Craft Brewery Insurance 101: What to Know

Man brewing beer at a brewery

Making the perfect craft beverage–whether it’s beer, cider, wine, or spirits–takes the right passion and skills. But managing your brewery, on the other hand, takes a lot of work. At MetzWood Insurance, we believe in your dream and will help you turn it into a success by offering comprehensive insurance specifically designed for breweries. If you’re new to the craft brewery business, you probably have a lot of questions about where to start with insurance, and that’s why we’re here to help!

The Risk of Brewing Without Insurance

Craft breweries are a significant part of our community and culture, providing us with unique and flavorful experiences. However, behind the artistry and dedication to quality, these businesses face unique risks that need to be managed appropriately. Craft beverage insurance covers things like equipment failure, tank leakage, contamination-based loss, and supply chain issues. It also helps with liability, which means if someone gets hurt on your property, insurance helps cover the costs. Having brewer insurance gives you peace of mind and lets you focus on your craft, knowing your business is protected.

The Key Types of Coverage

As a business owner, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the types of insurance products out there as you start and grow your enterprise. While you’ll have the guidance of our advisors to help you determine what you need, having familiarity with your options will make the process easier. 

  1. Property Insurance: This covers the physical assets of the brewery, including buildings and brewing equipment.
  2. General Liability Insurance: This provides coverage against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal and advertising injury that could occur on your premises or as a result of your operations.
  3. Liquor Liability Insurance: This is crucial for any business that makes, sells, or serves alcohol. It helps protect against claims resulting from damages or injuries caused by intoxicated customers.
  4. Contamination-Based Loss: In case a batch of your brew turns out to be contaminated or unsafe, this coverage can help with the costs of recalling and replacing the product.
  5. Workers' Compensation: This coverage is mandatory in most states. It helps cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages for employees who get injured or fall ill due to their job.
  6. Equipment Failure: This covers the repair or replacement costs if your brewing equipment breaks down. It can also cover losses due to business interruption resulting from equipment failure.
  7. Business Interruption: If your brewery must temporarily close due to a covered loss, this insurance can help replace the lost income and cover extra expenses to get your operation back up and running.
  8. Business Automobile: Craft breweries often have vehicles for distribution, sales calls, or even brewery tours. This coverage protects your business in case of an accident involving these vehicles. It can cover damages to your vehicle, liability to others for bodily injury or property damage, and medical payments for your passengers' injuries.

 

Craft Brewery Insurance is not just a box to be checked off. It's a strategic decision to protect your investment, employees, customers, and ultimately, the future of your business. At MetzWood Insurance, we understand the passion, effort, and resources you've poured into your craft brewery, and we're dedicated to helping you protect it.

Your love for brewing shouldn't be overshadowed by worries about potential risks. Let us handle the insurance part so you can concentrate on creating the next great brew. Reach out to our experts today, and let's discuss your craft brewery insurance needs.

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