Kickstarting Craft Beer: 5 Campaigns for Beer

Kickstarter allows people (anyone, even you!) to create a fundraising campaign for a creative project or business venture.  Those that contribute to the effort are rewarded with special gifts of thanks, chosen by the project creator.  A variety of rewards are usually offered based on the amount of the contribution and consist of things like a copy of what’s being made, a limited edition product, or a custom experience related to the project.  Every project creator sets a funding goal and deadline. If the project succeeds in reaching its fundraising goal, all contributors are charged at the end of the campaign. If the project doesn’t meet their goal by the deadline, no one is charged, simple as that!

Since launching in April 2009, 24,000 Kickstarter projects have been successfully funded, and over 2 million people have pledged more than $250 million to show support for a wide variety of creative projects. Here’s a handful of beer-related campaigns looking for funding.

Vault Brewing Company

 

Brothers John and James Cain are the founders of Vault Brewing Company, a concept-driven brewpub launching in Yardley, PA.  They plan to serve up craft beer, wood fired, gourmet pizza, & Jazz in a regal bank atmosphere.  The beer will be brewed in house, on a 10 BBL system, visible behind the bar.  Three nights a week, the brew-pub will feature live music, from local and big name jazz musicians.

For more info check out:

www.vaultbrewing.com

www.facebook.com/vaultbrewing

Firefly Brewing Company

Rich Loomis, Bill Collins, and Dana Bourque run Brew & Wine Hobby, a homebrew shop in East Hartford, CT. Now they hope to combine their collective talents and shared passion for craft beer to open The Firefly Brewing Company Taproom and Lounge, in the heart of Bristol, CT. Starting with a 7 BBL system, the guys are hoping to inspire others to further their own creative journeys and to propel fellow beer-lovers down the road to happiness. Their slogan, “Get Lit” is a “testament to spreading [their] inspiration, because it takes more than one firefly to enlighten the world.”

The trio has also decided to make Firefly Brewing a “Pay it Forward” endeavor. For every dollar donated to help launch Firefly Brewing, they will donate a dollar to help launch other small businesses or Kickstarter projects in the future.

For more info check out:

www.fireflybrewing.com

www.facebook.com/FireflyBrewing

Indiana City Brewing Company

According to the brewery’s website, “Indiana City is the literal definition of ‘Indianapolis’ and it’s a statement of pride in Indy’s vibrant arts scene and rich heritage.” Indiana City Brewing Company plans to produce three year round beersYacht RockShadow boxer, and Beyond the Pale, along with limited seasonal brews. They hope to be filling growlers at their taproom, which will be located at 24 Shelby Street near downtown Indianapolis, and offer their brews on tap at select bars and restaurants across the local area.  Indiana City also plans to serve as an outlet for local artists to display their work, perform, collaborate and expand local creative expression.

This project also has an investor that is matching the funds raised when their goal is met, so money donated through the kickstarter campaign will be doubled!

For more info check out:

www.indianacitybeer.com

www.facebook.com/IndianaCityBeer

Blacklist Brewing: Beer + Art Project 2013

Passion. Craft. Artistry. Community. That’s what brewing is all about according to the guys at Blacklist Brewing. Their new project, Blacklist Brewing: Beer + Art Project 2013 is, essentially, a beer-art-of-the-month-club. To help ensure craft beer stays crafty, Blacklist is teaming up with MN and WI artists; creating narratives and artworks that will give you something to talk about.  In their first year they’ll be collaborating with musicians, painters, designers, chefs and other artistic talents to bring members a unique experience each month.

(Note: Membership items are for pick up in MN only.)

For more info check out:

www.blacklistbrewing.com

www.facebook.com/BlacklistBrewing

Craftie™ Beer App

Kevin Brindley and Brian Hamlett, of Charlotte, NC, are working hard to fund their project: Craftie™ Beer App, a robust database of the country’s finest breweries and the great craft beers that they produce.  Craftie™ will aim to personalize your craft beer drinking experience like never before, featuring extensive brewery and brewmaster profiles, and tons of information about the crafty brews themselves.  The app will come preloaded with unique profiles, stories, photos, information and specific beer details from craft breweries and brewpubs from all 50 states, and will be updated on the reg to ensure that all the information is accurate and up-to-date.

For more info check out:

www.craftiebeerapp.com

www.facebook.com/CraftieBeerApp

So what do you think?  Have you donated to a Kickstarter campaign in the past?  Which of the above projects would you most like to see get funded and brought to life?