I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while, but the story within is my excuse.
I’ll get into the details in a second, but here’s the meat of it: Mad Haven is on hold for the time being. I don’t have a set timeline to pick it back up, but I do plan to open it one day. That day is just not today.
Here’s the story:
I’ve been dragging my feet for a while now. It took me a long time to realize that I was holding the project back, and then a long time to figure out why. Basically, I have entrepreneurial ADD. Or, in different words, I have commitment issues. The thought of going after all the funding Mad Haven needs is exciting; the thought of spending all that money and being locked in to one idea for the foreseeable future is terrifying.
Right now, I’ve got a full time job, I run Denver off the Wagon, do freelance web development, and lead a somewhat-too-active social life. I don’t believe I currently hold the focus I would need to run the brewery, only a brewery, and nothing but a brewery. Shit, I don’t feel confient I could keep a dog healthy right now. Or a plant.
So that’s the gist of it. I’ll come back to this. I’ve put a bookmark in this book. Dog-eared the page. I want to very, very badly open a brewery. I just don’t think I’m ready yet.
“But PJ!” you might exclaim. “Whatever will you do instead?”
Well, dear reader, I’m glad you asked.
I’m going to focus my energy into Denver off the Wagon. The site has incredible momentum right now, and an absolutely amazing crew behind it. If you live in Denver and haven’t hung out with the contributors for the Wagon, do yourself a favor and find them, and then drink with them. They impress me every single day with their words, stories, experiences, and ideas. The site would be nothing without them.
To this point, we really didn’t have any goals or benchmarks for the site, but I’d say it’s doing well against any metric one might throw at it. The site started in February, and it has already won 5280’s Best Blog and the Westword’s Best Booze Blog. Our cadre of booze-laden writers has grown from 12 to over 30. We’ve got events. We’ve got t-shirts.
Shit, we’ve got a lawyer.
And this is 10 months of drinking and writing and drinking.
Next year, I’m going to push the site, the contributors, and the idea a lot further. It’s going to be big, and it’s going to be awesome.
Beyond that, I’m going to keep homebrewing – thought it’s honestly been a while since I’ve brewed – and keep making crazy recipes that taste awesome and make you go “hmmm.”
I’m going to do all that I can to help my friend Nick Nunns and his brewery TRVE be a massive success. I hope that I can learn from him and his venture, and that that will fulfill my need to start a brewery for the time being.
I’m also going to continue working full time, and continue doing freelance, and continue coming up with too many new ideas. And one or two of them will hopefully stick, and I’ll make billions of dollars, and buy you all a beer.
Anyway, that’s it for now. Please please please continue asking me questions, and I’ll provide answers where I’m able. I’ll post back here when I decide I’ve got the laser focus I need, rather than the shotgun focus I have. If you ever want to grab a beer and talk about brewing, raptors (they scare the shit out of me), or any other topics, or you need a website, an editor, or just want to see my beard, feel free to email me at pj [dot] hoberman [at] gmail [dot] com.
Thanks for reading, and cheers.
PJ, from one entrepreneurial ADD’er to the other, I think you’re making the correct call. I started doing the research into starting a brewery and I just don’t see the success in getting in the game right now. Wait for the bubble to come and there will be plenty of used equipment available in 3-5 years.
Can’t wait to see that Off The Wagon has in store for 2012 and best of luck.
Thanks Jake. 5 businesses now, 1 in 20??
Was talking with my brother last night about opening a brewery together. Just picked up my phone to read articles about the subject and stumbled upon this blog. It was very inspirational and also a tad demotivating to read about someone who has more knowledge over me put it off. I live in Eugene, OR… almost the micro brewery empire along with Portland.
I’m pausing my plans because of my personality (if you met me, this would make a lot more sense) not because of the viability of opening a brewery. Assuming the right market, well-managed deals (rent! equipment!), and good beer, the numbers are almost absurdly good. I’m just not ready to focus on one idea. Yet.
PJ – sounds like you’ve had to make a lot of tough decisions. Bottom line is – you gotta stick with what you feel your passion is. I know how busy running a blog can be and it certainly takes away from a lot of other activities you enjoy doing as well. It eventually comes down to what you feel you can dedicate your time to. Sometimes it’s best to focus on the things you know you can do best now. You’ve got a great site going with DenverOffTheWagon – hope you keep going with that for years to come. Cheers!
These kind of decisions are tough, but I feel you are doing everything right. There is no doubt in my mind you will find your way back to this path if and when it makes sense to do so.
PJ – Sorry to hear the plan be delayed, but I understand, too. You know I’ll come patronize your establishment whenever it opens, and I look forward to having other peoples beer with you in the meantime.
Speaking of… beer soon? 🙂
Good for you PJ. You’ve got a great thing right now with the Wagon. Keep it going. You’ll know when the time is right for the brewery.
Huzzah!
My buddy and I looked into turning our 15 year homebrewing hobby into a business. The excise taxes don’t bother me but the regulations are just plain nuts. It doesn’t appear to be worth the hassle.
Just wanted to quote someone to you.
“So here’s a promise. It’s not to any of you reading this, though I hope you’ll help hold me to it. It’s a promise to myself.
I’m going to see the easier way, and choose to ignore it. I’m going to see the risks, and find ways to avoid them or mitigate them to an acceptable level. I’m going to keep moving forward. I’m not going to stall any more. I’m not going to sit idly by and dream. I’m going to open a brewery. I’m going to open Mad Haven.
Let’s get to work.”
Aww, cruel.
Well, plans are on hold but not over forever! Now I work with dozens of breweries, distilleries, wineries, bars, restaurants… different side of a similar coin. Or 20-sided die..
But, touche.
Hey PJ,
Just wondering how the launch is going? Like many other home brewers, I’ve caught the bug and want to open a brewery! Luckily I live in an area where the closest brewery is about 20 minutes away and my state just adopted a beer trail to mirror our wine trail. I am coming to Denver this July and will be attending the Breckinridge beer fest with my wife. If you are going, I wouldn’t mind meeting up to check out your beard and possibly pick your brain about brewery startup. We will be pending 2 of the 8 days in Denver, the rest traveling the area. Please let me know if your interested in getting together.
Hi Daniel,
The brewery is on permanent hold. I’m still around beer, but on the events and media side now. Let me know if you’re around Denver. Beard is gone, but I still have my brain.
pj
Hi Daniel,
My name is Stephanie with Capacity Tap. We are a platform to match brewers who need capacity, with breweries that have it. I realize your post is from 2013, but if you haven’t yet invested in your own brewery and are interested in contract or AltProp brewing, please check us out! We are still in beta, so you’ll need a password to view our site, but we will be live by Monday, June 27th, 2016! Please feel free to reach out to our founder, Shaun, at shaun@capacitytap.com.
HI
this is abhishek seth feom india want ur comapnies dustiber ship .call me +91-9668097454
Love the blog! We all LOVE our beer! Keep up the great work, I’m sure you are aware that beer is in fact VERY healthy for a person, when consumed in moderation. If you’re ever interested in the health benefits of beer and fitness, feel free to visit this pretty cool website: http://www.beerandbody.com. It’s got some great fitness tips for beer lovers!
your post which says about the starting brewery was really helpful, i hope those who read this site will gain more information.