Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast

Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast
  • 4.8 (19)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Financial Intel Brewed Daily

  1. 5D AGO

    7 Financial Red Flags That Predict Brewery Trouble

    In this episode, we dig into how financial trouble usually shows up months before it becomes a crisis, and why so many owners and managers miss the warning signs.  When you’re busy fighting daily fires, reviewing financials weeks after month-end, and unsure which numbers truly matter, problems stay invisible until cash runs tight . We walk through the concept of a financial early-warning system and explain how profitable breweries shift from reactive panic to calm, data-driven decision-making.  Instead of drowning in reports, they focus on a small set of leading indicators that flag issues early — while there’s still time to act. This isn’t about becoming a CPA - it’s about knowing where to look, how often to review, and what actions to take when numbers move out of range. Key Takeaways Most brewery financial problems show up early — but only if you know which signals to watchA focused red-flag dashboard is more powerful than dozens of backward-looking reportsCash flow issues are usually operational problems in disguiseReviewing financial signals weekly creates faster, calmer course correctionStabilizing cash flow and margins must come before growth or optimizationResources Get the Brewery Profit Brief - tips tactics and strategies for a more profitable brewery Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    59 min

  2. FEB 5

    Brewery Budget Basics

    In today's podcast we cover the basics of brewery budgeting, keys to success and 3 simple steps to get started building your plan today. Key Topics Budget questions: Who, what, where, why, when and howCommon obstacles and how to overcome themBudget quick-start guideThe details: How to build the plan, models, tools and templatesFinancial cadence: How to use the plan every dayResources Get the brewery profit brief - tips, tactics, and strategies to build a more profitable beer businessReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    39 min

  3. JAN 9

    How Lawson’s Finest Liquids Scaled With Plans, Numbers, And Purpose

    Today, I sit down with Sean Lawson the founder behind Sip of Sunshine to unpack how careful planning, advisory boards, and a purpose-first mindset can carry a brewery through hypergrowth, supply shocks, and a once-in-a-century pandemic. Sean walks us through the early days of homebrewing, the decision to contract brew at Two Roads to meet demand without giving up ownership, and the leap to a state-of-the-art Vermont facility just 16 months before lockdowns.  We explore how a high share of packaged product, strong retail relationships, and authentic brand loyalty kept the business resilient. As a certified B Corp, Lawson’s and has contributed millions to nonprofits focused on healthy communities—proving that purpose can be a growth engine, not a side note. On the operational side, Sean opens the playbook: annual planning with monthly and quarterly reviews, KPI dashboards that spotlight cash, gross margin, COGS, and velocity, and a quarterly advisory board that challenges assumptions without dictating decisions.  We dig into the hard lessons from overcommitting on hops and preprinted cans, why vendor relationships matter when renegotiating contracts, and how to make tough people decisions while staying transparent and fair.  If you’re scaling a craft brand you’ll leave with practical tactics for forecasting, budgeting, negotiating, and building a cadence that turns numbers into action. Grab the free Brewery Profit Brief - financial tips, tactics and strategies to build a more profitable brewery.  Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    51 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    Inside Athletic Brewing’s Playbook

    What does it take to scale from a bold idea to a beverage category leader?  We sit down with Athletic Brewing’s CFO Evan Zawatsky and communications leader Chris Furnari to dig into the decisions that powered Athletic’s rise: owning production, investing in quality, and building a marketing engine that turns awareness into velocity. Evan opens the playbook on why Athletic poured serious CapEx into state-of-the-art breweries in Connecticut and San Diego.  That move secured quality control, unlocked flavor innovation, improved margins, and gave the team agility to grow without supply constraints.  Chris explains how the brand story evolved from convincing people to try non-alcoholic beer to showing who it’s for: active, balance-minded drinkers who want great beer flavors throughout the week.  Together, they share how “cans in hands” at race finish lines and community events are key to brand building, how partnerships and earned media create the surround sound needed to convert trial into repeat purchase. If you care about brewery finance, brand strategy, or the surge in non-alcoholic beer, this podcast is packed with practical and clear frameworks you can apply at any scale.  Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    51 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    Brewery R&D Tax Credits, Demystified

