Is It Profitable to Make Beer? - Whitelabel Brewing

If you’ve ever considered starting a beer brand or opening a brewery, you’ve likely asked the question: Is it profitable to make beer? While the craft beer industry continues to grow and attract passionate newcomers, the reality is that turning a profit in beer production is a steep climb.

Here’s why making beer—especially at a small or independent scale—is rarely profitable without serious planning, investment, and long-term resilience.

1. High Production Costs

Making beer isn’t cheap. From ingredients and brewing equipment to packaging and labour, costs stack up quickly. To bring these costs down, breweries need to produce large volumes consistently. For small operators or new entrants, reaching the scale necessary to compete with established players is extremely challenging.

2. Distribution Barriers

Even if you brew great beer, getting it onto shelves or taps isn’t straightforward. Most retail outlets, pubs, and bars work through third-party logistics (3PL) and beverage distributors, many of whom have existing relationships with major breweries. Without access to a strong distribution network, your product can struggle to reach customers.

3. Expensive Marketing Requirements

Building brand awareness is essential—but costly. From tap decals and tasting events to digital marketing and sponsorships, getting noticed takes serious time and money. Traditional marketing methods can quickly burn through your budget, especially when competing against large beer brands with massive marketing power.

4. Dominance of Major Beer Companies

Australia’s beer market is largely controlled by a few giants like Lion and CUB (Carlton & United Breweries). Their brands dominate tap contracts, retail space, and consumer mindshare. For a new or small brewery to make headway, it takes years of persistence and a willingness to fight an uphill battle.

A Smarter Alternative: Custom-Branded Beer

While starting your own brewery may not be profitable for most, there’s a smart and strategic alternative: custom-branded beer. This approach allows you to put your own brand on high-quality craft beer—without the high startup costs, infrastructure, or logistical hurdles.

Who’s It Great For?

Restaurants & Bars – Serve a house-branded beer that enhances your venue’s identity and gives guests something memorable to enjoy.
Sports Clubs – Offer a custom beer for fans to celebrate wins, support the club, and connect with the brand on a deeper level.
Events & Corporate Gifting – Stand out from the crowd with a unique, branded product that people will talk about and actually enjoy.
Retail Promotions – Add a premium touch to your campaigns with branded beer that complements your product or campaign theme.

Why It Works

Low Risk, High Impact – Minimum orders from Whitelabel Brewing start at just 30 cartons, making it accessible and affordable.
No Production Headaches – We handle brewing, canning, labelling, and delivery—you focus on your brand.
Built-In Brand Experience – You’re not just giving people a drink—you’re creating a moment tied to your name.

Final Thoughts

Making beer to sell on a large scale is tough. But creating your own branded beer for promotional use or as a brand extension? That’s a clever way to stand out, deepen customer engagement, and offer something unforgettable.

Want to explore how custom-branded beer could work for your business, venue, or club? Visit whitelabelbrewing.com.au and let’s put your brand on a can.