The verdict in three sentences
For a Manchester craft brewery selling gift packs and mixed cases online while supplying kegs to pubs, bars and bottle shops, Shopify ranks first in 2026 thanks to fast checkout, reliable age verification apps and strong UK courier integrations. WooCommerce is the best value for a brewery that wants full control of trade accounts and keg deposits, and Odoo wins if brewing, stock and invoicing already run on Odoo. Expect 7,000 to 30,000 GBP (2026 market ballpark) to build the store, with the trade area driving most of the variation.
What makes brewery ecommerce different
Selling alcohol online comes with obligations. Under the Licensing Act 2003 you need the right premises licence for remote sales and you must not sell to under 18s, so most breweries use an age gate on entry plus age verification at checkout or on delivery, often applying Challenge 25 practice. Pubs and bars expect trade accounts showing duty paid prices excluding VAT, minimum order quantities and a keg deposit system: deposit charged on delivery, credited when the empty keg returns. Since alcohol duty changed in 2023, including Small Producer Relief, your pricing logic should be reviewed by your accountant against HMRC guidance before you build it into the store.
2026 platform ranking
| Rank | Platform | Subscription or hosting, 2026 ballpark | Build by an agency (market) | Trade accounts and keg deposits | Exit ease | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopify | 25 to 350 GBP a month depending on plan | 7,000 to 22,000 GBP | Native B2B on higher plans, otherwise third party apps | Good for data, theme not portable | Breweries where gift packs lead revenue |
| 2 | WooCommerce | Hosting 20 to 70 GBP a month, paid plugins extra | 7,000 to 18,000 GBP | Yes, via B2B and deposit plugins | Very good, you own code and data | Mixed consumer and trade stores |
| 3 | Odoo (ecommerce app) | Monthly subscription, public price varies by apps and users | 10,000 to 30,000 GBP with configuration | Yes, customer pricing and deposits in the ERP | Medium, tied to ERP | Breweries already on Odoo |
| 4 | BigCommerce | Monthly subscription, public price varies by plan | 9,000 to 24,000 GBP | Native B2B features on some plans | Good | Larger catalogues, multi channel |
| 5 | Custom build by an agency (Kolonell among other options) | Hosting and support per contract | Kolonell's prices: 3,050 to 5,340 EUR for a Premium ecommerce site, plus options | Per specification | Good if code is handed over | Simple needs, tight budget |
Shopify leads here because a Manchester brewery usually earns more margin on direct gift packs than on trade kegs, and checkout reliability matters most at Christmas. WooCommerce closes the gap when trade sales exceed half of online revenue.
Three year total cost
| Over 36 months, 2026 ballpark | Shopify | WooCommerce | Odoo | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | 13,000 GBP | 12,000 GBP | 19,000 GBP | 15,000 GBP |
| Subscription or hosting | 3,600 GBP (mid plan) | 1,500 GBP | Per existing Odoo licence | 3,600 GBP |
| Apps and plugins | 2,500 to 5,000 GBP | 1,200 to 2,500 GBP | Mostly included | 1,500 to 3,500 GBP |
| Stock sync with Odoo | 2,500 to 10,000 GBP | 2,500 to 10,000 GBP | Native | 2,500 to 10,000 GBP |
| Maintenance | 3,600 GBP (100 a month) | 6,300 GBP (175 a month) | 6,300 GBP | 3,600 GBP |
| Indicative total without Odoo | 22,700 to 25,200 GBP | 21,000 to 22,300 GBP | Not applicable | 23,700 to 25,700 GBP |
If the brewery runs on Odoo, the sync line adds 2,500 to 10,000 GBP to every other platform, which makes Odoo competitive despite a higher build cost.
Mini case study
Illustrative example, not a real client: Tom, co-founder of a 10 person brewery in Manchester, sells 500 gift packs a month in Q4 and supplies 70 pubs and bottle shops. He picks Shopify with a B2B app for 13,000 GBP, with a 30 GBP keg deposit (internal assumption). Moving trade orders from phone and email to accounts saves 25 hours a month, about 750 GBP at an assumed 30 GBP loaded hourly cost. With a 10% lift in gift pack sales from faster checkout, the build pays back in under 18 months.
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FAQ
Which platform is best for a craft brewery in 2026?
Shopify suits breweries where consumer gift packs drive revenue, with a build of 7,000 to 22,000 GBP. WooCommerce is better value when trade orders exceed 50% of online sales.
How do we handle keg deposits online?
Add the deposit as a separate line on the order and credit it when the empty keg returns. Most platforms support this through apps, plugins or configuration costing a few hundred to 2,000 GBP.
Is age verification required?
Selling alcohol to under 18s is illegal under the Licensing Act 2003, so an age gate plus verification at checkout or delivery is expected. Check your licence conditions and Home Office guidance before launch.
Should pub prices be duty paid?
Yes, trade buyers expect duty paid prices excluding VAT, clearly shown after login. Your accountant should confirm how Small Producer Relief affects each price before you load 100% of the trade list.
How long until launch?
As a 2026 ballpark, 6 to 10 weeks on Shopify or WooCommerce and 10 to 16 weeks on Odoo with configuration. Aim to launch by September for the Christmas gift season.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your consumer and trade split, your stock system and delivery constraints, and we will recommend a platform and price the store, with 21 to 30 business days for a Premium build. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