    In today's podcast we show how breweries can turn recipe development and process innovation into real cash using the federal R&D tax credit, plus a clear path to claim refunds retroactively.  Maggie Crowley and Devin Medrick from Leyton explain the IRS tests, missed opportunities, state add-ons, and energy efficiency deductions. • What the IRS four-part test means for brewing work • Real examples: first-batch runs, recipe changes, process tweaks • Eligible costs: wages at three levels, contractors, supplies • Simple documentation that passes audit standards • Typical credit ranges and three-year lookbacks • State credits that stack with federal benefits • Startup payroll tax offset for young breweries • Recent law changes reversing R&D cost capitalization • 179D and cost segregation for building upgrades • Quick steps: check Form 6765 and ask your head brewer Want to learn how your brewery can unlock R&D tax credits?  Reach out to Maggie Crowley, mcrowley@leyton.com or visit Leyton for more details. Don't forget to sign up for the free brewery financial training newsletter. Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    39 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    How Breweries Can Use Workforce Grants To Boost Profit

    In today's podcast we lay out a simple path for Massachusetts breweries to use the Workforce Training Fund Express program for up to 100% reimbursement on financial training.  From eligibility to application steps, we reveal each step in the process to turn free training dollars into better profits and steadier cash flow. • who qualifies and what reimbursement you can expect • how to find and choose pre-approved courses in the catalog • what documents you need for the application • typical approval timing and how long approvals last • why year end is the best time to apply • next steps to book a call and get guided support For Massachusetts breweries, book a call with me and I’ll walk you through the entire application.  For breweries in other states, email me about grant programs in your area - Kary@BeerBusinessFinance.com - let's work together to get you grant funds to cover the cost of financial training in the new year. Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    14 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    How One Brewery Raised Capital, Opened a Second Location, and Built a KPI Culture

    What does it really take to scale a brewery without losing your soul or your margins?  We sit down with Nicole Smith, co-owner of South Lake Brewing Company, to trace a path from high school sweethearts in Tahoe to a two-location operation balancing community, cash flow, and culture.  Nicole shares the unvarnished story of opening a second taproom and kitchen, why owner presence matters, and how to avoid cannibalizing your original location while still growing revenue. We cover the small set of numbers that matter most—revenue versus forecast by channel, prime cost for food and beer, and labor as a percentage of net revenue—and how those guardrails drive daily scheduling, purchasing, and promotions.  From handling brutal seasonality in the shoulder months to embracing a kitchen to meet guest expectations, Nicole offers a field manual for independent breweries navigating a slower market.  If you want concrete tactics for expansion, community funding, and profitability without compromising what makes your brand special, this conversation delivers.  Connect with Nicole, nicole@southlakebeer.com  Subscribe to the free beer industry financial training newsletter Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    51 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    How to Build a Profitable Brewery Membership Program

    In today's podcast, Ross Stensrud from Tapwyse shares how craft breweries turn memberships, flash rewards, and push messages into recurring revenue and reliable taproom traffic.  Real data from 100+ brewery apps shows why monthly loyalty programs outperform annuals and how simple offers can drive measurable visits. Key Takeaways    • Monthly memberships outperform annuals for recurring revenue  • The $1 weekly beer case study  • How to use flash rewards to move slow inventory fast  • $5 locals program for weekday demand shaping - loyalty programs go beyond beer  • How to leverage push messages: High read and engagement rates Don't forget to sign up for the Craft Brewery Financial Training weekly newsletter. Financial intel delivered straight to your inbox! Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

    1 hr
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4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Financial Intel Brewed Daily

Information

  • Creator
    Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    184
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast
  • Show Website
    Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast

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