Beall Brewery Insurance would like to wish all your craft brewery a very happy and productive New Year!

Of course, we hope you took advantage of our suggestions for ways to prepare your brewery for a productive—and profitable—year. But now we’d also like to draw your attention to some predictions for what 2017 has in store for the industry.

Predictions for 2017

• Ongoing tension between Big Beer and Craft Beer. With the consolidation of SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev, Big Beer is more powerful than ever. But Craft Beer continues to grow at a rapid pace. Watch for: more acquisitions of craft breweries.
• Last year ended with a record-breaking 5005 craft breweries operating across the United States. How will each differentiate itself from the crowd? Watch for: development of new beer styles and flavor profiles, a reach back toward historic beer styles and brewing methods, and ever-quirkier brewery-centered events (move over, brewery yoga!).
• Growing litigiousness. Yes, the craft beer industry is known for its camaraderie—but business is business. As brewery numbers continue to climb, and brewery (and beer) names seem to grow scarcer, more and more breweries will take to legal action to protect their product and their business. Watch for: more headlines about lawsuits.
• Sharper focus on the consumer. One more time: there are a lot of breweries out there. Liquor stores and grocery stores offer an increasingly diverse craft beer selection. How can your craft brewery stand out from the pack and make a connection with the consumer? Watch for: expanding events calendars, unique “club” membership perks, increasing focus on tasting room amenities.

What This Means for Your Craft Brewery

While we can’t say for certain what this new year will hold, we can certainly encourage you to be prepared for a crowded marketplace and more discerning customers.

Wishing you a fruitful 2017!

For more than 25 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., offers the Craft Beer Advantage, a specialty craft beer insurance program tailored for craft breweries, microbreweries, brew pubs, and contract breweries. With California offices in Redlands and Newport Beach, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.