Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer

 

Everyone keeps telling you that you really should distribute and go big. And it’s really tempting. You think it would work…but you don’t really know anything about distribution.

 

Well, you’re not alone.

 

Join the many other craft brewers who are in the same boat without a good idea of which way to paddle. Distribution Insight is intended to help you get everything shipshape, raise the sail and hit the starting line at full speed.

 

Distribution Insight offers guidance for the craft brewer new to the world of distribution, answers to often asked questions and puzzling situations that craft brewers may experience while embarking or traveling along the distribution path, and some out-of-the-box ideas for both craft brewers and distributors when troubleshooting an existing distribution relationship.

 

 

 

The Bottom Line

 

Your beer and your brand are important and deserve the best focus and teamwork – all the way from your brewery to the craft beer lover’s hands. The ultimate team is knowledgeable, creative, passionate about the industry, and communicates well on all levels.

 

Go find your team members! Embrace this distribution tier that exists solely to facilitate your success. Create and cultivate that dream team on all levels, such that your beer and your brand can be the most successful that they can possibly be.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

• Forward

• Introduction

• What is a Distributor?

• Why You Need a Distributor

• What to Know Before You Look for a Distributor

• What to Do Before You Look for a Distributor

• Checking Out Your Distribution Options

• Interviewing Distributors

• Distribution Partnerships: Key Elements

• Why Isn’t it Working?

• How Can I Improve the Relationship?

• How Can I Improve the Sales?

• How Can I Get Out?

• How Can the Distributor Get Out?

• Distributor Consolidation

• Brand Valuation

• Summary

• Glossary

• About the Author

 

 

Distributors: This is for You, Too!

 

Attention Distributors:

 

• What do your craft brewery partners expect?

• How can they help you sell their product?

• How can you improve your relationship with them?

• What else should be in your contracts?

• What part should they play in your relationship?

• What profit could you both make from the best possible teamwork?

 

 

All these points and more are covered from an independent distributor’s perspective. See what advice is being given to craft brewers to help you help them succeed with the best possible business relationship. They can’t do it without you, just as you can’t do it without them. Check it out and see what might be helpful to your business and your business relationships.