The True Craft Podcast Small Batch Standard

On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Wibby, the co-founder and brewmaster of Wibby Brewing in Longmont, CO. Ryan chats the exciting world of lagers, sharing the story behind his brewery’s recent recognition as 2023 GABF Brewery of the Year, and giving us a peek into their distribution expansion plans.

In this episode, we chat about:

* The massive impact that can come with focusing on a single style without ever compromising quality
* How winning the 2023 Great American Beer Festival Brewery of the Year is opening doors and what other brewers can learn from this success
* Wibby Brewing’s unique distribution strategy, expanding into “beer deserts” and potentially exploring untapped Asian markets

With more than a decade of brewing expertise, Ryan brings a treasure trove of knowledge and a fresh outlook. Tune in for a vibrant conversation brimming with lager love, ambitious expansion plans, and the innovative spirit that sets Wibby Brewing apart.

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast we welcome Erik Fowler, Executive Director of the San Diego Brewers Guild. Join us for a jam-packed discussion on the financial landscape of craft breweries in 2024.

Highlights include:

1. Erik shares his philosophy of "Beer is the what, not the why" in today's craft market, emphasizing that while breweries start with a passion for brewing, this can't be their sole driving force anymore
2. Practical insights on managing excess capacity
3. The benefits of focusing your styles in distribution and how this can impact your sales reps, distributor relations, and overall business health

Erik underscores the importance of having a clear intention behind what you sell, why you sell it, and how you sell it. This, combined with the passion that originally inspired brewers to even open their doors, is the key to thriving in the next chapter of the craft beer industry. This episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we chat with Grace Robbings, Co-Founder, and Larry Rock, Sales Representative, of Reuben’s 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 Collective’s educational programming that includes three levels of training opportunities, designed to develop diverse leaders in craft
• Discover the ins-and-outs of the Collective’s first-year "brewing school," where mentees followed a beer's full lifecycle from brewing to marketing.

Grace and Larry’s passion and experience make this an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss!

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:

1. 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.
2. The creation of the National Black Brewers Association and its mission to elevate the Black brewing community.
3. Suggestions on how breweries can genuinely embrace inclusivity without feeling like they are compromising their brewery’s identity.

Teo’s dedication to the craft industry is truly inspiring, and his decades of experience offer valuable insights you won't want to miss!

In this episode, we chat with Chris Cesnek and Brandon Monroe, the creative co-founders of Paperback Brewing Company. Their brewery’s 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:

1. How storytelling shapes a brewery’s brand identity.
2. Strategies to tackle “release fatigue” for a consistent and sustainable marketing plan.
3. 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. Don’t miss it!

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:

1. How to (actually) manage cash flow and why relying solely on gut feeling to make decisions isn’t cutting it
2. When contract brewing makes sense and when it doesn’t
3. Where to invest just 10 minutes of daily learning to make a big difference over time in understanding your brewery’s finances

As 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.