recommended.

I originally balked at this idea, because I won’t be the one brewing MY BEER, but that’s the trade-off. It’ll be more financially realistic and probably a safer route for me to take. Plus a lot of major brewers have had success with contracting their brewing out (whether it be as an initial step or permanently).

So, I’m currently writing my business plan with contract brewing in mind.

Not much else to talk about on the business planning side of things. I admit that I’ve been pretty lazy over the past few months. To be fair, I have been doing a lot of serious thinking, but I don’t have a lot to show for it. :)

Here’s a brief update on what I’ve been up to:

1. Attending all sorts of beer-related events. If it’s related to beer, I’m there. I’ve toured most of the Chicago breweries and hope to check out the new Revolution Brewing pub soon. I also purchased tickets to Night of the Living Ales happening in March.

2. Attending all sorts of entrepreneurship/business-related events. Earlier this week, the Business School at Kendall College put on a workshop for entrepreneurs. Some Northwestern Law School students were there talking about the common legal issues that entrepreneurs face when starting a business. While most of what they covered was stuff I already knew about, it did give me another perspective on incorporating as an S-corp rather than an LLC. I have been researching the best way to structure the company for almost 5 months now, and I think I’ve finally decided how I want to do it. It all depends on how I’m going to fund this venture!

3. Reading, reading, and more reading on beer, brewing, brewery history, beer news, and various business books. Last week I finished the “The History of Beer and Brewing in Chicago, Volume 2” by Bob Skilnik and have started The Wall Street Journal’s “Complete Small Business Guidebook.” by Colleen DeBlaise.

4. Continuing to talk with #beer people, business people, and anyone who wants to hear about Robey Street!

5. Working on new brew recipes. Today I’m bottling the MLK & Cookie Stout and will be trying to fit in the brew day for the Belgian Rose Witbier sometime next week.

6. Participating in a BJCP study group starting next week.

7. Continuing to fill in sections of my business plan.

8. Planning the (rescheduled from December) Robey Street Fundraising Party, tentatively scheduled for March!

Taking a few days off to celebrate my 30th birthday. I’ll be in SoCal and hope to check out a few breweries while I’m there (Stone is #1 on the list, followed by Lost Abbey and Green Flash). Of course I’ll be posting about that, too. :)

CHEERS!

Check out the birthday card I got from my parents :)

Birthday Card