Respecting the Beer McFleshman's Brewing Co

Learn from our mistakes! Gary Ardnt grills three brewery owners on their mistakes when opening a brewery. Bobby and Allison Fleshman of McFleshmans, Steve Lonsway of Stone Arch Brew Pub, and Oliver Behm of Hop Yard Ale Works reminisce on hard lessons they've learned while opening breweries and why they keep doing it, despite the challenges.
Got a question about beer or just want to get social? Join the RtB Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer
GUEST BIOS
// Steve Lonsway //
Stonearch Brew Pub, Owner, Founder, CEO
https://www.stonearchbrewpub.com/
Steve's brewing journey began in college in 1991 after discovering his passion for home brewing. Partnering with his father and brother, they established Homebrew Market in 1993 then Steve further honed his skills at the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology in 1996. As Corporate Brew Master of a local brewery, he oversaw multiple locations before starting Stone Arch with his father in 2004. Steve enjoys traveling with his wife, two daughters and rescue dog, supporting the Chicago Bears, and finding solace in his yard and parlor.
// Oliver Behm //
Hop Yard Ale Works, Owner, Founder, Brewer
https://hopyardaleworks.com/
Oliver & Amy Behm were born and raised in the Fox Valley. Their passion for food & love for beer took them on many adventures across the county. What they created for you is a collaboration of the best parts of their memories. Their wish is you enjoy the atmosphere, community and brewery experience as much as they did to risk it all, and follow their dreams!
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TIMELINE
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:22 Challenges of Starting a Brewery
01:45 Learning from Mistakes
03:51 Financial Struggles and Planning
10:29 The Importance of Banking Relationships
15:48 Cost of Starting a Brewery
18:06 Personal Stories and Experiences
19:32 Why We Keep Brewing
21:11 Conclusion and Farewell
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Hosts:
Bobby Fleshman
Allison McCoy-Fleshman
Gary Ardnt
Music by Sarah Lynn Huss
Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow
Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

How are local brewers making the Fox Cities a destination for brewing? Gary Arndt, Bobby Fleshman, and Allison McCoy are joined again by special guests Steve Lonsway of the Stone Arch Brewery and Oliver Behm from the Hop Yard. The discussion centers around the potential for the Fox Cities area to become a craft beer destination for more than just locals. The guests share insights on what it takes for a community to attract beer tourists, the cultural impact of breweries, and the collaboration required among local brewers to foster a vibrant beer scene.
Got a question about beer or just want to get social? Join the RtB Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer
Guest BiosSteve LonswayStonearch Brew Pub, Owner, Founder, CEO
https://www.stonearchbrewpub.com/
Steve's brewing journey began in college in 1991 after discovering his passion for home brewing. Partnering with his father and brother, they established Homebrew Market in 1993 then Steve further honed his skills at the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology in 1996. As Corporate Brew Master of a local brewery, he oversaw multiple locations before starting Stone Arch with his father in 2004. Steve enjoys traveling with his wife, two daughters and rescue dog, supporting the Chicago Bears, and finding solace in his yard and parlor.
Oliver Behm,Hop Yard Ale Works, Owner, Founder, Brewer
https://hopyardaleworks.com/
Oliver & Amy Behm were born and raised in the Fox Valley. Their passion for food & love for beer took them on many adventures across the county. What they created for you is a collaboration of the best parts of their memories.
Their wish is you enjoy the atmosphere, community and brewery experience as much as they did to risk it all, and follow their dreams!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:19 The Rise of Craft Beer Destinations
01:19 Fox Cities as a Craft Beer Destination
03:46 Challenges and Collaboration in the Craft Beer Industry
11:18 Promoting Appleton and Fox Cities as Beer Destinations
15:47 The Charm of Appleton's Downtown
16:20 Craft Beer and Community Growth
19:20 The Evolution of Appleton's Bar Scene
20:17 Family and Community at Breweries
23:53 The Role of Regulars in Brewery Success
25:47 Expanding Brewery Locations and Challenges
29:24 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up
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Hosts:
Bobby Fleshman
Allison McCoy-Fleshman
Gary Ardnt
Music by Sarah Lynn Huss
Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow
Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

