Breweries around the world are facing an unprecedented challenge with the spread of Covid-19. Many have had to temporarily close their doors, and those that remain open are seeing a significant decrease in sales. This is having a major impact on the craft beer industry as a whole, and it’s still unclear how things will play out in the coming weeks and months. If you’re a fan of craft beer, now is the time to show your support by buying local beers from your favorite brewery!
The Craft Beer Industry
The craft beer industry is composed of small, independently-owned breweries, like Melvin Brewing in Jackson, Wyoming, that produce a limited amount of beer. These breweries are often located in small towns and rural areas, and they rely heavily on tourism for their income. In recent years, the craft beer industry has seen a boom in popularity, with new breweries opening up all over the world. However, this newfound popularity has also made the industry more vulnerable to economic downturns.
What Is Covid-19
Covid-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified in 2019. It’s similar to other coronaviruses that cause respiratory illnesses like SARS and MERS, but it’s much more contagious. The virus spreads through contact with respiratory secretions, and it can cause severe respiratory illness in people of all ages. Symptoms include fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
How Will Covid-19 Affect The Craft Beer Industry
The craft beer industry is facing several challenges in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many breweries have had to temporarily close their doors, and those that remain open are seeing a significant decrease in sales. This is because many bars and restaurants – which are major customers of breweries – have been forced to close their doors as well. In addition, many brewing events have been canceled or postponed, which has further hurt brewery sales.
Some Possible Scenarios
It’s still unclear how the Covid-19 pandemic will play out in the coming weeks and months. However, there are a few possible scenarios that could unfold.
In the best-case scenario, the pandemic will be brought under control relatively quickly and life will return to normal within a few months. In this case, breweries will likely see a decrease in sales for the short term, but they should be able to rebound fairly quickly once things return to normal.
In a more moderate scenario, the pandemic will continue to spread slowly over several months. In this case, breweries may see a more prolonged decline in sales as bars and restaurants continue to close their doors. However, some breweries may be able to offset these losses by selling more beer to grocery stores and online.
In the worst-case scenario, the pandemic will continue to spread unchecked and will cause a prolonged economic downturn. In this case, many breweries will be forced to permanently close their doors. This could have a major impact on the overall craft beer industry, as it would reduce the number of breweries that can produce beer.
How Will Breweries Be Able To Keep Up With Demand While Also Keeping Their Employees Safe
One of the biggest challenges that breweries, like Melvin Brewing, are facing is how to keep up with demand while also keeping their employees safe. Many breweries have had to temporarily close their taprooms and tasting rooms, which has significantly reduced their sales. In addition, many brewing events have been canceled or postponed, which has further hurt brewery sales. As a result, breweries are struggling to keep up with demand while also ensuring that their employees are safe.
One solution that some breweries are considering is selling their beer online. This would allow customers to buy beer directly from the brewery, without having to go into the taproom or tasting room. This would reduce the risk of exposure for both employees and customers. However, it’s still unclear how effective this would be in terms of keeping up with demand.
Another solution that some breweries are considering is increasing production. This would allow them to sell more beer to grocery stores and other retailers. However, this would require additional staff and equipment, which could be difficult to acquire in the current climate.
What Can You Do To Help Support Your Local Brewery
If you’re a fan of craft beer, there are a few things you can do to help support your local brewery. One option is to buy beer directly from the brewery, either online or in person. Some craft breweries, like Melvin Brewing, even have online apparel shops. This will help the brewery keep up with demand and ensure that its employees are paid. Another option is to buy gift cards from the brewery, which can be used at a later date. This will help the brewery generate revenue now, while also providing customers with something to look forward to in the future. Finally, you can spread the word about your favorite breweries on social media and through word-of-mouth. This will help increase awareness of the brewery and may encourage others to support them as well.
Some breweries Are Offering Virtual Tours – How Can You Participate
In addition to buying beer and gift cards, you can also support your local brewery by taking part in their virtual tours. Many breweries are offering virtual tours of their facilities, which allows fans to see the brewing process firsthand. This is a great way to support your local brewery while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they operate. To find out if your favorite brewery is offering virtual tours, simply check their website or social media pages.
Final Thoughts
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the craft beer industry. Many breweries have had to temporarily close their doors, which has resulted in a decline in sales. However, there are some things that you can do to help support your local brewery. By buying beer and gift cards directly from the brewery, you can help them keep up with demand and ensure that their employees are paid. You can also participate in virtual tours of the brewery, which will help support the business while also providing you with a behind-the-scenes look at how they operate. Lastly, you can spread the word about your favorite breweries on social media and through word-of-mouth. This will help increase awareness of the brewery and may encourage others to support them as well.
