Tracking brew batch costs and per-pint profitability challenges your brewpub. You balance craft beer production with food service. Seasonal beer releases add unpredictable demand. A strong POS system solves these problems. It gives you tools to manage your unique business. This guide helps you pick the right partner for your brewpub.
Lavu
Best for: Brewpubs that need deep brewery management and restaurant tools.
Lavu is an operator’s ally. It excels at precise inventory and brew batch costing. Marty offers intelligence to guide your business. See how Lavu supports your unique brewpub needs. Request a demo: https://lavu.com/demo
- ✓ Specialized craft beverage features for kegs and taps.
- ✓ Advanced inventory tracking for raw brewing materials and finished products.
- ✓ Marty, Lavu’s AI analytics layer, provides insights on sales patterns and brew profitability.
- ✓ Handles both quick taproom service and full-service dining.
- ✓ Employee management and scheduling tools included.
- ✓ Integrated online ordering and delivery options.
- ✗ Initial setup may take time due to extensive features.
- ✗ Interface can feel dense for very small operations.
Pricing: Starts around $99/month, scales with features and terminals. Custom quotes for advanced needs.
Toast
Best for: Brewpubs focused on their restaurant food program.
Toast offers a solid restaurant POS. It manages food service well. Brewpubs must ensure its beverage inventory meets their needs. It works best for those with a strong food program focus.
- ✓ Strong restaurant management features, including table layouts and order routing.
- ✓ Hardware is purpose-built for restaurant environments.
- ✓ Good reporting on food sales and labor costs.
- ✓ Integrated online ordering for food sales.
- ✓ Strong customer support and community resources.
- ✗ Brewery-specific inventory and recipe costing might require add-ons or workarounds.
- ✗ Less emphasis on unique craft beverage management needs.
- ✗ Can be pricey, especially for hardware.
Pricing: Hardware costs upfront. Software plans start free (plus processing fees) to $165+/month.
TouchBistro
Best for: Brewpubs that prioritize floor plan management and quick service.
TouchBistro works for busy dining rooms and taprooms. It shines at table service. Brewpubs need to check its detailed beer inventory and production tracking.
- ✓ Intuitive table management and floor plan customization.
- ✓ Supports both quick counter and full-service ordering.
- ✓ Strong reporting on sales and staff performance.
- ✓ Built for the fast-paced restaurant environment.
- ✓ Good customer service reputation.
- ✗ Brewery inventory and recipe costing are not core strengths.
- ✗ Integrations for advanced brewing needs may be limited.
- ✗ Primarily iPad-based, which may not suit all hardware preferences.
Pricing: Starts around $69/month for basic, scaling up to $199+/month for full features.
Clover
Best for: Smaller brewpubs that need a flexible system and an app marketplace.
Clover offers flexibility for smaller brewpubs. Its app ecosystem adds features. However, it may not provide deep integration for complex brewing. Expect extra effort.
- ✓ Wide range of hardware options, from mobile to countertop.
- ✓ App marketplace allows for customization and adding specific functions.
- ✓ Easy to set up and use for basic transactions.
- ✓ Good for managing both retail and service sales.
- ✓ Solid payment processing options.
- ✗ Core system lacks deep brewpub-specific features.
- ✗ Relying on apps can create a less integrated experience.
- ✗ Advanced inventory for brewing may require multiple third-party solutions.
Pricing: Hardware starts at $0. Software plans from $14.95/month to $100+/month, plus apps.
Square
Best for: New or small brewpubs with simple needs and a limited budget.
Square works for brewpubs starting with simple needs. It handles basic sales well. However, its inventory and reporting lack depth for complex brewing and restaurant operations.
- ✓ Easy to start with a free plan and affordable hardware.
- ✓ Good for basic counter service and quick transactions.
- ✓ Integrated payment processing.
- ✓ Can manage a basic retail component for packaged goods.
- ✓ User-friendly interface.
- ✗ Brewery inventory management is basic, not designed for raw ingredients or batch costing.
- ✗ Lacks advanced restaurant features like detailed table management.
- ✗ Reporting is general, not brewpub-specific.
- ✗ Transaction fees can add up with high volume.
Pricing: Free plan (plus processing fees) to $60/month for Square for Restaurants. Hardware extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a brewpub POS track specific beer batch costs?
Yes. Top systems like Lavu offer ingredient-level inventory. You can monitor usage and calculate costs per batch and per pint.
Does it handle both table service and quick taproom orders?
Yes. Most leading brewpub POS systems support both. They offer floor plan management and quick counter transactions.
Is online ordering for packaged beer and food possible?
Yes. Many modern POS systems include or integrate with online ordering. This expands your sales channels.
Can I manage staff schedules and payroll through the POS?
Yes. Many systems include employee management features. These allow scheduling, time clock functions, and payroll integrations.
Will the POS track my keg and bottle inventory?
Yes. Specialized brewpub POS solutions track finished goods like kegs and bottles. This manages stock levels and prevents losses.
How do brewpub-specific analytics help my business?
Brewpub analytics reveal sales trends for specific beers and optimize production. Lavu’s Marty gives predictive insights to guide your brewing and marketing efforts.
Can I integrate a loyalty program with my brewpub POS?
Yes. Many systems offer built-in loyalty programs or integrations. This rewards repeat customers and builds engagement.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