Appleton is a thriving brewing community and we've brought two other local brewers to prove it: Steve Lonsway of Stone Arch Brewpub and Oliver Behm of Hop Yard Ale Works. Gary, Bobby, and Allison host a round table with the two fellow brewers to discuss how they got their start, what their specialties are, and what they give guests who ask for the closest thing to Budlight.
Got a question about beer or just want to get social? Join the RtB Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer
Guest BiosSteve LonswayStonearch Brew Pub, Owner, Founder, CEO
https://www.stonearchbrewpub.com/
Steve's brewing journey began in college in 1991 after discovering his passion for home brewing. Partnering with his father and brother, they established Homebrew Market in 1993 then Steve further honed his skills at the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology in 1996. As Corporate Brew Master of a local brewery, he oversaw multiple locations before starting Stone Arch with his father in 2004. Steve enjoys traveling with his wife, two daughters and rescue dog, supporting the Chicago Bears, and finding solace in his yard and parlor.
Oliver Behm,Hop Yard Ale Works, Owner, Founder, Brewer
https://hopyardaleworks.com/
Oliver & Amy Behm were born and raised in the Fox Valley. Their passion for food & love for beer took them on many adventures across the county. What they created for you is a collaboration of the best parts of their memories.
Their wish is you enjoy the atmosphere, community and brewery experience as much as they did to risk it all, and follow their dreams!
Episode Timeline00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:27 Meet the Guests: Steve and Oliver
00:52 Steve's Brewing Journey
04:57 Oliver's Brewing Journey
09:31 The Brewing Community and Competition
10:37 Craft Beer Trends and Market
12:15 Brewing Styles and Brand Identity
14:46 The Cast Conditioning Journey
15:29 The Business Side of Beer and Food
16:24 Handling Non-Craft Beer Drinkers Who Ask for Budlight
17:08 Pizza and Beer: A Perfect Match
19:26 On-Premise vs. Off-Premise Sales
22:02 Signature Beers and Brewing Stories
25:24 The Art of Recipe Tinkering
28:35 Happy Accidents in Brewing
29:06 Conclusion and Farewell
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Hosts:
Bobby Fleshman
Allison McCoy-Fleshman
Gary Ardnt
Music by Sarah Lynn Huss
Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow
Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

"If you build it, they will come" is a lie. Gary Arndt, Allison McCoy, and Bobby Fleshman discuss the critical importance of marketing for a new brewery. They share their personal experiences and lessons learned in the marketing journey of McFleshman's Brewing Company, emphasizing the necessity of strategic promotion and the impact of community events like Mile of Music and Lager Fest.
Got a question about beer or just want to get social? Join the RtB Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer
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Hosts:
Bobby Fleshman
Allison McCoy-Fleshman
Gary Ardnt
Music by Sarah Lynn Huss
Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow
Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:14 The Importance of Marketing
00:40 Early Marketing Mistakes
01:30 Hiring Stephanie Harvey
05:06 Community Events and Foot Traffic
08:13 Mile of Music and Lager Fest
14:02 Live Music and Partnerships
17:12 Air Wisconsin Collaboration
21:51 Marketing Lessons Learned
23:38 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

What do you do when the bank needs more collateral? Buy antique stain glass, of course. Gary Arndt, Allison McCoy, and Bobby Fleshman continue brewing business talk. They delve into various facets of their brewery business, including the story behind their iconic stained glass, expansion plans, pumping beer challenges, potentially offering spirits thanks to new WI laws, changing policy from no-tip to tipping, and contract brewing.
Got a question about beer or just want to get social? Join the RtB Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer
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Hosts:
Bobby Fleshman
Allison McCoy-Fleshman
Gary Ardnt
Music by Sarah Lynn Huss
Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow
Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

From securing a loan to procuring secondhand equipment from overseas, starting a brewery is a challenge. Gary Arndt, Bobby Fleshman, and Allison McCoy dive into the business and economics of brewing, showcasing their own road to opening McFleshmans.
Got a question about beer or just want to get social? Join the RtB Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer
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Hosts:
Bobby Fleshman
Allison McCoy-Fleshman
Gary Ardnt
Music by Sarah Lynn Huss
Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow
Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co