If there’s one piece of merch that consistently earns its spot at the top, it’s headwear. Hats are one of the most popular and versatile products you can offer. They appeal to a wide range of customers, don’t require guessing sizes, and are easy to display, pack, ship, and restock. From taproom regulars and brewery staff to event attendees and loyal fans, a great hat is the kind of merch people reach for again and again.
Best of all, there’s a hat style for just about every brand personality. Classic truckers, laid-back dad hats, grandpa rope hats, performance styles, flat bills, seven-panels, and beyond. The options can feel endless, which is great for creativity but can make it difficult to know where to start. Choosing the right style means balancing your brand, audience, budget, timeline, and decoration goals.
That’s where Brewery Branding comes in. We offer multiple hat programs designed to fit different needs, from quick-turn stock hats featuring trusted brands to fully custom hats built from the ground up. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between our programs, explore the most popular hat styles, and help you get a handle on which option makes the most sense for your project. So sit back, cap-ture some inspiration, and let’s tip our hats to the wide world of custom headwear!
Overview
Our custom hat program provides complete creative freedom from the ground up. With full customization options, you can choose from a wide range of decoration styles, fabric colors, fits, and silhouettes for a truly one‑of‑a‑kind product. Available in both standard and premium versions, custom hats require longer production timelines of 7-11 weeks and higher minimums beginning at 144 units. In return, they deliver significantly better value, offering lower per‑unit pricing and endless design possibilities for brands looking to stand out.
Our stock hat program features the trusted brands you already know and love and are an excellent choice for adding patches. Stock hats offer faster turnaround times, typically 4-7 weeks, and lower minimums starting at 50 units, making them ideal for smaller runs or quick replenishments. While stock hats are slightly higher in price per unit, they provide reliability, speed, and familiarity.
Key Comparisons
| Stock Hats | Custom Hats | |
| Brands | Emblem, Richardson, AS Colour, Yupoong, etc. | Completely custom! Cut and sewn overseas |
| Production Time | 4-7 weeks | 7-11 weeks |
| Minimum Quantity | 50 | 144 |
| Price | Starting at $11.50 | Starting at $8.99 ($2 off during Group Buy!) |
| Customization Options | Patch or direct embroidery only | Endless options! |
