The Steps To Starting A Brewery In Australia

If you've ever dreamed of starting your own micro or commercial brewery, now is the time to make it happen!

As the popularity of craft beer continues to rise in Australia, there is ample market space for unique, delicious, high-quality beer products.

We know the steps to opening a brewery in Australia can be daunting, so in this blog post we’ll outline and detail the process you need to go through to open your dream brewery.

Let’s take a closer look!

Steps to Brewery Success: Plan to Perfect!

The first step in starting a brewery is creating a business plan. This document will outline your product, target market, marketing strategy, and financial goals. Creating a clear and concise business plan will make it easier for you to get the funding you need and get off to a successful start.

Legal Stuff to Launch your Brewery

After you have a solid business plan, it’s time to start making moves towards putting your brewery together! Setting up appropriate taxing for the structure of the business, as well as acquiring licenses and permits are all legal requirements for your operation.

Licenses and Permits for your Brewery

No matter the structure of your brewery, you will need to apply for the relevant licenses and permits. The type of licenses you require will depend on the business structure you choose. For example, if you operate as a sole trader, you will need to apply for a personal license. If you operate as a company, you will need to apply for a company license.

The specific licenses and permits required for all Australian brewery businesses include:

• Producer/Wholesaler’s License: A Producer/Wholesaler’s License is required in order to manufacture or wholesale beer in Australia. This license is issued by the Office of Liquor, Gaming, and Racing in each state.

• Excise Tax License: An Excise Tax License is required in order to produce beer that is subject to excise tax. This license is issued by the Australian Taxation Office.

• Beer Labelling Permit: A Beer Labelling Permit is required to label beer products for sale in Australia. This permit is issued by the Australian Department of Health.

It is important to note that brewery licenses and permits are issued at both the federal and state level. This means that you will need to apply for both federal and state licenses to legally operate your brewery.

When applying for your Australian licenses and permits, you will be required to provide various documents, such as your business plan, proof of identity, and certified copies of relevant qualifications. You may also be required to pay application fees, so be prepared to factor these into your initial costs.

How to Apply for a Brewery License or Permit in Australia?

Applying for a brewery license or permit can be a complex and time-consuming process. The first step is to determine which licenses and permits you need to legally operate your brewery. Getting assistance from a business lawyer can be greatly helpful in this step of the process. Once you have this information, you can begin the application process.

It is important to note that the application process for brewery licenses and permits can vary depending on the state in which you are applying. For example, some states require applicants to undergo a police check, while others do not.

The best way to ensure that you are completing the application process correctly is to seek assistance from a professional services provider who specialises in liquor licensing. This will save you time and ensure that your application is successful.

The timeframe for obtaining a brewery license or permit in Australia can vary depending on the state in which you are applying. In some states, such as Victoria, it can take up to six months to obtain a license. We suggest beginning the application process as early as possible to ensure that you have everything in order before you start brewing beer.

What Equipment Will I Need to Start My Brewery?

To start your brewery effectively and on the right foot, you will need a number of pieces of equipment. The list below is not exhaustive so you might need more equipment, depending on the type and size of the brewery you want to open. Our expert team are here to advise you on the ideal types of tech you require for your set up!

Some of the essential items you will need are:

• Brewhouse System (from 2V Micro brewhouses to 4V large systems)

• Cleaning System (CIP carts, CIP station, etc)

• Cellar Tanks (Fermentation tank, Brite tank, CLT, HLT, Storage and more)

• Centrifuge

• Controlling System (PLC control board, refrigerator board, meter controlling board)

It is incredibly important to invest in quality brewery equipment from the beginning as this will have a direct impact on the quality of your beer. Inferior quality equipment can lead to inconsistencies in your brewing process, which can result in subpar beer. As such, it is worth spending the extra money during your start up to buy quality, durable brewery equipment that will produce consistent, high-quality beer.

Our DEGONG Tech engineers are highly experienced within the industry. Our goal is to ensure your operations are efficient and seamless through our bespoke engineered solutions.

Brew Site Preparation

Once you have found the perfect location for your brewery and selected your equipment, it is time to start planning, designing, and preparing the site.

There are several things that you need to do in order to get your brewery up and running, such as:

• Survey the site and ensure it is structurally equipped and sound.

• Install brewing equipment.

• Construct a tasting room or taproom.

• Build a cellar or storage space for your beer.

• Set up a keg washer and/or bottle washer.

From start-ups to established businesses, our expert team at DEGONG are ready to help you design and develop your new production system. We use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology to create specialised, individual systems to suit your needs, giving you a competitive edge and enhancing your business growth. We love this tech because it allows you to visually view and modify a blueprint of your brewery in real-time, meaning we can work together to achieve your vision.

Our brewery designs are completely customisable to the needs of your business, and we love the process of working with our clients to design their dream brewery, with a focus on functionality and productivity.

Brewery Installation Process

Once you have prepared the site, it is time to start installing your brewing equipment!

With high-quality equipment such as DEGONG’s, you want expert installation and maintenance. Having manufactured many of our own products, our experienced in-house team and trusted expert partners know how to install and maintain your new equipment for durability and the best results. Proper installation and maintenance by our team will ensure consistent production for years to come.

In Summary

As you can see, the entire process from start to finish is incredibly technical, so when you launch your brewery, we strongly recommend seeking out expert advice. Our DEGONG experts have assisted numerous breweries around Australia, and we are here to help you nail your set up from the jump.

With our vast industry experience, we understand the systems, services, and equipment you need for healthy production of quality beer. Whether you’re seeking a comprehensive 3D design of a production system, bespoke equipment design, engineering, installation and maintenance, or education on new technology, we’ve got you sorted.

Contact us to get the ball rolling on your brewery set up!