Greedo said:
Thanks for taking the time to do that. That's all brilliant stuff.
That is exactly the course he's looking to go on. He's unsure whether to to the 3 week one though or the 3 month diploma. Reckon he's better doing the 3 month one as there is a lot more practical on site involved with that one. as I had a look at their site.
Any other questions and I'll give you a shout if that's okay??
Cheers again
Sounds like good advice.
Just spoke to my boss, who does the beer buying for his village social club/hall thingy. He loves a good pint of real ale, as do most of the villagers, apparently. The only lager they have on draught is Becks.
Anyway, beer usually comes from the local wholesale suppliers. So if he is brewing barrels of the stuff, then encouraging local wholesalers to stock it is the first step, then persuading local free houses to try it is the second. Some beer is bought direct from the brewery, particularly if it is requested. Some won't deliver, so has to go through a wholesalers.
He likes Woods beer, as it keeps longer than other ales - probably due to it being filtered during manufacture. Again, options and choices, USPs and all that.
There are also a number of collectives, or that sort of thing, where marketing/distribution is done via a larger organisation, which can also sort out making sure that barrels get back to the brewery after they are emptied, although via a circuitous route. Sorry - haven't got any further detais.
I buy bottles from Farmer's markets, so I guess that is a good place to start for the bottled market. Get the feeling that it isn't the highest sales output, but a good way to get your stuff out there. I guess the supermarket route can be tricky unless you are a TV star, so best to build a reputation first.
)
