Episodes
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In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we chat with Grace Robbings, Co-Founder, and Larry Rock, Sales Representative, of Reubenâs Brews in Seattle! We shine a light on their work with the Mosaic State Brewers Collective, a mentorship program empowering underrepresented people to build careers in the craft beer industry.
A few highlights include:
Hear how the craft beer landscape has changed through the eyes of Larry, a veteran in the industry since the mid-1980s!Learn about the Collectiveâs educational programming that includes three levels of training opportunities, designed to develop diverse leaders in craftDiscover the ins-and-outs of the Collectiveâs first-year "brewing school," where mentees followed a beer's full lifecycle from brewing to marketing.Grace and Larryâs passion and experience make this an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss!
Links:
Mosaic State Brewers Collective - Website
Reubenâs Brews - Website
MĂ©tier Brewing Company - Website
Ombili IPA -
In this episode, we sit down with Teo Hunter, co-founder of Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., a pioneering Black-owned craft brewery championing diversity, inclusion, and (emphasis on the) equity in the craft beer industry.
Some of what we cover:
Find out why operating on an island in 2024 could be hurting your business and why leaning on and uplifting other craft businesses is the way forward.The creation of the National Black Brewers Association and its mission to elevate the Black brewing community.Suggestions on how breweries can genuinely embrace inclusivity without feeling like they are compromising their breweryâs identity.Teoâs dedication to the craft industry is truly inspiring, and his decades of experience offer valuable insights you won't want to miss!
Crowns and Hops - Website
Crowns and Hops - Instagram
National Black Brewers AssociationSubscribe for more insight
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In this episode, we chat with Chris Cesnek and Brandon Monroe, the creative co-founders of Paperback Brewing Company. Their breweryâs edgy, 80s and 90s pop culture-inspired design has captivated Los Angeles locals, creating a truly memorable brand experience.
A few topics we cover in this episode:
How storytelling shapes a breweryâs brand identity.Strategies to tackle ârelease fatigueâ for a consistent and sustainable marketing plan.Tips on refreshing or rebranding your brewery.With backgrounds in advertising, Chris and Brandon share a wealth of branding insights. Whether you're looking to reinvent your brand or stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with valuable advice. Donât miss it!
Links:
Paperback Brewing Company - Website
Paperback Brewing Company - Instagram
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In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we delve into the world of brewery financial management with Kary Shumway,creator of Beer Business Finance. Drawing upon his decades of experience, we chat about topics for brewery owners striving to excel in today's industry, such as:
How to (actually) manage cash flow and why relying solely on gut feeling to make decisions isnât cutting itWhen contract brewing makes sense and when it doesnâtWhere to invest just 10 minutes of daily learning to make a big difference over time in understanding your breweryâs financesAs Kary points out, the notion that "accounting and financial literacy are best left to others" is an outdated mindset. It's time to take ownership, and Kary provides a unique viewpoint on where to get started.
Beer Business Finance Website: https://www.bbfassociation.org
Craft Brewery Financial Training Website: https://craftbreweryfinance.comSubscribe for more insight: https://sbstandard.com/insights
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In this episode, we sit down with Phillip McLamb, COO and Co-Founder of Resident Culture Brewing, to chat about what it takes to self-distribute in 2024.
From day one, Resident Culture was self-distributing. However, itâs taken years of trial and error for Phillip and his team to dial in this aspect of their business, projecting $3 million in revenue from self-distribution alone this year.
A few topics we explore:
The pros and cons of leasing vs. purchasing a fleet of vehicles.The value of maintaining control over your brand's distribution rights.When itâs time for you (the owner) to step in as a sales rep becauseâas Chris saysââ...there's no one better than the founder to sell the brand and its story.âIf you are already self-distributing or you're on the fence about taking the leap, you wonât want to miss the valuable insight from Phillip in this episode.
Resident Culture - Website
Resident Culture - Instagram
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In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we welcome Andrew Coplon, Founder of Craft Beer Professionals and Secret Hopper to explore his unique insights on curating a fantastic customer experience in the taproom... and why thatâs more important than ever.
