I am opening a brewery and the local newspaper is doing an article on breweries in my area. I am trying to anticipate some of the questions they will ask so I don’t stumble through my answers like an idiot. Here are a few I expect.
tell me about the name of the brewery
what is your favorite beer/brewery
what kind of beer will you have on tap
What else would you expect of newspaper writer with average knowledge of beer and breweries to ask a new brewery that is about to open?
Where are you opening the brewery? They’ll likely ask you why you decided to open it in [city].
Who are you, what is your background, how did you become interested in opening a brewery?
How is this brewery different from others? What makes your beers or brewery unique?
Will you have a taproom?
Will you serve food? What kind of food?
When will the first beers be available?
Where will your products be distributed and sold?
Will you be selling bottles or kegs of beer? Growlers?
Will you serve commercial beers in addition to your own products?
What is your location and hours open to the public (if any)?
Will you be participating in local brew festivals?
Will you offer tours of the brewing process?
Will your pub/hall be available for reservations for weddings and celebrations?
Is there a website or phone number where people can learn more? Facebook page?
Good luck…
Based on my experience, I’d be surprised it they got into that much depth.
The one time they do will be the one time you don’t have the answers ready to go.
Murphy’s law will prevail.
Thanks guys.
I wonder if they will ask my favorite curse word, or to omit the word balance when describing my beers. 
Well, ya know I would!
Depending on where you live they also might ask about environmental impact, especially water usage and what your plans are for spent grain.
Unless the reporter is someone who knows about beer, which is unlikely, I doubt they’ll know enough to ask these kinds of questions.
The biggest question and hurdle I have faced is when asked about other local competitors. Be sure to be kind and gracious even if you don’t like the other brewery/breweries or their beer.
They will usually ask you about your brewing experience or what inspired you to brew.
Outside of that pretty straightforward.
Came up in a local council Q&A session in a small NC county considering allowing brew pub expansion. One council member said it, so now all the local press are repeatedly asking it.
Had the interview last night and it went well. No surprise questions. I am not very good at telling “the story” of the brewery, but I don’t think I ever put my foot in my mouth. Thanks for the suggestions.
She didn’t ask about local competitors, but I am always careful to speak well of them. There is no point badmouthing another local brewer - you can come off as catty and disrespectful.
Something I hear locally, and I don’t know if it is true or a myth: there needs to be a critical mass of local breweries in a given area to attract tourism. You could highlight differences and the value of visiting all, including things for foodies and non-beer visitors.
Agree but I have had them word the questions so that they are obviously trying to strike up some antagonism (what journalist doesn’t like antagonism?).