Guilds. They are not just a thing of the medieval past. In fact, in the world of brewing, they are a thing of the present.
Brewers guilds are becoming increasingly popular among craft brewers. BC’s very own Craft Brewers Guild is a perfect example of this; membership doubled in the two years after a brief hiatus and restructuring of the organization occurred in 2012. Now with 70 member breweries, the guild provides guidance, support, and an amplified voice to the craft beer community in BC.
Brewers guilds offer brewers a platform for collaboration and cooperation towards a common goal: the expansion and growth of craft beer and craft brewing. Regions like provinces, territories, or states often have a guild that represents that region’s brewers and offers resources and support to member breweries.
Guilds promote craft beer through educating the public at large about craft brewing and local breweries. They provide various opportunities to member breweries to advance and exchange their knowledge and experience with other brewers, encouraging the community to continue developing and evolving.
What does a brewers guild do?
Each guild has a unique, but often overlapping, mandate. Generally, these mandates aim to provide the craft beer community with a collective voice and a platform for cooperation. This voice can contribute to policy-making and regulations, allowing the industry to speak with governments in a coherent, well-informed, and representative manner. It also provides brewers with a unified place to host events, promote the industry, and share insights into brewing for future brewers.
The American Brewers Guild is an exception. It is actually an educational institution, offering classes and teaching people about craft brewing and how to brew craft beer.
Should your brewery join a brewers guild?
Well, that depends. Guilds have a membership fee which can be anywhere from $100 to $1000+ dollars per year, depending on the membership type you want to commit to. Guilds also tend to have some sort of limitations as to who can become members, usually dependent upon production amounts and ownership when it comes to craft brewing guilds.
If those factors haven’t put you off, then joining a brewers guild may be for you! You will have some responsibilities as a guild member, such as voting on issues, participating in the guild’s activities and initiatives, or contributing to local events. You will also be able to reap the benefits of the guild, increasing brand awareness and expanding your brewery’s reach and audience.
Brewers guilds are becoming more popular amongst craft brewers, allowing them to join forces to advance the community, encouraging more people to learn about it, and helping them get involved.
