In today's podcast we dive into the wonderful world of beer distribution with Laura Lodge from Customized Craft Beer Programs . Laura has a tremendous amount of experience with beer distribution and in our conversation she shares her knowledge freely. Key Topics Benefits of working with a wholesaler Pitfalls to avoid in the brewery-wholesaler relationship Distribution contracts: What you need to know Key elements to a good brewery-wholesaler partnership Resources Laura's book: Distribution Insig...
Feb 23, 2022•53 min
In today's podcast we hear from Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers' Association. Bart is a self-described "stats geek, beer lover, and Certified Cicerone®." And he holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. So, the Beer Data Doctor is in the house. In our conversation we dig into the 2021 beer data and get Bart's key takeaways, trends, and outlook for the coming year. We also talk about "craft's leaky bucket" and how brewers can use this concept to maintain or grow market...
Feb 16, 2022•52 min
In today's podcast we talk contract brewing with Brewmaster Mitch Steele from New Realm Brewing. Mitch shares what the contract brewing process looks like, the contract terms you need to know, and how to structure pricing. Key Topics Contract brewing tracking data How to structure contract brewing pricing The key steps in the contract brewing process Lessons learned, mistakes to avoid, in contract brewing Resources Learn more about New Realm Brewing Company Contact Mitch for info on their contra...
Feb 09, 2022•31 min
In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of the Taproom Success monthly Q&A. In this session, Andrew Coplon and I discuss a wide range of topics, including best practices and lessons learned from taproom owners and managers. Key Topics Covered 2022 beer industry look ahead: packaging trends, seltzer outlook, on-premise business, and overall beer consumption rates. Focus on taproom key metrics: 2022 Most important measurements. Financing update: Market trends to share for taproom owne...
Feb 02, 2022•39 min
In today's podcast we hear from Lester Jones, chief economist for the National Beer Wholesalers Association. Lester provides a recap of 2021 and his outlook for the beer industry in the year ahead. In our conversation we dig deep into the data and review the key topics for beer wholesaler owners and managers: Total beer consumption in the US Packaging trends, and the outlook for cans, bottles and draft Forecast for on-premise business Past, present and future of seltzers Lester also shares his f...
Jan 24, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Today we talk brewery financing and get an update on the state of the lending industry with Jason Sleeman, VP of Craft Beverage Lending for United Community Bank. Jason shares his perspective on the current state of the market, financial relief packages, and the inner workings of how the loan process works. Key Topics Banking behind the scenes: What you really need in order to get a loan Loan processing times: 45 days to 14 months...tips to get approved faster How to build your team of brewery p...
Jan 18, 2022•43 min
In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of the Taproom Success Membership monthly Q&A call. In this discussion, Andrew Coplon and I talk about a wide variety of topics ranging from contingency planning for taprooms to how to build relationships among your front/back of house taproom staff. Key Topics How to reward and motivate your taproom employees Team building tactics to help drive more revenue through your taproom How to use accountability and a proven system to build your finan...
Dec 28, 2021•43 min
Today we are going to talk about goal setting and New Year's Resolutions. We'll talk about a framework you can use to create goals that stick. We'll look at systems, models, and techniques you can use to set your goals and achieve them in 2022. Key Topics Business Plan Goals...Start with your Core Values (what do you stand for?) Financial Plan Goals SWOT Analysis Process vs. Outcome Goals The 3 Step Secret Weapon for 2022 (Eliminate, Automate, Delegate) Resources Learn more about the book Re-Wor...
Dec 27, 2021•21 min
In today's podcast we hear from Kim McKinnish, CFO and SVP of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). Kim and I talk about a wide range of topics including the mission of the NBWA, membership benefits, NBWA's Next Generation Leadership Group, and the newly launched BREW initiative, Building Relationships and Empowering Women . We also discuss the current state of the beer industry, best practices and business lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Topics How wholesalers can ...
Dec 21, 2021•39 min
Preston Andreini is a firefighter, first responder and now he's opening up his own brewery: Red Engine Brewing. And if that's not enough, he's started his own podcast to share lessons learned with others who may want to start their own brewery. In this podcast, Preston and I walk through the details of creating a startup brewery financial plan. Preston talks through the obstacles he faced while creating his plan, and shares how he overcame these challenges. Key Topics Using "Knowns and Assumptio...
