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First Key Consulting
Consultants to the Brewing Industry
  • Who We Are
    The world’s leading beer industry consulting firm.
    • Overview
      The world’s leading beer industry consulting firm.
    • At a Glance
      Highly experienced industry experts delivering thousands of projects across the globe for the past 30 years.
    • Why First Key
      We deliver projects and services better, leaner and faster than anyone else.
    • Leadership
      Brief biographies of our firms management.
      • Executive Group
        Independent, objective and comprehensive consulting. We go the distance with our clients to uncover opportunities and achieve sustainable advantage.
      • Practice Area Directors
        Independent, objective and comprehensive consulting. We go the distance with our clients to uncover opportunities and achieve sustainable advantage.
      • Administration
        Independent, objective and comprehensive consulting. We go the distance with our clients to uncover opportunities and achieve sustainable advantage.
    • Sample Projects
      Our wide range of experiences is a benefit for our clients.
    • Clients
      First Key has a solid track record delivering insights that our clients act on - practical roadmaps that are tailored to the specific situation of each client.
    • Testimonials
      Our clients tell us that early integration of our experience and best practices ensures their project success, secures consistent quality, and reduces costs.
    • World Beer Cup
      First Key is an official sponsor of the World Beer Cup
  • What We Do
    With our industry focus and expertise we dig deeper, challenge thinking and drive sustainable advantage for our clients.
    • Overview
      With our industry focus and expertise we dig deeper, challenge thinking and drive sustainable advantage for our clients.
    • New Breweries and Expansions
      Let’s get it right the first time.
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
        The foundation of your brewery starts here.
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
        First Key will help your company successfully navigate through the many activities and decisions that face a new brewery start up or expansion.
      • Expansion Roadmaps
        The experience that takes your brewery to the next level.
      • Brew Pub Restaurant Operations
        We can enhance every aspect of your brewpub restaurant and kitchen operations.
      • Product Development
        We develop award-winning beers.
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
        We will help you get brewing and packaging arrangements that work for you.
      • Commercial Services
        What really drives your growth?
      • Human Resources
        Where talent meets opportunity in the brewing industry.
    • Engineering Services
      We integrate value, quality, innovation, and efficiency for your benefit.
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
        The foundation of your brewery starts here.
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
        First Key will help your company successfully navigate through the many activities and decisions that face a new brewery start up or expansion.
      • Capital Project Management
        While you focus on making great beer, we focus on your capital project.
      • Process Engineering
        Specialized process, packaging, utilities, malting and automation engineering for your brewery.
    • Quality and Process Optimization
      Turning your quality, operations and business processes into a competitive advantage.
      • Process Improvement Roadmaps
        Our brewery experts help you define and implement the most impactful projects to improve quality, cost and delivery.
      • Continuous Improvement Culture
        Teaching your team to “fish where the fish are”.
      • Technical Partner
        Ongoing expertise, but not on your payroll.
      • Quality Management System (QMS)
        The future belongs to top quality beers.
      • Quality Troubleshooting Services
        Sound advice on demand from experienced professionals.
      • Environment, Health and Safety
        Improving Safety and Reducing Environmental Impact.
    • Product Development
      We develop award-winning beers.
      • Recipe Development and Pilot Trials
        Your passion, pride and personality reflected in each recipe.
      • Commercial Scale Up
        Quickly transferring your new recipe into reliable commercial production.
    • Financial Services
      Deep industry knowledge is our point of difference.
      • Due Diligence
        Independent expertise and global experience to conduct systematic and detailed due diligence.
      • Financial Modeling
        Helping you make informed business and financial decisions.
      • Value Creation Program
        A structured program to increase your profitability.
      • Acquisitions and Divestitures
        We have a track record of putting buyers and sellers together.
      • Valuations
        Well-supported, logical and defensible valuation conclusions.
      • Industry Research
        View the competitive landscape more clearly.
    • Commercial Services
      What really drives your growth?
      • Marketing and Sales Strategy
        Are your strategies connecting with your customers?
      • Go-To-Market
        Developing relevant, unique and compelling customer experiences.
      • Beat the Brewmaster
        How does your brand stand out in a crowded market?
    • Supply Chain
      Are your operating margins where they should be?
      • PLAN – Sourcing & Procurement
        Secure reliable suppliers at the best possible cost
      • MAKE – Manufacturing and Warehousing
        For streamlined process flow
      • SHIP – Distribution
        Develop your network and relationships
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
        We will help you get brewing and packaging arrangements that work for you.
      • Risk Management and Product/Marketplace Recalls
        Protect your brand and keep your piece of mind
      • Supply Chain Network Modeling & Analysis
        Powerful network modeling, analysis and optimization for your complex supply chain
    • Human Resources
      Where talent meets opportunity in the brewing industry.
      • Interim Staffing
        Experienced consultants working seamlessly with your team.
      • Technical Partner
        Ongoing expertise, but not on your payroll.
      • Recruitment
        Do you want to recruit an exceptional workforce?
      • BrewingWork.com
        The brewing industry job board.
      • Working With First Key
        Join our team of talented, interesting and experienced consultants.
    • Agribusiness
      Hops and Malt from the ground up.
      • Malting Industry Statistics
        Market intelligence is more valuable now than ever before
      • Business Planning for Maltsters
        Comprehensive feasibility studies for your malting facility plans
      • Malting Operations Audit and Optimization
        Independent malting facility audits and improvement plans
      • Malt Sourcing for Brewers
        Value creation is on the mind of every brewer
      • Business Planning for Hop Growers
        First Key can help you navigate the specific agricultural, technical, market and financial aspects of your hop farm feasibility study
      • Hop Innovation
        Looking for hop innovation backed by sound science?
  • Our Insights
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  • Contact Us
Skip to content
  • Who We Are
    • Overview
    • At a Glance
    • Why First Key
    • Leadership
      • Executive Group
      • Practice Area Directors
      • Administration
    • Sample Projects
    • Clients
    • Testimonials
    • World Beer Cup
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • New Breweries and Expansions
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
      • Expansion Roadmaps
      • Brew Pub Restaurant Operations
      • Product Development
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
      • Commercial Services
      • Human Resources
    • Engineering Services
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
      • Capital Project Management
      • Process Engineering
    • Quality and Process Optimization
      • Process Improvement Roadmaps
      • Continuous Improvement Culture
      • Technical Partner
      • Quality Management System (QMS)
      • Quality Troubleshooting Services
      • Environment, Health and Safety
    • Product Development
      • Recipe Development and Pilot Trials
      • Commercial Scale Up
    • Financial Services
      • Due Diligence
      • Financial Modeling
      • Value Creation Program
      • Acquisitions and Divestitures
      • Valuations
      • Industry Research
    • Commercial Services
      • Marketing and Sales Strategy
      • Go-To-Market
      • Beat the Brewmaster
    • Supply Chain
      • PLAN – Sourcing & Procurement
      • MAKE – Manufacturing and Warehousing
      • SHIP – Distribution
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
      • Risk Management and Product/Marketplace Recalls
      • Supply Chain Network Modeling & Analysis
    • Human Resources
      • Interim Staffing
      • Technical Partner
      • Recruitment
      • BrewingWork.com
      • Working With First Key
    • Agribusiness
      • Malting Industry Statistics
      • Business Planning for Maltsters
      • Malting Operations Audit and Optimization
      • Malt Sourcing for Brewers
      • Business Planning for Hop Growers
      • Hop Innovation
  • Our Insights
  • Contact Us

