Energy and Beer: A Winning Partnership
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Read Time: 4 minutes
Some things just go together. Sports and beer. Wings and beer. Burgers and beer. And over the last decade, more nontraditional things like yoga classes, pottery studios, donuts and other desserts, even fruits and vegetables, go with beer. But, energy and beer?
It’s no secret that the beer brewing industry has seen solid growth over the last ten years. The Brewer’s Association counted more than 5,000 breweries in the U.S. at the end of 2016, anticipating more than 6,000 to be in operation by the end of 2017.1 Microbreweries saw almost a 21% increase from 2015-2016.
What is a Craft Brewery?
An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional.
- They see an annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less.
- They are independently owned.
- They brew the majority of their beverages from traditional and innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation, like malted barley.
So why is an energy company talking to you about brewing beer?
It’s simple, really. We LOVE helping our brewing customers develop strategies to reduce their energy usage and gain better visibility to their energy spending. Many owners and operators of breweries tend to consider their energy costs as highly unpredictable, due to volatility in the market. Regional Sales Manager Adam Hartman explained, “The quick growth in the brewing industry is creating opportunity for craft breweries, too. Growth means distribution and that comes with higher energy costs.” Adam and his team help their current and potential customers understand how brewing more beer, and canning and bottling their product can drastically raise their energy costs. “We work with our clients to understand how much they want to grow and then we help them figure out a per unit price and a stepping stone budget to help them determine the right path to growth,” Adam said. “When you brew more beer, you’re using more gas. When you’re canning, and bottling more, you’re using more electricity. So, we make sure our clients know that when you grow, your energy prices are going to do the same.”
"IGS is a great partner. They save us on energy costs, and more importantly, go out of their way to support our small business.”
– Tim Ward, Co-Founder, North High Brewing, Columbus, Ohio
We understand your business.
By simply selecting a supplier, being choosy about rates and contract terms, and working to conserve energy when possible, many businesses, not just breweries, can realize potential cost savings and revenue generation. As members of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA) and the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA), IGS Energy is there for brewers and restauranteurs around the state of Ohio. “To be a good partner, you need to understand your customer’s business and energy goals - being a member of these associations is another step we take to network, learn, and exchange ideas” lead commercial account manager Andrea Longbrake said. “We work hard to help our customers and show the value of a relationship with IGS.”
Ready to take control of your business’s energy budget? We want to help!
You can rely on IGS to build specialized, impactful relationships with our customers. We’re here to help you take control of your business’s energy budget.