Small brewery with a taproom

Local drinkers visiting the taproom, plus nearby bars, restaurants and shops buying kegs or packaged beer.

Taproom pints and takeaway cans or growlers carry the best margins. Wholesale kegs and packaged sales add volume.

• Brewing know-how, from homebrewing or a job in a brewery
• Running a small venue and serving customers
• Managing costs, stock and equipment

• Federal TTB brewer's permit, state and local alcohol licenses. Timelines can run for months, so check early
• Zoning, building codes, fire safety and drainage requirements for the space
• Health department rules if you serve food or allow outside food
• General liability, liquor liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• High startup costs and long hours. Plan cash reserves for a slow first year

Startup costs are typically around $100,000 to $500,000, depending on your brewing system, the space and the fit-out. These are estimates, so plan cash reserves to cover a slow first year.

Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on taproom traffic and keg or can sales to nearby bars and shops. These are estimates, and they assume at least about 40 hours a week.

Check the federal TTB brewer's permit and state and local alcohol license timelines early, as they can run for months. Also check zoning, building codes, fire safety, drainage, and health department rules if you serve food.