Will coffee and breakfast at breweries save craft beer?

US breweries are starting to diversify by launching coffee and breakfast. Could the UK craft scene also jump on the trend? db finds out more.

The move, which has been illustrated by companies like Dallas-based Vector Brewing, has amplified its business with coffee and breakfast as well as a lunch offer.

Highlighting the trend, Vector Brewing co-owner Veronica Bradley revealed, via Culturemap, how “breweries around Texas are adding coffee programs to their business plans to help with slowing sales” and explained how in terms of business also feels it “fills a gap”.

Bradley added: “We noticed that there were no coffee shops within the almost four-mile stretch and so the brewery saw an opportunity.

Vector Brewing opened in 2020 with a menu of beers and pizza and was previously only open from 4pm but has since opened Tuesday-Sunday from 7am to greet the breakfast crowd.

Working alongside this, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has reminded that, at such sites, alcohol can be served as early as 7am with the trade body hinting that mimosas, beermosas and beer with a breakfast have now reportedly become accessible.

The team has also now introduced a lunch menu featuring a meatball sandwich, bring-your-own salad, and appetisers, such as black bean hummus.

While on the drinks side, this offer at the breweries offering it now also includes espresso, macchiato, bottomless house drip, matcha, chai, and loose-leaf teas, including rooibos and peppermint, the potential for lots of craft breweries to pick up the mantle is being showcased.

The initiative came after Kevin and Marta Sprague, owners of Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters, found equipment, and select coffee and espresso blends and simply went for the idea as a means of expanding their consumer base and putting themselves on the map during the hours people had the most dwell time, either alone or with friends and colleagues.

Craig Bradley explained: “We really want to give the work-from-home crowd another option. But one that won’t cost too much.”

He suggested: “You can enjoy a latte and a hot breakfast at Vector for under 10 bucks. And work from the taproom to get you out of the house. Or just meet up with some friends for lunch.”

Vector has joined a trend of beer brewers who’ve expanded into coffee and brunch primarily across the US craft scene and other converts include: Manhattan Project Beer in West Dallas and Jaquval Brewery and Gastropub in Oak Cliff.

Bradley added: “After being open for a few years, sales dip and costs rise. That’s the business. So, we always need to find new ways to use our space. Coffee was the obvious next step for us.”

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