Production and Inventory Management
The core of any distillery system is its ability to track liquid from grain-in to bottle-out. You need tools that manage mash bills, fermenter batches, and distillation runs. Crucially, the software should offer robust "cask management" features, allowing you to track individual barrels by char level, wood type, rack location, and evaporation rates (angel’s share) over several years of aging.
TTB Compliance and Reporting
Perhaps the most critical feature is the automation of TTB reporting. This includes the generation of the Monthly Report of Operations (MRO) and the Report of Processing Operations. The software should be able to track bond status, transfers in bond, and denaturing processes automatically. Systems like Whiskey Systems and Distillery Solutions are often chosen specifically for their ability to streamline these federal requirements.
Sales and Distribution Integration
As your distillery grows, managing wholesale accounts, distributor relationships, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales becomes complex. Look for features that manage tax-paid inventory, state-specific excise tax reporting, and integration with your Point of Sale (POS) system. Platforms such as Ekos, Beer30, and GreatVines offer specialized modules to help bridge the gap between production and the sales floor.
Batch Tracking and Costing
Understanding the true cost per bottle is vital for long-term profitability. Your software should provide "landed cost" calculations, which account for raw materials, labor, barrel depreciation, and storage overhead. It should allow you to trace any bottle back to its specific batch, barrel, and grain supplier, which is essential for both quality control and potential recall management.
