Beall Brewery Insurance reports that beer spoilage and contamination are among the top three craft brewery losses based on severity, according to data from The Hanover Insurance Group. The unintentional use of contaminated materials and the spoilage of a batch of beer present a huge exposure to the financial well-being—and the reputation—of any brewery.
Contamination threats include:
- Mechanical breakdown
- Power outage
- Proliferation of undesired organisms
- Refrigerant contamination
While vigilance can help to keep contamination risk low, Beall Brewery Insurance recommends other steps breweries can take to protect their supplies and prevent craft beer spoilage and contamination.
- Establish housekeeping procedures to ensure that all equipment is clean and sterilized before you begin to brew.
- Consider how you store your raw materials, and how they are transported to the mill, brewhouse, or other brewing equipment.
- Observe your production stream. Is it as smooth as it could be?
- Test each batch, both from a chemical and from a taste standpoint.
- Develop a contingency plan in case your beer does get spoiled or contaminated.
Be sure your brewery’s insurance policy includes coverage for spoilage and contamination, but remember: even ample coverage cannot help you recover from the damage to your reputation if you put bad beer in the tap or on the market. An ounce of prevention is worth a keg of great craft beer, so focus on contaminant elimination in your brewery.
For more than 25 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With offices in California and Indiana, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.