Microbrewery in Medellin Colombia

Medellin, Colombia is a city that doesn't compare to any I've been to. It is current, vibrant and advanced. It has a metro system that is one of the best in the world. In 2013, the Urban Land Institute chose Medellín as the most innovative city in the world due to its advances in politics, education and social development. Why mention all this? I believe this shows the city's commitment to strive to continue to better themselves. A huge part of the city’s positive vibe is the weather. The climate is mild with an average daily high of 80F and a low of 65F. It is known as The City of Eternal Spring.

There are 2.5 million people living in Medellin and only a handful of quality micro-breweries. The craft brew scene is in its infancy, as the industry was in the United States in the early 1990s. Colombia as a country is still wide open for good craft brews. The educated, sociable and open minded people of Medellin make this city an exceptional place for creativity, such as a brewpub would be. Report after report continues to tout that craft brew sales are increasing while the larger “monopolies" are stagnant. Again, reminiscent of the early 1990s in the United States. Just search the internet for Colombia beer market and you can read all the details.

Long story short, what I am asking for here is help to open a brewpub in Medellin Colombia. I opened a production microbrewery in 1996 and ran it for 10 years. I was a one man show and got burned out. I have the knowledge and support staff/advisors on hand to get this project up and running….and succeed. The money will be used to buy all brewing equipment and supplies – brew kettle, mash tun, fermenters, serving tanks, hoses, fittings, kegs, etc; the first ingredients – malt, hops, yeast; put “equipment” – tables, chairs, cups, silverware, etc.

I don’t believe in “free”. I am not looking for handouts or free money. I would love to be able to raise enough to get opened, profitable and then somehow return the fruits of our effort. You work hard for your money, so that is your effort. My effort is to get the brewery opened and successful. We can all win with this. I am not looking for money and then to disappear into the far reaches of the world to never be heard from again. I want you all to be on this journey with me. This is a continuing dream of mine. I sold my first brewery with a lot reservations on if it was the right choice, and promised I would open another one, but with a different plan – a brewpub versus a production brewery. Being part of a brewery really is a unique experience. Certainly there is competition yet we are all family.

All of this is still in the paper stages and nothing is cast in stone yet. I would like to get firm plans going by the middle of 2019 and opened by the end of 2019. The paperwork for licensing in Colombia may hamper this schedule a bit, but we’ve got to start somewhere and push to reach that goal. Come join me on this adventure.