The Beer's Journey from grain to the table, from the view of the economic and food safety of the value chain, through indepth interviews

Abstract

The global craft beer market has seen a surge in consumer interest in recent years. Despite this trend, the technological challenges faced by small-scale brewery operators remain an under-explored area of research. This study aims to address this gap by examining the potential for operational failures through the perspectives of small-scale brewery managers. The research aims to provide insight into the complexities of supply chain management and the intricacies of economic processes within the craft beer industry. Additionally, the study seeks to evaluate the possibilities for sustainability within small-scale beer production. Given the exploratory nature of the study, a qualitative research design, specifically the constructivist approach of Grounded Theory Methodology, will be employed. The study will consist of in-depth interviews with the leaders of ten domestic and international small-scale breweries, focusing on market development opportunities, technological advancements, and sustainability. Small-scale breweries can be divided into three main components, which are closely related. Excessive losses during brewing, low automation and resulting food safety issues. The craft beer industry works with a loss ratio of at least 20%, which needs to be solved. The ultimate goal of this research is to propose innovative technological solutions that can improve the economic and food safety outcomes of small-scale beer production.