Just a few of the topics we cover:
How to create what Andrew calls a âWow! Experienceâ using his Taproom Venn Diagram: beer, memorable atmosphere, and engaging staff.Andrewâs take on the current epidemic of taproom staffing issues, and how to tap into the personalized motivations of each of your staff members through rewards, recognition, and opportunities.Why tabs are 30% higher in environments your customers perceive as âhigh engagementâ and how to create high engagement through goal setting and tracking, training time-on-calendar, and most importantly, consistency.At one point in the episode, Andrew claims âtaproomâ is his middle name, and it shows. Heâs a wealth of knowledge with direct, on-the-ground experience and offers a perspective you wonât want to miss.
Links:
Craft Beer Professionals - Website
Secret Hopper - Website
Venn Diagram of Taproom Experience
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On todayâs episode of The True Craft Podcast, Chris sits down with Dave Morgan, co-founder of Single Speed Brewing, to dig into their Parallel Brewery Collective concept.
Highlighting the collective's ability to combine efforts and share resources, Dave unveils how thinking creatively about breweries can collaborate can unlock hidden opportunities for reducing expenses and maximizing distribution opportunities.
Can this strategy reshape how independent breweries pursue wholesale growth in our industry? Listen and let us know what you think.
Links:
Parallel Brewery Collective - Website
Single Speed Brewing - Website
Single Speed Brewing - Instagram
Daveâs Contact:
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In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we delve into niche branding and marketing strategies with Nick and Christina Lumsden, the innovative minds behind Dogleg Brewing. With a passion for both golf and beer, they've seamlessly merged their passions to create a distinctive brand and customer experience that has greatly benefitted their business.
Main takeaway: It is essential to not only identify your ânicheâ but cultivate a lasting community. From leveraging distribution initiatives to multi-channel marketing efforts, Nick and Christina share actionable insights on how to authentically connect with your target audience and foster lasting relationships.
Links:
Dogleg Brewing Company - Website
Dogleg Brewing Company - Instagram
Dogleg Brewing Company - Facebook
Nick and Christinaâs Contact Info:
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Julie Rhodes of Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions joins us on todayâs episode of the True Craft Podcast to share some of her hard-won, craft-specific marketing advice to help you sell more beer, including:
Which marketing strategies are most effective for wholesale vs. taproom How to leverage local influencers to market your beer to your target demographicHow to measure the results of your marketing campaigns so you know whatâs working and whatâs notWhether youâve been marketing for years or have no idea where to begin, Julie provides industry-specific clarity on what to do and why.
Links:
Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions - Website
Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions - LinkedIn
Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions - Instagram
Julieâs Contact:
Book a Discovery Call
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Gabrielle Blanco, Owner of Buckstin Brewing, joined us for this killer episode of The True Craft Podcast. With a long history in the restaurant industry and a booming brewery (thatâs currently expanding), Gabi advocates for why all breweries should operate their own kitchens.
By keeping it simple and having systems in place, every brewery can operate a profitable kitchen. And no excuses on size â Buckstinâs kitchen is a whopping 128 square feet.
First steps, helpful tips, real-life examples, and key systems â all this and more on todayâs episode.
Links:
Buckstin Brewing - Website
Buckstin Brewing - Instagram
Buckstin Brewing - FacebookGabrielleâs Contact:
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We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Tressler of Hinterland Brewery and Restaurant on todayâs episode of The True Craft Podcast!
With nearly three decades of experience, Michelle sheds light on the immense value that a solid food program can have on your breweryâs long term success. Food has the ability to carry your brewery through downturns, which Michelle has experienced firsthand.
Be bold. Push the envelope on flavor. Donât settle for frozen pizzas or basic pub fare.
And remember: Everybody has to eat, but no one has to drink.
Links:
Hinterland Brewery and Restaurant - Website
Hinterland Beer - Instagram
Hinterland Brewery - FacebookMichelleâs Contact:
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On todayâs episode of The True Craft Podcast, no stone is left unturned. Katy and Chris welcome Richard Fennell of C&G Brewing out of Dallas, TX.
From managing thirty-six âbeer gunâ taps to navigating Texas beer laws, this episode takes a look at a wide variety of topics. We even discuss strategic ways to maximize margins in distribution and ask a very timely question: âHas craft left the next generation behind?â
Links:
C&G Brewing - Website
C&G Brewing - FacebookBook a Discovery Call
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Join Katy Noel and Chris Farmand for a very special episode of The True Craft Podcast. In this weekâs episode, we welcome Adam Ruhland of Wild State Cider to dive into the dynamic world of cider.