Dec 08, 2021•1 hr 14 min
What if there was a place where you could learn everything about starting a new brewery? And what if that place was online, accessible to anyone, and totally free? No need to think about the 'what ifs' because Laura Lodge and attorney Candace Moon have built such a place, and they call it StartABrewery.com. In today's podcast you'll hear from Laura Lodge about why she co-founded StartABrewery.com, who the site is for, and what resources you'll find there. Key Topics Covered Tips on where to begi...
Dec 01, 2021•46 min
In today's podcast we hear from Josh Lance, founder of Lance CPA Group. Josh's firm specializes in breweries, with a focus on bookkeeping services, tax planning and preparation, and small business advisory services. Josh and I talk about a number of issues facing brewery operators these days: year end planning strategies, cash management tools, and how to make sure you're in compliance with all the rules surrounding PPP, ERTC, RRF and other stimulus packages. Key Topics Most common financial que...
Nov 24, 2021•37 min
In today's podcast we talk about legal year end planning tactics with attorney John Szymankiewicz from the Beer Law Center. The Beer Law Center provides legal solutions to the craft beverage industry, and John provides tips that brewers need to know right now. Key Topics Best practices, tips and checklists for legal planning How John is guiding his brewery clients with year end planning What you need to know about: Contract reviews, lease reviews, and trademarks Watch out for these legal areas t...
Nov 17, 2021•40 min
Today we review year end planning tips and strategies with Chris Farmand, founder and CEO of Small Batch Standard. We cover the most common questions, concerns and obstacles that brewery owners are facing these days, and provide resources to help solve these challenges. Topics Covered Planning tactics for PPP, ERC, and EIDL Benchmarking tools for breweries Accounting technology: Chris' favorite software stack for breweries Rules of thumb for when you need a brewery software tool Top benefits of ...
Nov 10, 2021•34 min
In today's podcast we hear from Jon Reynolds from BrewPlan, LLC and dig in to all the details of an ABP (annual business plan). We talk about what an ABP is, why it's important, why you need it, and how it works. In a nutshell, the ABP is a brewery-wholesaler planning process that sets the game plan for getting your beer to market. If you work with a wholesaler you need to understand the ABP to position your brewery for success. Key Topics Most useful tool in your ABP: The brand calendar How to ...
Nov 03, 2021•46 min
In this episode you'll hear the audio version of our webinar to introduce the Taproom Success Membership. This new membership opportunity connects you with a community of experts and taproom owners/managers to help you achieve success in your taproom. The Taproom Success Membership gives you the tools, resources, and support you need to manage and grow your taproom business. From fundamentals, to best practices, backed by data, and actionable strategies, the Taproom Success Membership fills the ...
Sep 21, 2021•39 min
Today we'll talk about one of my favorite topics: Open Book Management (OBM). OBM is a system to share financial information with everyone in the brewery. It's about open, honest and transparent communication. And it's a great way to engage and empower employees. Topics Covered What open book is...and What it isn't... Why you might consider OBM How to evaluate if it's right for your business Steps to put OBM into practice My 3 Favorite OBM books... Resources Brewery Open Book Management Course S...
Sep 14, 2021•36 min
Craft Peak is a technology company that builds websites and e-commerce solutions for some of the world's leading craft beer brands. In this episode we hear from CEO and Founder, John Kelley. He describes Craft Peak as a hybrid of a web agency and a technology company. But mostly, he loves developing cool tools for breweries. Main Topics Key metrics: What to measure when talking websites How to use memberships to drive sales Online beer sales, platform they offer, how it all works Resources Learn...
Sep 03, 2021•39 min
Brew Movers was recently featured in Forbes under the heading: The secret weapon for breweries? A shipping company called Brew Movers. A cool title and a very interesting read. Brew Movers is a farm to glass shipping and logistics company for the beer industry. They specialize in beer shipping and understand the unique challenges facing craft breweries. In this podcast we'll hear how Brew Movers can help you manage logistics to improve on shipping costs to save time and money in your business. K...
Sep 03, 2021•29 min
A lot of businesses fail because they run out of cash. In this podcast you’ll get a crash course in brewery cash flow planning to help your brewery survive and thrive in tough times. Key topics covered in the podcast: The 10 Laws of business... Cash flow basics: Accrual vs cash accounting How to identify and monitor the key drivers of brewery cash flow Simple cash flow templates you can use in your business Listen to the podcast and learn how to build a cash flow plan for your brewery business. ...
