Craft Beer startup in Huntington WV
Donation protected
I have a love for craft beer. I've been a homebrewer since the early 90's. So now that the craft beer revolution of growth is here, I'm happy to see it.
Owning a small brewery was always a dream of mine, but at times it was obvious the laws in WV regarding "the little guy" doing such a thing were just not favorable.
Well, I'm happy to report it seems like that is changing. The state is stepping closer and closer to embracing the laws and practices that other states have enjoyed for years - that foster the growth of craft beer and the tax revenue stream that goes with it.
Over the years, I've taken little steps - secured business licenses, constructed a brand, developed beer recipies, and tweeked a constantly updated business plan.
This year, the city of Huntington, WV put in place an ordinance to allow small breweries in residential areas so long as they were using a self distribution business model and did not have on premise consumption.
I plan to test this new opportunity...
I've spent the last 20 years working for a large company - content working day to day as most Americans do. But this past quarter there were massive layoffs... and they came really close to sending me packing. Folks weren't laid off because they were slackers... not because they didn't have their heart in their job... they were laid off because the company decided they just didn't need them anymore... that their work could be absorbed by the remaining employees and they wanted to shovel that saved money into ventures in another country.
Quite frankly this was a huge wake up call for me. I can no longer rely on my employer to respect the "I'll be there to put in a good days work for you as long as you're there for me" mantra I had enjoyed for all these years.
So now the pressure is there to get this off the ground. But why am I asking for help? The next step is ABCA and Federal licensing. I'm trying to raise enough capital to make sure I can keep startup and initial operational expense taken care of until the model becomes self supporting. This also involves starting very small.
I've done enough research to know many claim that starting a small operation just isn't worth it for a number of reasons. But at this point, I don't see that I have much of a choice to get things moving with the capital I have.
I truely believe I can put in the time and sweat equity - along with my associates to make a community brewery that is managed properly and successful.
Your assistance can speed this endevor along. I apprecitate any help you can provide.
Owning a small brewery was always a dream of mine, but at times it was obvious the laws in WV regarding "the little guy" doing such a thing were just not favorable.
Well, I'm happy to report it seems like that is changing. The state is stepping closer and closer to embracing the laws and practices that other states have enjoyed for years - that foster the growth of craft beer and the tax revenue stream that goes with it.
Over the years, I've taken little steps - secured business licenses, constructed a brand, developed beer recipies, and tweeked a constantly updated business plan.
This year, the city of Huntington, WV put in place an ordinance to allow small breweries in residential areas so long as they were using a self distribution business model and did not have on premise consumption.
I plan to test this new opportunity...
I've spent the last 20 years working for a large company - content working day to day as most Americans do. But this past quarter there were massive layoffs... and they came really close to sending me packing. Folks weren't laid off because they were slackers... not because they didn't have their heart in their job... they were laid off because the company decided they just didn't need them anymore... that their work could be absorbed by the remaining employees and they wanted to shovel that saved money into ventures in another country.
Quite frankly this was a huge wake up call for me. I can no longer rely on my employer to respect the "I'll be there to put in a good days work for you as long as you're there for me" mantra I had enjoyed for all these years.
So now the pressure is there to get this off the ground. But why am I asking for help? The next step is ABCA and Federal licensing. I'm trying to raise enough capital to make sure I can keep startup and initial operational expense taken care of until the model becomes self supporting. This also involves starting very small.
I've done enough research to know many claim that starting a small operation just isn't worth it for a number of reasons. But at this point, I don't see that I have much of a choice to get things moving with the capital I have.
I truely believe I can put in the time and sweat equity - along with my associates to make a community brewery that is managed properly and successful.
Your assistance can speed this endevor along. I apprecitate any help you can provide.
Organizer
Travis King
Organizer
Huntington, WV
