Experience, Craftsmanship & Compliance at Work
The first thing to know about designing and building a brewery, winery, or distillery: you’re not just building a place to produce beverages. At its core, brewery construction is about crafting an experience that embodies your brand, accommodates complex operational needs, and invites guests to stay awhile (ideally, while they enjoy your product).
There are a lot of factors that go into brewery construction, from the aesthetic to the purely practical. The production floor may need stainless-steel tanks and intricate temperature control; the tasting rooms may need to be comfortable and atmospheric. The most successful beverage facilities are those where craftsmanship and hospitality converge—all while meeting the specific regulatory requirements of your state.
If you’re working on a new brewery construction, you’ve found your team—contact VPC Builders to start a conversation.
5 Tips for an Exceptional Brewery Construction Project
At VPC Builders, we specialize in turning commercial visions into fully functioning, guest-ready spaces. Whether you’re expanding production or launching a brand-new concept, here’s what you should know to start on the right foot and end with a facility that’s both compliant and compelling.
Tip #1: Remember You’re Building for Two Audiences
Breweries, wineries, and distilleries operate at a unique intersection of manufacturing and customer experience. Behind the scenes, the space must function like a production facility—supporting workflow efficiency, cleanliness, safety, and scalability. Up front, guests expect an immersive environment that feels memorable, comfortable, and authentic to the brand they showed up for.
Effective brewery construction means designing with both sides in mind, balancing the back-of-house logistics with a carefully cultivated front-of-house ambiance. That means smooth transitions between production and tasting areas, insulated sound and odor control, and facility-spanning visual design that carries the brand identity.
Tip #2: Design With Customer Experience in Mind
The tasting room is just as much a stage for storytelling as it is a place to serve drinks. There are plenty of directions to go—rustic, industrial, modern, eclectic—but all of them are dependent on how well the architectural design and interior finishes of your space should communicate what your brand stands for.
Lighting, acoustics, seating arrangements, and flow will all contribute to how guests experience your product. Well-crafted environments invite longer stays, encourage social sharing, and leave a lasting impression. Strategic use of natural materials, custom fixtures, and curated sightlines can turn a simple sip into a share-worthy moment.
Lastly, remember to consider the sensory experience—how light reflects off a barrel wall, how sound travels through a crowded room, how guests move from bar to lounge to retail. All of these factors can (and will) affect how your guests experience the drinks you’re serving.
Tip #3: Consider Codes & Compliance
Alcohol production facilities must meet a complex network of building codes, fire safety regulations, health department standards, and federal requirements—especially when fermentation, distillation, or aging are involved. Compliance starts long before the first pour.
The rules will vary from state to state—and occasionally from region to region—which necessitates a careful analysis of which rules apply to you. As the premier custom builder of the Carolinas, VPC Builders stays ahead of code requirements across state and local jurisdictions. We collaborate with inspectors, engineers, and permitting offices to ensure your project moves smoothly throughout the process, including:
- Proper zoning and occupancy classification
- Ventilation and fire suppression planning
- ADA compliance for guest-centric areas
- Durable, sanitary materials for production zones
- Load-bearing considerations for tanks and barrels
When you’ve got an expert team working on your behalf to eliminate red tape surprises, you can count on your brewery opening on schedule with all the preparations it needs.
Tip #4: Keep Things Flexible for Future Changes
The beverage industry is constantly evolving—what starts as a small batch can quickly scale into distribution. This is why you’ll want to build with growth in mind. The best designs are dynamic, able to accommodate equipment upgrades, additional fermenters, canning or bottling lines, and expanded seating or event spaces.
By designing smart utility infrastructure (power, drainage, HVAC, etcetera) from the beginning, a custom builder can help you skirt any expensive retrofits later on. Remember to factor in potential outdoor expansions as well, such as patios, beer gardens, or event lawns. These can add substantial value and revenue potential to your property in the long run.
Tip #5: Build Your Brand Into the Blueprint
Remember when we said your tasting room is a stage for storytelling? That’s only partly true—because, to a certain extent, your entire building should be the stage. Every beam, brick, and bottle contributes to the story you’re telling.
Maybe you’re a local craft brewery rooted in the community, or a high-end winery evoking the elegance of the mountains. Maybe you’re a small-batch distiller with a flair for the rebellious. Whatever the case, that unique story is what your customers are showing up for. Let your space reflect that ethos.
After decades in the trade, VPC knows how to tell a story in a physical space. We translate brand values through architectural style, personalized signage, custom millwork, and even the way guests flow through the environment. If you’re looking for an expert’s touch to bring your branding to life in the Carolinas, we’re happy to be the team for the job.
Raise a Glass to Better Building
Remember, when it comes to brewery construction, it’s not the tasting experience that makes the brand—it’s the brand that makes the tasting experience. Your facility is the physical expression of your passion, personality, and ambition. With thoughtful planning, code-smart construction, and a guest-centric mindset, you can share that with everyone who steps foot in the door.
Let’s Build the Next Great Beverage Destination
If you’re planning a new facility or upgrading your current location, partner with VPC Builders for a construction experience that balances creativity with compliance. With years of experience in production and hospitality spaces, you can count on VPC to build for both back-of-house precision and front-of-house vibes.
Let’s tell your story together. Contact VPC Builders today.
