The following explains the various brewery categories listed in our directory as defined by the Brewers Association:
Microbrewery: A brewery that produces less than 15,000 bbls of beer per year and sells 75% or more of its beer off-site.
Brewpub:
A restaurant-brewery that sells 25% or more of its beer on-site and operates significant food services.
Taproom Brewery:
A professional brewery that sells 25% or more of its beer on-site and does not operate significant food services.
Regional Brewery:
A brewery with an annual production of between 15,000 and 6,000,000 barrels.
Contract Brewing Company: A business that hires another brewery to produce its beer. It can also be a brewery that hires another brewery to produce additional beer. The contract brewing company handles marketing, sales, and distribution of its beer, while generally leaving the brewing and packaging to its producer-brewery.
Alternating Proprietorship:
A licensed tenant brewery that physically takes possession of a shared brewery while brewing. In contrast to contract brewers, alternating proprietorships are the brewery of record for all the obligations of a licensed brewery, including record keeping, tax payments, and label or formula approval.
Brewery-in-Planning:
A brewing business in the start-up phases of building their brewery and brand. A brewery-in-planning is typically not yet licensed to brew, package, and distribute beer.