We explore trends shaping the craft market, address the unique profile of cider drinkers, unpack how to form a portfolio, and compare beer vs. cider regulations.
In the end, we conclude that cider has a) less regulations than beer and b) far less competition than craft beer. But what does that mean for the craft industry? I invite you to listen to learn more.
Links:
Wild State Cider - Website
Wild State Cider - Instagram
Wild State Cider - FacebookBook a Discovery Call
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We are thrilled to kick off the new year by welcoming Russell Heissner of Barrel House Z onto The True Craft Podcast!
Russ is truly a wealth of knowledge in brewing sustainability. Having developed technology to upcycle spent grain, breweries can reduce waste hauling costs, make more beer from existing inputs, reduce their environmental impact, and tell a sustainability story.
Will this be the next revolution in craft beer? Listen now and let us know what you think.
Links:
Zenso Labs - Website
Zenso Labs - InstagramBarrel House Z - Website
Barrel House Z - Instagram
Barrel House Z - FacebookBook a Discovery Call
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We are thrilled to welcome Zack OâConnor, Senior Vice President of Fort George Brewing Company onto the True Craft Podcast this week.
Strategic planning has often been treated as a once-a-year check box on a to-do list, but what if thereâs a better, significantly more impactful way? Zack sheds valuable insight into his collaborative approach, always-evolving process, and growth mindset around strategic planning.
Thereâs something about the pairing of resilience and humility that really does it for us over here at SBS â and this episode hits hard.
Links:
Fort George Brewery - Website
Fort George Brewery - Instagram
Fort George Brewery - FacebookZackâs Reading Recommendations:
Great by Choice by Jim Collins
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniBook a Discovery Call
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In a special iteration of The True Craft Podcast, Katy interviews Chris on his reflections of the various investments made at Small Batch Standard in 2023.
Get a glimpse at the inner workings of SBS, including how weâve built out our team this year and the impact thatâs had on client services. Learn about how our benchmarking software, Compass, has completely been rebuilt and what weâre projecting for SBS and our clients in 2024.
Links:
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Today on The True Craft Podcast, Chris and Katy welcome Philip Maple from Barley & Pie Brewing Company. Join us as we explore Philip's sourdough journey including the trials and triumphs of mastering the craft.
What forethought and strategies are essential to success when opening breweries in todayâs market? What value does having a niche add to your business plan? Does pairing passions make your model stronger?
All this and more on todayâs episode.
Links:
Barley & Pie - Website
Barley & Pie - Instagram
Barley & Pie - FacebookBook a Discovery Call
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While weâre often discussing beer, there is another whole side to craft: spirits. How do buying behaviors differ between beer and spirits consumers? What can we learn about each segment of this industry through the lens of the other?
Join Katy, Chris, and Colin Spoelman of Kings County Distillery this week on the True Craft Podcast as they dive into regionalization, industry trends for spirits vs. beer, and what seems to be on the horizon for both.
Links:
Kings County Distillery - Website
Kings County Distillery - InstagramBook a Discovery Call
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Itâs no secret: We both know youâre likely not raking in cash from the wholesale side of your business. Join Chris and Katy on this weekâs episode of the True Craft Podcast to get a peek at an internal conversation weâre having all the time.
What do we uncover when we split your brewery out by business units? Hereâs a hint: thereâs no room for error. Regardless of how well youâve dialed in wholesale, it can only be so profitable. Where does that leave us?
Listen now to get an inside look at how Small Batch Standard views wholesale and what weâre encouraging brewery owners to do to stay afloat in this era of craft.
Links:
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It isnât as simple as it used to be, is it? Good liquid alone just doesnât cut it anymore.
This week on The True Craft Podcast, Chris and Katy are joined by Mark Bjornstad from Drekker Brewing to discuss the role of alternate revenue streams in the brewing space. Mark comes from a unique perspective of also owning and operating Brewhalla, a beer-themed boutique hotel that sits on top of Drekker Brewing.
Thereâs something to be said for cultivating a new kind of customer experience â and in this climate, brewery owners would be wise to do the same.
Links:
Drekker Brewing - Website
Drekker Brewing - InstagramBrewhalla - Website
Brewhalla - InstagramBook a Discovery Call
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