Barrel broker for local craft producers

Craft breweries making barrel-aged beer, small distilleries, wineries, cideries, and makers of vinegar, hot sauce or other barrel-aged foods.

You buy barrels at one price and sell at a higher one, or earn a commission per barrel. Repeat orders from the same producers matter most.

• Sales and relationship building
• Knowing barrel types, sizes and wood
• Organizing orders and freight

• Barrels that held spirits may contain leftover alcohol, so check TTB and state rules on moving and reselling them
• Freight costs and damage: barrels are heavy and can leak or dry out in transit, so agree who bears the risk
• Quality and cleanliness: a barrel with off flavors or infection can ruin a batch, so be honest about its history
• Check your state for a resale certificate and sales tax registration
• Check your city or county for a business license and any home occupation rules

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your setup. These are estimates. Barrels ship direct from the source to the buyer, so you hold little or no stock and work from home.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many craft producers you supply. Treat this as an estimate, and allow for freight costs and damage risk, since barrels are heavy and can leak in transit.

Barrels that held spirits may contain leftover alcohol, so check TTB and state rules on moving and reselling them. Also check your state for a resale certificate and sales tax registration, and your city or county for a business license and home occupation rules.