Aug 31, 2021•44 min
In this podcast you’ll get a crash course in brewery debt financing so that you can create a solid funding plan for your business. We’ll cover loan terms, types and typical brewery financing structures. We’ll review how your lender will evaluate your brewery business so that you can prepare and put yourself in the best position to get the funding you need. Key topics covered in the podcast: How to build a financing plan for your brewery so that you have access to capital when you need it Example...
Aug 24, 2021•46 min
In this podcast you’ll get a crash course in brewery financial forecasting so that you can create an action-oriented plan to help you improve financial results in your business. Key topics covered in the podcast: How to create a brewery financial pro forma Financial planning basics - first steps to get the plan on paper Key considerations in building your financial plan Listen to the podcast and learn how to use brewery financial projections to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up f...
Aug 17, 2021•49 min
In this podcast you’ll get a crash course in brewery finances. A good working knowledge of brewery finances will allow you to track, measure and monitor financial performance of your business. At Craft Brewery Financial Training.com we believe in the sanctity of the beer, and the sanctity of the numbers. In this podcast, we’ll help you with the numbers! Key topics covered in the podcast: What brewery financial statements should look like Brewery chart of accounts best practices Key financial met...
Aug 10, 2021•53 min
In this podcast we dig in on Brewery Taproom Metrics. We’ll review four key taproom scorecards that you can use to measure, monitor and improve results in your brewery. Four specific taproom scorecards we cover: Sales focused (to grow revenue) Operational metrics (to improve non-financial performance) Financial metrics (to watch your financial results) One Thing Scorecard (to focus on the one most important thing) Key topics covered in the podcast: How to create four different scorecards for you...
Jul 29, 2021•37 min
In today’s podcast we hear from Kyle Rheiner from Arthur Hall Insurance. Kyle leads the Food and Beverage Division and specializes in insurance needs for craft breweries. Key Topics Covered in the Podcast: One simple tip that can save you thousands of dollars on your premiums Workers compensation insurance: How it works, and how to reduce costs How things have changed since the pandemic: specific insurance needs for breweries in this new, post-pandemic world Bonus topic: Kyle’s favorite books ab...
Jul 06, 2021•40 min
In this podcast we talk about brewery financial literacy - the ability to read and understand the numbers of your business so that you can monitor and improve results. Key Topics Covered Financial Building Blocks: Chart of Accounts, General Ledger Brewery Financial Reports: Overview and Examples Financial Routines and Month end Process checklists Building and training your team: Out-Sourcing Options Listen to the podcast and learn how to use brewery financials to drive profitable growth in your ...
Jun 29, 2021•31 min
In this podcast we hear from Joe Isaacs from National Resource Management. Joe shares his insights on energy reducing programs that may be available for your brewery. I’ve worked with NRM on several energy saving projects in the past and have found their team to be professional and profitable for our business. I encourage you to reach out to NRM so that you can “Go Green” and “Save Green”. Key Topics Covered in the Podcast: Drivers of energy costs: Usage, rates, fees (and how it all works) Energ...
Jun 22, 2021•35 min
In this podcast we hear from Ross Ackerman from GP Analytics. Ross shares his insights on forecasting beer sales, reacting to change, and creating a common language between wholesalers and breweries to drive sales. Key Topics Covered in the Podcast: Tips for forecasting sales this summer selling season Raw material shortages (cans, cardboard, etc) The return of on-premise and how to prepare your brewery production Resources Learn more about GP Analytics Learn more about the Craft Portal Listen t...
Jun 18, 2021•25 min
In today's podcast you'll hear the audio from a recent webinar introducing the new Taproom Success Membership which officially launches on August 1st. The Taproom Success Membership connects you with a community of experts and taproom owners/managers to help you achieve success in your taproom. Key Topics 5 Taproom Business Myths Our Proven Process for Taproom Success One Thing you can do right now to improve taproom results Claim your 50% savings on the membership! Use coupon code EARLYBIRD at ...
Jun 17, 2021•39 min
In this podcast, you’ll hear the audio of our webinar on beer distribution strategies for craft breweries. We’ll cover the financial and operational considerations to get your beer to market during this uncertain time. Key Topics How to build successful relationships with your beer distributors to grow sales Resources to analyze self-distribution options Beer Pricing and margin tools and models Resources Get the course deck and spreadsheet tools Learn more about the 2021 Brewery Financial Traini...
May 31, 2021•40 min
