Brewery Insurance
Allentown, Mertztown, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Haven, Summit Hill, Temple, West Chester, Willow Street, Wyomissing

We’re great at matching your needs with customized insurance plans. Our agents understand how to connect the unique services you offer to custom insurance plans, employee benefits, as well as safety and risk management programs.

Types of Brewery Insurance Coverage

In addition to the general and property liability coverages that every business should carry, the following insurance policies help protect against common exposures faced by brewers in Pennsylvania:

Boiler and machinery coverage: Many smaller breweries are not able to handle the production interruption caused by the loss of a key piece of equipment. This coverage can help with repair or replacement costs for damaged equipment and cover losses resulting from production interruption and downtime.

Supply chain insurance: Many craft breweries do not keep large stocks of ingredients on hand, making regular shipments from suppliers essential. Supply chain insurance will cover losses resulting from decreased production or increased production costs if one or more of your suppliers are unable to provide the materials you need.

Spoilage and product recall: If a batch of beer is contaminated during the brewing or packaging process or spoils before distribution, a provision for spoilage can cover the initial production cost as well as lost revenue. If a contaminated batch is not caught before shipping and the beer makes it to store shelves, coverage for product recall can help offset the costs of removing the tainted product and replacing it.

Liquor liability: Regardless of whether you have a full-service bar or offer beer tastings after tours, liquor liability is essential to cover damage to persons and property caused by patrons who were over-served at your establishment. By mixing and matching these policies based on the unique needs of your operation, you can obtain maximum coverage at an affordable price. Some insurers offer these coverages in packages specifically for craft brewers that can be further tailored to address the needs of your individual operation. If your operation involves a restaurant or other type of food service, you will
need to consider additional coverage for related exposures.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if some of my beer is not brewed properly and I have to throw it out? Is that covered?

  No matter how diligent you are at producing a quality product, there can be times when situations beyond your control result in a batch of beer unfit for customer consumption.

  If a contaminated batch is caught before leaving the brewery, you face the cost of wasted materials and production time, disposal, and the loss of revenue from not being able to sell the final product.

  If the batch makes it to store shelves, it can be even more costly. Not only is there the time and cost of replacing the contaminated product with a sellable one, but there is also the need to protect your brand during a recall.

  A poor product experience can be especially damaging for small brewing operations that rely heavily on word-of-mouth advertising. Be prepared to work not only with distributors but also directly with consumers who have received a less-than-quality product.

• How Much Does Craft Brewery Insurance Cost?

  The cost for craft brewery insurance will depend upon the size of your business and the type of brewery you operate, the specific risks you are exposed to, and the coverage amounts and deductibles you choose. Your independent agent can help review your risks and provide craft brewery insurance costs for coverage that would best protect your company. Contact your independent agent to discuss getting a craft brewery insurance quote for your business.

• Can I serve my beer at events?

  When you open your property to the public you are responsible for their well-being. This is exceptionally 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 preplanned routes through your establishment.

• Will my insurance cover my equipment I use to brew?

  Given the 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, but there is also the chance that you will have to suspend part of your brewing operation until the equipment is fixed, resulting in lost sales revenue.