Craft Brewery Insurance Insights & Information

Common Risks for Craft Breweries

Clarke & Sampson Insurance serves the Washington, D.C., area with specialty brewery insurance so you can keep the hops hopping and the taps flowing.Ninety-seven percent of breweries currently operating in the United States are classified as regional craft brewers, microbreweries or brewpubs. This section of the industry differs from more traditional, large-scale brewers, and it presents owners with unique risks.

Premise Liability & Brewery Tours

When you open your property to guests, you are responsible for their well-being. This is especially important if you offer tours of your brewing operations. Given the possible hazards that an untrained guest could be exposed to, it is important to keep tours confined to safe areas and pre-planned routes. In case of a problem, liability insurance coverage can protect you.

Patron Intoxication & Liquor Liability Insurance

If you have a bar on premise, offer samples after brewery tours or serve alcohol to patrons in some other way, you open yourself up to potential liability. If a patron is over-served at your establishment and damages property or causes injury to themselves or other as a result of their intoxication, you could be held responsible for the related costs. To prevent liability associated with intoxicated guests, make sure you properly train your staff to prevent over-serving. As an additional safeguard, you can obtain liquor liability policies to cover damage costs in the event of a claim.

Brewery Supply Chain Interruptions

Recipes for craft brews often rely on specific ingredients for their unique composition. If a key supplier cannot deliver for one reason or another, your production schedule could see a serious interruption. While holding reserves on hand is an easy way to cover temporary interruptions to your supply chain, sometimes it is not feasible due to cash flow or storage space constraints. Keeping a list of backup vendors could mean the difference between keeping production flowing and a temporary shutdown. You can also consider contents/stock insurance coverage to keep you afloat no matter what.

Brewery Equipment Failure

Given the relatively small size of most craft brewing operations and their lack of backup machinery, an equipment failure can significantly impact production ability. If equipment is damaged or breaks down, not only will there be repair and replacement costs, there is also the chance that you will have to suspend part of your brewing operation until the equipment is fixed. That could result in lost sales revenue. Business interruption & extra expense insurance can protect you.

Additional Brewery Insurance Solutions in Washington, DC

The world of craft brewing is rapidly expanding. As it does, insurers are becoming increasingly effective at identifying and addressing its diverse risks. New combinations and structured coverage plans are constantly being made available to brewers.

In addition to the above coverage options for small breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, ask about:

The experts at Clarke & Sampson, Inc. in Washington, DC, will provide you with all you need to know about the latest options in brewing coverage. Let us help you build a comprehensive package that will cover all of your exposures, no matter how unique.

We are located in Alexandria, Virginia, within easy driving distances of Fairfax City and other major business centers. Because our firm is independent, we can write estimates from multiple insurance providers. If you are in the business of brewing beer but need help with commercial insurance, give us a call at 703.683.6601!