From: jdr@wang.com (Joe Rolfe)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing
Subject: Re: Microbrew?
Date: 11 Jan 93 13:31:45 GMT
Organization: Wang Labs, Lowell MA, USA

fbruno@ysw526 (F. Bruno) writes:

>Can anyone tell me what is needed to start up a microbrewery, i.e.
>permits, taxes, whatever.
>			Thanks
>			Frank


depending on what state your in, first and foremost - get a location....

once the location is found, inquire the city/town zoning (get the answer
in writting - you'll need it later on)

after the town/city has approved your request for the location, the next
step is entirely up to the state your in.

	in massachusetts - start ATF process - look in the phone book/call info
 		for the number of the local ATF Office and ask for all forms
 		required to start a brewery.  lots of 'em. they ask lots of
		questions, the main point is where are the funds comming from.
		they want to see a money trail from the source, has something
		to do wiht keeping the mob out of the brewing industry ( i 
		really dont see how they figure it out with the money trail
		thou....) but it satisfies the need.
 
 	you will need equipment at some point (to show you really intend to
 		start commercial operation.  you will need this before the
 		ATF inspects the location and goes over paper work, your 
 		application forms etc.  this is were you will need the letter 
 		from the town/city (must say that they understand what type
 		of business your entering - environmental issues mostly).
 
 		in your letter explain everything you can about the venture.
 
 	the state is the last item (for mass) you need the federal basic 
 		permit.
 
 in most cases you'll need 2 or 3 bonds one for the ATF, one for the State
 	maybe two for the state, who knows you may even need one for the city.
	these bonds are for the taxes, in general fed tax, at the reduced rate
	is $7.00/BBL, MASS Tax is $3.30/BBL (this state tax varies alot from
	what i have seen so far).

after your licensed you'll have plent'o paper work to keep;
	daily summary of operations, monthly summary of operations
	physical inventory for the month, excise reports (state, fed and ?city?)
	brewers monthly report..... the ATF inspectors will go over these to 
	point.  before commencing operations you have to pay for the ATF 
	special tax stamp (prorated for a year $500/year).

your equipment can generally be anything - i know a guy who started a 
federally licensed brewery with yur average home brew stuff, actually 2 brewers
started this way.  figure on spending anywhere from a few thousand to a few 
hundred thousand - you have many options here depending on what you want to
do.....do not let people tell you it will cost you a few hundred thousand - 
this is enitre bulls**t.  there are some fairly good numbers for $/BBL output.
look around - the New Brewer is an ok mag, try Inst. for Brewing (Charlie P)
and company in Boulder they have a fairly good couple of books/softbacks for
starting a micro - call them in Boulder CO.

i can tell you from experience, brewing 5 gallons is far different than brewing
50,100,200 gallons at a shot, especially when your doing it commercially, for
a living.....allow plenty of time to get familiar with you equipment.  you may
want to enlist the services of a consultant depending on the size....
 
 basically this is it....it is not as bad as they say, just allow 6-9 months,
then you need all the business parts, insurance......
 
 
 joe rolfe 
 jdr@wang.com    
 508-967-5760
-- 
joe rolfe 
jdr@wang.com    
508-967-5760
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing