Start an online home brewing supply shop

Hobby brewers, people trying their first kit, and gift buyers, plus keen home brewers who want better ingredients than their local store carries.

Markup on products sold, plus extra from starter bundles and recipe kits. Repeat orders for yeast, hops and sanitizer keep sales steady.

• Basic knowledge of home brewing
• Stock and order management
• Online selling and photography
• Customer service and advice

• Shipping heavy items like grain and glass can be costly and breakage is a risk, so check carrier rates and packaging
• Hops and yeast are perishable, so check storage and shelf life
• Collect GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules, which differ by province
• Selling alcohol itself is regulated, so stick to ingredients and equipment and check your provincial liquor regulator if you plan anything else
• Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality, and consider commercial general liability and product insurance

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website, how much stock you hold yourself versus ship from suppliers, and your packaging supplies.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your range, pricing, shipping costs and how many home brewers you reach. Treat these as estimates, not guarantees.

Check when to collect GST/HST and your provincial sales tax rules. Selling alcohol itself is regulated, so check with your provincial liquor regulator before going beyond ingredients and equipment, and check home-based business licensing and insurance.