Blog Layout

Six Ways Your Brewery Wins By Choosing the Right ERP
Jan 17, 2023

The right ERP can make or break your company's growth

Many breweries get to the point where growth and expansion is the next logical step, but struggle with finding a way to lean into that growth without sacrificing the quality and customer experience that helped them get to this milestone. 


An ERP touches virtually every aspect of your business, and choosing the right one can help streamline communication and visibility between manufacturing, finance, sales and more — creating a lockstep rhythm that launches your company forward. The wrong one, or one that isn't the right industry-specific fit, can muddy the waters and stunt your growth potential.


What makes an ERP the “right ERP”?

The “right ERP” should address the specific needs of a business beyond the out-of-the-box capabilities found in many basic ERP platforms. For example, in the case of craft brewers, it’s important to be able to correlate the capacity and functioning of the stages of the brewing process, ingredient sourcing, and the peculiarities of distributing craft beverages. These capabilities often require specialists to operate an out-of-the-box ERP solution, whereas an ERP designed for craft beverages would have these capabilities built in with customizable add-on modules to fit the brewery's specific needs.


When evaluating different ERP systems, you want to look for a combination of solid baseline tooling, industry expertise, and flexibility to tailor the solution to meet the needs of your entire organization — from finance to the brewing floor. Let's take a look at some criteria to help you find your perfect ERP match:

Industry expertise

If an industry-specific solution is a top priority for your company then there are two ways to get what your are looking for when it comes to ERP implementation. First, you could hire a specialist to build custom features inside a blanket ERP platform (like Netsuite). This is likely to be expensive and slow to bring into reality, and you will have to keep in mind that your industry expert may need to be kept on retainer or re-engaged contractually every time you need support or want additions or modifications. 


 The second option is to find a niche, pre-built ERP that has been configured for your industry and your specific application. This option is likely to be a faster one to get off the ground, as the solution has already been built with your specific industry in mind and with customizable options already available to be configured and added on. It is also likely that ongoing support and additions are likely a part of the package, or that managed services and ongoing customer care are something that can be added to your contract.

Solution for the entire organization

ERPs are unique applications in that they generally touch every facet of your organization from finance, to sourcing, to sales. Having a streamlined process where there is visibility into every step is important as companies begin and continue to scale. For example, when the business decision is made to begin distributing in a new region, there are multiple departments that need to be on board with the change. There may be new tax laws for your finance department to be aware of, new distribution channels that need to be developed, manufacturing schedules that need to be modified which bleeds into the need for potential new and different sourcing of raw materials.


When lo
oking for the “right” ERP, you should make sure it not only has the expertise in specific areas like manufacturing and distribution, but it covers the basic functionality across the organization.

6 Benefits of choosing the right ERP for your brewery

Choosing the right ERP for your brewing operation can make or break your growth opportunities. By aligning all of your departments along your core goals with specific attention placed on your unique industry needs, your organization can move forward together in sync. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that will be unlocked with the right ERP that offers the perfect combination of industry expertise and cross-organization capabilities.


1. Grow capacity without sacrificing quality

Not every brewing operation desires to scale beyond its initial objectives. There are many fantastic craft breweries that are content to remain regional powerhouses and serve happy customers for years to come. However, when a decision is made to expand in either volume, variety, or geography, breweries want to find a balance between nurturing that growth and maintaining their product quality and company integrity. The quality is what created the brand and keeps customers coming back — nobody is drinking your beer because of “how much” beer you produce. They keep coming back because of "how good" your beer is.


A suitable ERP that understands the brewing and distribution needs of your organization will allow all departments to grow together in a stable environment that will allow
quantity to increase without sacrificing quality.


2. Implementation while minimizing stress on daily functions

Making organization-wide changes whether it’s new protocols, new reporting standards, or the introduction of new varieties of product, can cause stress on the already demanding daily functions of employees. Employees tend to resist sweeping organizational changes because they inject uncertainty into their day-to-day jobs. If new reporting requirements are all of a sudden a daily job to be done on top of current requirements, prepare for some internal strife.


The implementation of a new ERP platform has the potential to cause these types of problems. However, the introduction of new systems corresponding to the new platform in a stepped, gradual way is a key to
foster widespread adoption.


3. Implement branch-specific components

If a company has multiple branches, it’s likely that each branch will have specific requirements. The ability for an ERP to segment functionality for each branch may be a game-changing feature for your manufacturing and distribution operation. For example, local tax laws, distribution and shipping requirements, and fluctuating demands may vary depending on where the branch is located. The right ERP can streamline this process and make it easier for your business to pivot as needs change and evolve.


4. Real-time insight into the flow of goods

Real-time insight into the flow of goods is particularly important for craft brewing manufacturers. From the raw materials to the finished product, the flow of goods is a core consideration for running an efficient operation. This is where specialized configuration is so important for this industry. An out-of-the-box solution is not going to have the details required to track goods through the brewing process, but a custom solution for craft brewers certainly will.


This functionality is also important for departments like finance, operations, and manufacturing. Knowing where there are leaks in the process can be a critical insight to cost-saving decisions or uncovering potential sources of reduced quality in the process.