Home > Our Insights

Insights

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Solar Powered Breweries Brighten Beer’s Future

February 16, 2018 by firstkey007 Engineering, Environment, Continuous Improvement
“Do what’s right.” Such is the motto of Maine Beer Company, a small brewery which first opened its doors in
Read More

The Post-Millennial Era Starts Now

February 16, 2018 by firstkey007 Commercial Strategy
When a new generation begins to take its place on the adult stage, it’s not unusual for marketers and other
Read More

Continuous Improvement Can Drive Growth at Craft Distilleries

November 10, 2017 by firstkey007 Continuous Improvement, Distilling
The day before it plans to produce a batch of its crowd-pleasing gin, a distillery discovers it is several pounds short
Read More

The Rise of the Brewpub

November 10, 2017December 6, 2017 by firstkey007 Beer Category, Brewpubs
In a 1997 article the New York Post quoted a retail consultant who offered the following perspective: “The bloom is
Read More

A Taste of Colombia Adds New Flavors to Canadian Beer Scene

August 11, 2017 by firstkey007 New Brewery & Expansions, Commercial Strategy, Engineering, Product Development
Vancouver, British Columbia is surrounded by majestic mountains and rippling water, not unlike Colombia, the birthplace
Read More
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Categories

  • New Brewery & Expansions
  • Beer Category
  • Engineering
  • Commercial Strategy
  • Product Development
  • Quality
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Brewpubs
  • Distilling
  • Environment

Downloads

Hop Producers

World’s largest hop producers by area 2017

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Commercial Malting Companies

The world largest commercial malting companies

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Brewers’ Malting Capacities

The worlds largest brewers’ malting capacities

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China Malt Exports

China Malt Exports showing destinations for 2008, 2009 and Jan – Sept 2010

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First Key Corporate Brochure

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Value Creation Program

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Insights Newsletter

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First Key is the leading brewing industry consulting firm. We have been operating for over 30 years and have worked in over 50 countries. Our people are some of the most talented, interesting and experienced experts who provide clients with independent and comprehensive advice, and work with them to implement solutions in every area of their business.

Who We Are

  • At a Glance
  • Why First Key
  • Leadership
  • Sample Projects
  • Clients
  • Testimonials
  • World Beer Cup

What We Do

  • New Breweries and Expansions
  • Engineering Services
  • Quality and Process Optimization
  • Product Development
  • Financial Services
  • Commercial Services
  • Supply Chain
  • Human Resources
  • Agribusiness

Our Insights

  • Insights
  • Downloads

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Submit a Business Enquiry
  • Careers
  • Supplier Directory
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Our Insights
  • Contact Us

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