It’s a trying time for breweries during the COVID-19 pandemic. As state laws adjust, some breweries have found ways to continue to serve its beer to consumers in modes that they may not be used to.
The Crooked Stave taprooms have transitioned all sales to focus on an online ordering system.
“We’re patiently waiting for Arryved (our POS) to announce their online platform so we can integrate inventory and sales,” said Chelsea Zaloumis, Marketing and Events Coordinator.
At this time, Crooked Stave has all sales to-go with packaged beer only.
“We’ve brainstormed several specials to help move our non-alcoholic merchandise like mugs and glasses to coincide with new beer releases or popular beer brands we see customers ordering in excess,” Zaloumis said.
All locations of Champion Brewing in Virginia — including the Champion Taproom and Brasserie Saison — have closed, effective March 16. Staff has been laid off so they can collect unemployment, a company spokesman wrote to Brewer. It’s encouraging its community to stay home and to purchase gift cards, following procedures to make sure the brewery’s staff continue to have income, and adjusting menus for ideal to-go items for people who need prepared meals.
“We’re adjusting to delivery and to-go orders only and will rehire employees as needed for pedi-cab deliveries,” they wrote.
Cheboygan Brewing Sales/Marketing Manager Nick Beard said they feel fortunate to have a good footprint in small and large retailers at this time with packaged brands.
”Bars and restaurants in our state of Michigan have been ordered to close dine-in service and can only allow to-go sales,” he said. ”So, we can still sell draft options but it is in a limited capacity.”
The Cheboygan sales team is working from home, staying in communication with its distributor partners and focusing on long-term marketing efforts.
”At this time we have closed the taproom completely to mitigate the risk to our staff and community,” Beard noted. “We are continuing to pay staff.”
Cheboygan continues to brew for distribution at this time.
”We already followed a strict sanitization schedule but we are taking the necessary precautions in the brewhouse to reduce any spread or contamination of COVID-19,” Beard said. “We will be continuing to monitor the situation but above all, do what is best for everyone.”
Jake Goodman, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Weldwerks, said the brewery in Greeley, Colorado is still selling cans to-go from the taproom but they will not be able to provide any samples/tasters of any beer in advance of four-pack purchases.
”As the world’s situation continues to change we are striving to make concurrent adjustments that will result in the best possible situation for both our beloved guests and our staff,” Goodman said.
The brewery has implemented curbside pickup.
“We have implemented an online ordering system to make [the consumer’s] to-go pickup process quicker, easier and more convenient,” he said. “Same pricing, same selection, but now guests can order in advance.”
Orders will be ready within 30 minutes of being placed (or when the brewery opens, depending on when the order is placed) and orders are considered for the same day only. Any orders not picked up by close of business each day will be refunded and restocked.
For now, Weldwerksis eschewing most of its “taproom only” releases and trying to push most, if not all, SKUs out to distro. Fit Bits, the brewery’s low-calorie/low-carb Hazy IPA is available at nine Whole Foods Market locations in the Denver Metro Area and Boulder.
Weldwerks will be making improvements to this system over the coming days as info becomes available.
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