Brewery Industry Challenges Today

If you rewind back to March of 2020, the sky was falling on the brewing industry. Since then, breweries have come a long way. Unfortunately, there are still some challenges the industry faces today.

Rising Labor Costs

Rising labor costs are a significant challenge for breweries today, making it essential to find innovative ways to maintain profitability without compromising service quality. One effective strategy is to leverage advanced technology to implement hybrid service models. By integrating solutions like self-ordering kiosks, mobile ordering, and digital payment systems, breweries can streamline operations and reduce the reliance on a large workforce. These technologies not only help manage labor expenses but also enhance the customer experience by offering more flexible and efficient service options.

Hybrid service models allow breweries to optimize staff deployment, reserving human interactions for high-touch moments while automating routine tasks. For example, customers can order and pay through their smartphones, freeing up staff to focus on delivering personalized experiences and managing higher-value tasks. By embracing this approach, breweries can navigate the pressures of rising labor costs while still providing top-notch service that keeps guests coming back.

Fostering Loyalty & Engaging Guests

Fostering loyalty and engaging guests are crucial for sustained success. Breweries can boost revenue and create a dedicated customer base by leveraging GoTab’s membership functionality. Whether you’re establishing a Mug Club or offering recurring annual, quarterly, or weekly memberships, these programs provide exclusive benefits that keep patrons coming back, enhancing both community ties and profitability.

Additionally, breweries can collect valuable first-party data through mobile ordering, allowing for more personalized marketing efforts. By understanding your guests' preferences, you can create targeted promotions and communications that resonate, keeping your audience engaged and encouraging repeat visits. This data-driven approach is key to overcoming modern brewery challenges and ensuring long-term growth.
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Engaging Non-Beer Drinkers

As the craft beer industry matures and quality brews become widely accessible, breweries must expand their offerings to attract non-beer drinkers for sustained growth. Embracing alternatives like nitro cold brew, in-house root beer, and mocktails can help diversify your menu and appeal to a broader audience. Nitro cold brew, easily served through existing taps with minimal adjustments, offers a smooth, trendy beverage option that can be served creatively, such as alongside brunch or mixed with stout. Root beer, a nostalgic favorite, can be a hit with kids and non-drinkers alike, while mocktails provide a sophisticated, alcohol-free alternative that enhances the overall experience for all patrons.

In addition to diversifying drink options, breweries should also focus on creating a seamless to-go experience to meet customer expectations for convenience. By optimizing your point-of-sale system for frictionless to-go orders, incorporating easy promotions, and possibly offering six-packs or mixed drinks to go, you can boost sales and ensure repeat business. These strategies not only expand your customer base but also position your brewery as a versatile and welcoming space for everyone, whether they’re enjoying drinks in your taproom or from the comfort of their home.

Environmental Impacts For Breweries

An issue of concern to many breweries relates to the importance of maintaining clean water supplies. Many craft beers require the use of water containing specific mineral combinations. Every gallon of craft beer results in up to seven gallons of water during the production process. Environmental disasters that threaten the purity of drinking water in a particular location can potentially heavily impact nearby brewing businesses.

Monetizing Existing Space

Increasing revenue in breweries often hinges on effective space utilization, and events present a significant opportunity to generate new income streams. By leveraging your brewery's unique ambiance and marketing its versatility, you can transform your taproom into a profitable event venue. Capturing the essence of your space through stunning visuals on your website, hosting events that showcase your capabilities, and engaging local businesses can position your brewery as a community hub. Bringing in an event coordinator can further enhance your event offerings, creating memorable experiences that keep patrons coming back.

To attract a broader audience and drive consistent traffic, breweries can tap into modern social trends, such as collaborating with sports leagues or hosting niche events like drag bingo or taproom yoga. These activities not only bring in new patrons but also help establish your brewery as a go-to destination for social gatherings. Tools like GoTab and Tripleseat can streamline the event management process, from booking to execution, making large-scale events more manageable and profitable. By integrating these technologies, you can elevate the guest experience, handle events efficiently, and ultimately boost your brewery's bottom line.

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To face these challenges, explore GoTab's Brewery POS Features and request a demo today

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