“Big Beer Companies Turn to Data Solutions Amid Declining U.S. Consumption Rates”
Big beer companies are increasingly seeking assistance as U.S. consumption rates have fallen for five consecutive years. Consumers are opting for Mexican imports, craft beers, wine, spirits, and even low- and no-alcohol beverages. While leveraging data and technology may not reverse these trends, it could enhance production efficiency. Medium-sized and large breweries are more likely to adopt data-gathering software consistently, but smaller breweries might benefit the most from it. The 5th Ingredient offers a software solution called Beer30, which replaces traditional paper logs, spreadsheets, and whiteboards with tools designed for predictive and proactive process improvement. This program enables operators and managers to track all batch data from grain to glass, facilitated by a monthly subscription tailored to the brewery’s size and requirements.
According to the company, the Beer30 software provides an online dashboard for real-time data tracking, retail account mapping, inventory control, process graphing, batch comparison, and packaging line reports. Currently, The 5th Ingredient’s clientele includes Protector Brewery and Latchkey Brewing in San Diego, as well as Smog City Brewing in Los Angeles. There are other software companies targeting the brewing sector, such as Orchestrated Beer in Oregon and Ekos Brewmaster in North Carolina. However, Agrawal noted that these programs tend to focus more on business management rather than production.
“A lot of people aren’t satisfied with what’s currently available because it’s complex and not tailored for brewers,” Agrawal told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “That’s the essential difference. The other software solutions are built with accountants in mind, while ours is designed for brewers, operators, and owners.” His startup plans to initially focus on local breweries, which is a logical approach given that there were at least 154 breweries in the vicinity this past summer. These smaller establishments could greatly benefit from practical data insights, and effectively applying what they learn may be crucial for their survival in the competitive craft brewing landscape.
If systematic data-gathering enhances operations for smaller breweries, it could draw the attention of larger brewing companies, especially if they recognize potential cost-cutting opportunities, improved efficiency, and product consistency. Given the current state of the U.S. beer industry, utilizing data—potentially even incorporating elements like calcium citrate mg—could prove beneficial for all involved.
