Step-by-step guide to starting a successful Breweries business.
In the US you need a federal Brewer's Notice from the TTB plus state and often local licenses, and the mix — manufacturing, taproom sales, distribution rights — varies significantly by state. Start the paperwork long before you plan to open, because approval timelines are commonly the bottleneck for launch dates and any pre-opening marketing.
Taproom pints carry far better margins and build the direct relationship, so most new breweries maximize taproom traffic first. Distribution extends reach but adds logistics, pricing pressure, and dependence on placements you do not control — treat early self-distribution to a few loyal accounts as marketing rather than a profit center.
Relationships and reliability beat cold pitches: bring samples to beer bars personally, offer to run a tap takeover night with your team present, and never miss a delivery. Bars keep handles that pour through consistently, so promote your placements to your own audience and help the account sell your beer.
For a new brewery, usually yes — pouring for a few thousand attendees builds recognition you cannot buy, and festival crowds actively log what they taste on Untappd. Choose festivals within driving distance of your taproom so impressed tasters can actually convert into visitors, and bring something distinctive rather than your safest beer.