The True Craft Podcast

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  • 5.0 (5)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
The True Craft Podcast

The True Craft Podcast facilitates the honest, insightful, behind-closed-doors conversations that craft owners and operators actually want to hear. Join us each week to hear co-hosts Chris Farmand and Katy Noel speak with a guest craft owner as they discuss the challenges, opportunities, and decisions facing craft practitioners every day across the country.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    E98: Building Processes That Work with Adam Draeger of Inventors Brewpub

    Running a brewery is tough—but doing it from 1,000 miles away? That’s next-level. Adam Draeger, owner of Inventors Brewpub in Port Washington, Wisconsin, spills the hops on how he pulled off a massive expansion to a 20,000 sq ft facility while living in Colorado. From humble beginnings in an American Legion hall to managing a brewery remotely, Adam shares the wins, the lessons, and the wild ride of building a business with purpose and process.

    46 min

  2. NOV 1

    E97: Brewery Acquisitions with Glenn Closson of Ivanhoe Park Brewing

    In this episode, we sit down with Glenn Closson, Co-Founder of Ivanhoe Park Brewing in sunny Orlando, FL! Glenn shares the incredible journey of how Ivanhoe Park transformed from a cozy 4,000 sq ft home to a booming 14,000 sq ft powerhouse by acquiring Deadwords Brewing’s facility—all in a lightning-fast 60-day timeframe! (Quick heads up: this kind of rapid M&A is rare, so don’t set your expectations too high!) Glenn details this bold move and shares a behind-the-scenes look of what a brewery acquisition looks like in 2024. Highlights include: * Why thorough valuations matter, no matter your timeline (60 days or otherwise!) * How to approach local breweries about potential deals * Advice on offloading equipment, winding business down, and navigating bankruptcy This M&A chat is perfectly timed, and Glenn’s one-of-a-kind experience is packed with valuable insights you definitely won’t want to miss!

    43 min

  3. OCT 18

    E96: Playing the Long Game with Brad Benson of Stoup Brewing

    In this episode, we chat with Brad Benson, Co-Owner and Head Brewer of Stoup Brewing, about the evolving business model that’s driven their growth and operations over the past decade—plus, how it inspired Stoup Brewing to launch their very own distribution company! Highlights include: * A behind-the-scenes look at their unique distribution company that operates without a sales team or holding inventory * How Stoup Brewing strikes a balance between brewing what they love and responding to market trends * The secrets behind running a taproom, pub concept, beer hall, and distribution company (Hint: it takes a village!) Brad and his team have navigated the craft beer boom of the 2010s and the over-saturation that followed. As Stoup celebrates eleven years this fall, Brad has a ton of insights to share that you won’t want to miss!

    37 min

  4. OCT 4

    E95: The Business of Brewing with Marty Ochs of Resident Brewing

    Get ready for a lively chat with Marty Ochs, President of Resident Brewing in San Diego! Marty’s been around the block in the craft beer world, from on-premise at Miller Brewing to helping Ninkasi explode in size (from 4,000 BBLs to 90,000 BBLs in just four years!), and now he's sharing his behind-the-scenes stories and sharp business insights. What’s on Tap: * The self-distribution hustle—why it’s a smart move for small breweries, but not without its headaches. * Craft beer’s big shift: Can the industry juggle killer beer and smart business, or is the balance tipping too far? * How brewery partnerships are changing the game (and saving some serious cash in overhead efficiencies). With over a decade in the industry, Marty’s wealth of experience offers a unique perspective on navigating today’s tough market. Don’t miss the chance to hear his invaluable insights!

    51 min

  5. SEP 20

    E94: Power of Compassionate Leadership with Melissa Walter of Love City Brewing

    Pull up a chair as we sit down with Melissa Walter, co-founder of Love City Brewing in Philadelphia, PA, to chat about employee wellness, inclusivity, and how to create a culture of care. While employee well-being isn’t always the first priority in running a brewery, Melissa made it the cornerstone of Love City Brewing—and in this episode, we chat about how she’s done it. Highlights include: 1. From non-alcoholic and mocktail comp drink offerings to virtual mental health support, hear Love City's unique take on wellness for their team 2. The secret behind Love City’s low turnover and how leading with empathy—challenges and all—pays off 3. Practical tips for brewery owners to prioritize their own mental health and well-being With her experience as a licensed therapist, Melissa brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to team care that’s truly one-of-a-kind. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

    44 min

  6. SEP 6

    E93: Straight Shooting with Michael Memsic of Sanitas Brewing Company

    On today’s episode of The True Craft Podcast, we’re catching up with Michael Memsic, Co-Founder & CEO of Sanitas Brewing, to give some straight talk about what the heck is happening in craft. We cover a lot of ground from modern expansion strategies, owner and leadership alignment, and the surprising topic of...tapping out of the craft scene? Highlights include: * How breweries are becoming vibrant community hubs with unique food and morning coffee, becoming the ultimate “third place” * The evolving craft beer scene and why the next big wave might not hinge on Gen Z * Unique opportunities popping up as breweries close their doors Michael believes that the craft industry is deeply “lifestyle driven,” which makes it both rewarding and challenging. However, fostering connections and sharing experiences with those in your circle makes all the difference. That’s exactly what we’re all about on The True Craft Podcast. Enjoy this insightful chat!

    36 min

  7. AUG 23

    E92: Brewery Success in the Modern Market with Mike Walters of Cocoon Brewing

    In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we’re hanging out with Mike Walters, Co-Founder of Cocoon Brewing out of De Pere, WI. In 2023, at a time when craft beer was anything but predictable, Cocoon Brewing boldly opened their 7,000 sq ft space—proving that when the going gets tough, the tough get brewing. Highlights include: 1. How to dish out a killer food program from a cozy 400 sq ft kitchen (yes, size matters... but not in the way you think). 2. Juggling the "trifecta" of private events, brewery-hosted bashes, and weekly programming like a pro. 3. How diversifying with draft, to-go beer, and merch sales keeps the cash flowing and customers coming back. Opening a brewery takes a village, but doing it in 2023? That requires a whole city of support. Mike spills all the tea (or beer) on Cocoon Brewing's wild ride, packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

    36 min

  8. AUG 9

    E91: A Mead-y Episode with Austin Corrigan of High Seas Mead

    On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we have a chat with Austin Corrigan, the founder of High Seas Mead and Single Fin Cider out of Santa Barbara, CA. Austin shares his fascinating journey from the culinary world to fermenting meads and ciders as a one-man operation. In this episode, we chat about: * The challenge (and reward!) of being 100% self-distributed within a 100-mile radius, managing over 300 accounts * The unique journey of Austin and his wife, who handle every aspect of production, distribution, and sales, setting their operation apart * The booming growth and modern interpretations of the mead and cider categories, and the opportunities they present for brewers in their taprooms With a dedication to natural production methods and a hands-on approach to every aspect of his business, Austin brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to learn more about mead and cider, as well as a taking a glimpse into its bright future as a craft beverage of choice!

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The True Craft Podcast facilitates the honest, insightful, behind-closed-doors conversations that craft owners and operators actually want to hear. Join us each week to hear co-hosts Chris Farmand and Katy Noel speak with a guest craft owner as they discuss the challenges, opportunities, and decisions facing craft practitioners every day across the country.

Information

  • Creator
    Small Batch Standard
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Small Batch Standard
  • Show Website
    The True Craft Podcast

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