Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Spires.
Hi Alex, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My wife, Megan, and I got pulled into the craft beer scene after a few visits and tours at local breweries. We loved the craft beer culture and the people we would meet. I am a manufacturing engineer and long time home brewer so I loved to see the different processes for making beer. We toured a small brewery that was brewing in 15-gallon batches. I told Megan that I can do bigger batches at home and she asked when we were going to open our brewery.
Shortly after that, I wrote a business plan but I spent about 7 years researching and re-writing it before we opened. This conveniently put us right into the first COVID 19 shutdown. It’s been a very long road to get to where we are and we are so happy to be open and doing what we love. We’ve had great support from our community, friends, and family and will be forever grateful for those who helped us get to this point.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I didn’t know this question was next but I opened right up to with COVID.
Our logo says “Est. 2017”. We officially opened on September 25, 2020. We get asked a lot about that but I don’t mind because its a constant reminder of how we got here. Starting any business has a lot of paperwork but manufacturing alcohol adds more and a seemingly infinite number of permits and approvals are required. We started our LLC in November of 2017. We were ready to sign a lease for a building that was owned by a local individual.
We had drafted a 9-page lease and were working on getting construction quotes before signing. Then we found our current location. It is in a much busier area and has a large patio that overlooks a pond. The new space was owned by a large corporation and it took 14 months and several lawyers to negotiate the 49-page lease that I’m not convinced is written in English. We took possession in August of 2019. Our contractor said construction would be done at the beginning of March 2020.
Then we learned the 16-year-old patio wasn’t on the original permit so the city was treating it like new construction with required another permit before we could start. This was followed by a series of other delays that I thought I researched and was prepared for only to learn it would take months and a lot more capital to sort out. March rolls around and construction was behind but wrapping up, we were discussing our opening plan, hiring staff, planning a brew schedule, and discussing when it made sense to quit my corporate job. It was all coming together. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and then the governor announced that restaurants were too close and it wasn’t safe to go out in public. WHAT?! We’d already exhausted most of our backup plans. We were way behind and waaaaay over budget.
Back to craft beer culture – this is a tight-knit community. With help from the Ohio Craft Brewers’ Association, lots of breweries were sharing their plan to survive the pandemic. There were lots of layoffs and shifts in business models. Breweries sharing equipment with other breweries so we could all survive. Our plan to open was with 100% in-taproom sales. There is higher margins and less capital required than in distribution and canning. But now customers aren’t allowed in the taproom. Everyone switched to canning, bottling, growlers to go, and delivery. Anything that allows customers to buy a product and enjoy it at home. The local community was happy to support small businesses and help them through this but we were new. The community didn’t know we were there. I’d drive through the busy shopping area to get to the brewery and not see any other cars.
I think I could write a few books on obstacles and challenges in opening a brewery or running any business. The last thing I want is our story to seem like a sad one. We’ve put a lot of time and resources into getting where we are and we are ecstatic to be open and seeing customers enjoy our products. We’ve gotten so much help from other breweries and other business owners. Countless people who said they’re happy to help and only ask that we pay it forward when we can.
As you know, we’re big fans of Spires Social Brewing Co.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The craft beer industry thrives on community and culture. It is the same in breweries all over the world. It is what made us fall in love with craft beer and what we want to be known for and give back to. Beer is more than just a drink. It is an experience. An experience that is better with friends. Spires Social is a place to come celebrate good times whether that is a big event, a happy hour after work, or just a break from shopping.
The more we’ve learned about beer, the more we’ve enjoyed it. We want to spread this to our customers through education, tasting events, brewing onsite with us, etc. We offer brew on premise where you come in and brew 15 gallons of beer and then can it with custom labels. We can gear it to the group – some really focus on how to make beer and get into homebrewing and for others it’s just something fun to do with friends. We also do Patio Pilot batches in the summer where we brew on our pilot system on the patio so customers can get up close and see how the beer is made and what ingredients go into it.
It is very important that Spires Social stays a place for everyone. Craft beer is our passion but we also make soda and hard seltzer in-house as well as serve liquor and guest drinks. We love talking to someone who says they don’t like beer and discussing what flavors and drinks they do like then finding them a craft beer they love. But if you just want something else, we’re still happy to share the craft beer culture and experience with you.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Network. Talk to as many people as you can. Listen to their story and learn from it. It is always good to surround yourself by good people and a strong support system. Then when the time comes, offer what you know to others so they don’t have to repeat mistakes you’ve made along the way. Together we can all be better.
Also, it will cost more and take longer than you thought. Prepare for it. It will be okay.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@spiressocial.com
- Website: www.spiressocial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiressocial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiresSocial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/spiressocial
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/spires-social-brewing-columbus-2
