Steps to Starting a Commercial Kombucha Brewery（2）

Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits

In order to legally operate a kombucha brewery, you will need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits. This can involve applying for a food production license, health permit, as well as any other licenses or permits that may be required by your state or local government.  Be sure to research the specific requirements and to allow sufficient time for the application process.  It is important to research and comply with the local, state, and federal regulations, to avoid legal problems and fines.

• Identifying the relevant authorities

• Identifying the licenses and permits you need

• Researching the requirements and standards

• Determining the requirements for obtaining licenses and permits

• Preparing the necessary documents

• Submitting the applications and fees

• Following up on applications and approvals

Selecting & purchasing (or leasing) the necessary equipment

In order to produce kombucha, you’ll need to purchase or lease the appropriate equipment.  This can include kettles, fermentation tanks, bottling and labeling equipment, and other specialized tools and machinery.  Be sure to research the different options, compare prices and features, and carefully evaluate the cost-benefit of purchasing versus leasing.

• Identifying the equipment requirements and preferences

• Researching the equipment options

• Evaluating potential equipment options

• Selecting the equipment and the suppliers

• Negotiating and purchasing your equipment

• Having a contingency plan

• Purchasing the equipment and receiving the delivery

• Conducting a thorough analysis of your equipment’s strengths and weaknesses

• Developing a plan for the managing and optimization of your equipment

Building out the brewery

In all likelihood you will need to do some remodeling of your space to accommodate its new use as a brewery.  It’s important to what the code requirements and permitting requirements are before you sign a lease and before you start building.  Remember the old adage to measure twice so you only have to cut once?

• Identifying the space requirements

• Developing a timeline and a budget for your project

• Determining the brewery’s layout and creating plans for permitting

• Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits

• Selecting and purchasing materials

• Hiring and managing contractors

• Constructing the brewery’s physical space

• Creating and maintaining detailed and accurate records

• Installing and testing the brewery’s equipment

• Conducting a thorough inspection and evaluation of your space

• Final inspections and permitting

Establishing a supply chain

Your kombucha brewery will require a steady supply of raw materials, such as tea, sugar, water, and starter culture, to produce high-quality kombucha.  You should establish a robust and reliable supply chain, to ensure that you have access to the raw materials and resources that you need, to produce high-quality kombucha.  You should research and compare different suppliers, to choose the ones that can provide you with the best quality, price, and service.

• Identifying the raw materials, key ingredients, and supplies needed for your production

• Researching relevant food safety operations

• Researching and evaluating potential suppliers

• Establishing relationships with suppliers

• Negotiating contracts and agreements

• Establishing a system for transportation and logistics

• Developing a system for tracking and managing inventory

• Developing a system for managing and tracking costs

• Implementing a quality control system

• Continuously monitoring and improving your supply chain

Developing policies & procedures

In order to make consistent, quality kombucha with every batch, it’s important to detail and document your production procedures in a written manual.  It also makes training new employees far quicker and far less costly than trying to train without them.  Remember, training videos are a huge help as well — and they aren’t going on youtube, so the don’t need to be glamorous.  It’s also important to document the other policies and procedures within your business.

• Researching the basics of kombucha production

• Developing a flowchart or diagram of the production process

• Identifying the key steps and processes involved in kombucha production

• Establishing guidelines and standards for each step

• Developing a system for tracking and managing production

• Developing procedures for dealing with issues and problems

• Training your staff on production procedures

• Continuously monitoring and improving production procedures

• Developing procedures for ensuring food safety

• Developing procedures for quality control

• Developing procedures for emergency situations

• Developing procedures for product recalls

• Developing procedures for maintaining and servicing equipment

• Developing procedures for inventory management

• Developing procedures for customer service

• Developing procedures for product development and innovation

• Developing procedures for sustainability

• Developing procedures for partnering with organizations