I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Steve Howe, the founder of Plan 9 Brewing. Plan 9 is a nanobrewery startup in Las Vegas, Nevada. Steve is making the jump from homebrewer to professional, something every homebrewer has dreamed about (you know it’s true).
Pending the approval of the necessary permits, Steve plans to be fully up and running by September, 2010.
In the meantime, you can try Plan 9′s beers for yourself by visiting the 4th Annual Lee’s Beer Experience in Las Vegas. And here is Plan 9′s website for your bookmarking pleasure: Plan 9 Brewery Website
Here is what we cover in the interview, with the video time in parenthesis:
- The definition of a nanobrewery (1:00)
- What Steve’s stint in England taught him about beer (3:00)
- The cash investment involved in starting a brewery (6:30)
- What equipment Steve is using for his brewery and his brew schedule (8:00)
- Which permits are needed to start your own brewery (10:30)
- Where Steve will locate Plan 9 Brewing (13:20)
- How distribution and the three tiered system affects a new brewery (14:40)
- The state of the craft beer scene in Las Vegas (it may surprise you) (18:30)
- Plan 9′s beer selection (there are some really creative ones) (22:45)
- How Steve handles the marketing side and his clever plan to sell his beer (25:30)
- Managing the split between brewing and selling (27:30)
If you have any questions feel free to ask them down in the comments and Steve will respond. Thanks for the interview Steve, and I’m sure BillyBrew readers will support Plan 9 Brewing!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Fantastic interview but I do remember years ago many beer drinkers in London getting drunk as the bars back then use to close early;( 10 or 11) or at least the people I hung with had a few too many,
I’llbe in Vegas in July, maybe we can hook up?
Sounds good! Hit me up when out here and I will bring the beer!
Bars do still close early, although they have a few that are open 24 hours a day now.
Will be in Vegas May 5-9. Hope to get a chance to meet Steve at Lee’s Beer Experience! Erick take note!
Thought I would pop on and do an update. Plan 9 has found its home permitting final approval from the city of Las Vegas. I found a very large facility that fits our needs and will allow for a few years of growth without need to move.
We’re looking at around 100 bbls per year. Which is VERY exciting!
Will keep you updated.
Hey sounds like wat we looked at together is workin out fine e mail me waiting to hear from you ps
Hows the kaylog kulsh going has the world fallin 4 it yet haha I know Thay will eny way email me