5. Improve quality control

Quality control is a fundamental part of making sure quality is not sacrificed when scaling the volume of a brewing operation. Having insight into an entire organization through a single pane of glass gives every department what it needs to ensure quality is not compromised.


As volume increases, distribution becomes more demanding, and new varieties are developed, the right ERP can make sure the proper departments have full visibility into the factors that go into keeping the quality to a brewer’s ideal standards.


6. Improve backend reporting and traceability

Reporting can be a headache. There’s no way around it. Being able to report on the success and failures of a system is nearly impossible when systems and monitoring capabilities are siloed to individual stages in the brewing operation. This is where a complete ERP solution comes into play. Having a clear view into the entire process makes reporting a breeze, and tracing problems to the specific stage of the process that is causing reduced quality or bottlenecks is easier with a single organizational system of record.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right ERP requires a few core considerations. These include how to make sure sufficient expertise is injected into the ERP implementation, whether it is an expert specialist building custom functionality, or industry expertise built directly into the platform. The latter gives brewing manufacturers an enormous advantage with significant cost savings and reduction in onboarding time. Several benefits are unlocked when choosing a suitable ERP including the ability to increase quantity without sacrificing quality, changing business functions with minimal stress on day to day functions, the implementation of branch-specific features, real-time insights into the flow of goods, improved quality control, and easier backend reporting and traceability.


Winemaker entering tank measurements on a tablet
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 22 Mar, 2024
A shift has been happening in the picturesque valleys where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s not heralded by the clamor of machinery or the bustle of harvest; it’s signaled by the click of a mouse and a brisk tapping noise on a keyboard. While the 2024 Silicon Valley Bank annual wine report paints a sobering picture of waning consumer demand and climbing production costs, there is hope for wineries willing to embrace change and leverage the power of data.
Man choosing RTD beverage at store
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 18 Mar, 2024
RTDs are the rockstars of the bev-alc scene. Craft beer is working on reclaiming its moment and cocktail culture is undoubtedly en vogue, but RTDs continue to steal the spotlight. Why? Convenience, flexibility and an undeniable appeal to a diverse consumer base, to name just a few reasons. According to Grand View Research, the global RTD market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 14% until 2030, making it the fastest-growing category in the industry.
Group of winery employees meeting about ERP implementation plan
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 12 Mar, 2024
If you own or manage a beverage manufacturing company, you know how challenging it can be to run a successful business in a competitive and highly regulated industry. You need to oversee and control your inventory, production, sales, distribution, accounting, and compliance while delivering high-quality products to your customers.
Flight of beers at Burleigh Brewing Co. in Australia
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 29 Feb, 2024
In 2007, Peta and Brennan Fielding founded Burleigh Brewing Co. on the Gold Coast of Australia, which offered the perfect vibe for their laid-back, slow-brewed beers. The Queensland-based brewery embarked on a mission to redefine the Australian brewing scene with mainstream German-style lagers. With their flagship no-carb lager, Burleigh Bighead, they captured health-conscious beer enthusiasts' hearts (and taste buds) nationwide.
Two distillery workers in production
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 16 Feb, 2024
As the craft spirits industry adapts to meet evolving consumer preferences and regulatory requirements, many establishments are turning to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for operational efficiency and improved business processes. Comprehensive distillery ERP software solutions offer a reliable route to streamlined operations and data-driven decision-making, but can sometimes be met with resistance by team members who are used to a traditional set of processes and programs.
Man working on data cleansing at beverage company
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 12 Feb, 2024
Today, organizations are increasingly realizing the significance of effective data management in their operations. With accurate, real-time data at their disposal, businesses can make informed decisions, leverage opportunities promptly and improve overall efficiency. Specifically, when it comes to enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations, data quality and management play a pivotal role.
Young winemaker leading tasting
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 05 Feb, 2024
Not too long ago, the wine industry represented the epitome of sophistication and class in the bev-alc market. Now, it's facing many of the same challenges as craft beer. In 2023, wine sales experienced a 4.5% decline in volume, and less than a third of American households were regular wine consumers, according to Wine2Wine Media Forum. The shining light? There was a rise in wine consumption among adults over the age of 60, but relying solely on this demographic is akin to aging fine wine without the perfect pairing – it's not sustainable.
Man working on whiskey bottling line
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 29 Jan, 2024
Success in today's spirits industry calls for a keen focus on efficiency, cost management and market responsiveness. Simply producing a high-quality product does not guarantee profitability. Instead, savvy distillers recognize that detailed forecasting and strategic planning have become integral to achieving growth. The best distillery software solutions support these two drivers, enabling smooth operation, accurate prediction of market trends and effective business planning.
Tap handles at Fort Point Beer Co.
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 18 Jan, 2024
What began as a modest venture in 2009 by brothers Justin and Tyler Catalana, Mill Valley Beer Works was a celebration of love for craft beer and San Francisco. As their first restaurant and brewery gained popularity, the business soon blossomed into a larger-scale operation, giving rise to Fort Point Beer Company in 2014.
Group of friends at brewery getting photo taken for social media
By Sheri Pape-Blythe 12 Jan, 2024
In an industry where creativity flows as freely as the taps, marketing is pivotal in distinguishing your brewery from the competition. It was a consistent topic at conferences in 2023 and doesn’t show signs of disappearing.
More Posts
Share by: