Craft drinks brand made at a partner brewery

Local bars and restaurants, independent shops and, where the province allows, direct buyers. Sales may go through the provincial liquor board.

You sell each batch at a price above your production, packaging and delivery costs. Margins are thinner than owning the kit, but upfront costs are much lower.

• Recipe development and taste testing
• Branding and label design
• Selling to bars and shops
• Planning batches and cash flow

• Rules on who must hold the licence and excise registration vary by province and product, so check before signing a deal
• Label rules for alcohol content, allergens and, in Quebec, French-language requirements
• Minimum batch sizes tie up cash, and unsold stock has a shelf life
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
• Reliance on one partner producer, so put the agreement in writing

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on batch sizes, packaging and label design, and insurance. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your sales channels.

Rules on who must hold the licence and excise registration vary by province and product, so check before signing a deal. Also check label rules for alcohol content and allergens, Quebec French-language requirements, and insurance such as commercial general liability and product liability.

Minimum batch sizes tie up cash, and unsold stock has a shelf life. Relying on one partner producer is also a risk, so put the agreement in writing. The estimate suggests at least about 15 hours per week.