Tom DeMayo is a partner with PKF O'Connor Davies, specializes in cybersecurity, and is a self-described 'ethical hacker'.Cybercrime is a $10 trillion problem globally, and breweries are target.In today's podcast, Tom shares how these crimes occur, how to find out if your brewery is vulnerable, and what steps you can take right now to prevent a ransomware attack. Key PointsTerms defined: Dark web, deep web, surface web, ransomwareHow hackers break in to your systems and what you can do to prevent thisBasics of compliance testing and risk assessmentTips for creating and managing those pesky login credentials The case for a cybersecurity committee ResourcesConnect with Tom and learn how to protect your beer business from cybercrimes, [email protected]

Today we welcome back Tim Near from Agrowgate, a company that works to save you money on cost of goods sold. Think cans, cardboard, malt, freight and so much more. Key PointsState of the industry: Trends in costs and commodity pricingBrewery purchasing 101: Best practices How to properly source key ingredients Keys to benchmark your costs against industry averagesResourcesConnect with Tim Near and learn more about how to save money Listen to the Brewery Supply Chain Management podcastJoin the brewery financial network - connect with other brewery owners to learn best practices to improve profits and cash flow

In today's podcast we hear the audio version of a recent Brewery Financial Round Table meeting where we tackle brewery cost management and expense reduction.Summary of key points:​Use this 1-2-3-4 step process to put a laser focus on cost cutting and reductionShare the Brewery Financial Training Program with your managers and staff – train them in the ways of identifying and reducing (or eliminating) bloated costsKey challenges we discussed: Controlling costs related to production and materials, freight and shipping, finding efficiencies, avoiding cost surprises, improving culture and communication78 Ideas to cut costs and improve financial results – Double Your Profits in 6 Months, by Bob FiferDan Klasen from the Beverage Federation shared details on the group purchasing organization (GPO) to help you save a ‘craft load’ of money​Join the membership today and get instant access to the brewery financial round table replay, presentation deck, and brewery cost cutting resources.

Today on the podcast we hear from Scott Birkner, VP and Business Lending Specialist at Dogwood State Bank. Scott shares insights on how to use SBA loans to purchase an existing brewery or make a partial acquisition of a brewery. Key TopicsHow to finance a start-up brewery, buy an existing brewery, or make a partial acquisition using SBA loansState of the lending industry: Credit availability, interest rates, trendsWhat does the future of lending look like? Scott looks into his crystal ball and shares his observationsResourcesConnect with Scott and learn more about brewery acquisition financing, [email protected] the Beer Business Finance Association - we talk brewery finances all the time! 

Today on the podcast we talk non-alcohol beer with Dave Williams from Bump Williams Consulting.Dave shares data, insights, and analysis on the non-alcohol beer category.   Key TopicsMajor players in non-alcohol beer, sales volume, and growth trends NA beer sales by market channel: Chain and grocery, liquor, convenience, and on-premise accounts  Retailer response to NA beer: More shelf space, more willingness to take on these brandsCrystal ball time. What does the future hold for NA beer?  Listen in for Dave's full analysis ResourcesConnect with Dave Williams, [email protected] our financial network of brewery owners and managers 

Today on the podcast we hear from marketing guru Julie Rhodes from Not Your Hobby Marketing. Julie and I talk about The Power of Marketing + Finance. And dig in on why NOW is the time to invest in your marketing and sales strategy. Key Topics:Brewery marketing trends, new ideas to try, fundamental marketing tactics to revisitWhy NOW is the time to double down on your investment in sales and marketing (and where to find the cost savings to pay for this)When to add a sales rep (and how to pay them)Resources:Connect with Julie Rhodes at Not Your Hobby MarketingLearn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of brewery owners and managers focused on driving profits and cash flows

Today on the podcast we hear from Ross Stensrud, co-founder of Tapwyse, a developer of custom branded apps for taproom breweries.Ross shares his experience working in commercial fitness - where the business model is all about memberships and recurring revenue - and how this idea can be applied to your taproom to grow sales.Key PointsHow to develop an app for your brewery to grow sales and create predictable recurring revenueBest practices to re-imagine the 'mug club' so you can add unlimited members The best incentives to get customers to download your app, use it to buy your offerings, and receive push messages to come back to your taproom more oftenResourcesGet in touch with Ross and learn how to grow taproom sales with recurring revenue, [email protected] the Beer Business Finance Association, we are a group of brewery owners and managers, working together to grow sales and improve profitability

Webinar Replay: How to Build Your Brewery Key Metrics DashboardIn today's webinar I am joined by Alec Johnson from Ekos who shares his favorite KPIs and shows you how to build beautiful (and profitable) dashboards.Here's what you'll get:50+ key metrics used by other breweriesKPI best practices: How to pick the right numbers for your businessSample brewery KPI Scorecards and templates to downloadTips to build dashboards and KPIs in your brewery management softwareDo this next:Watch the webinar replay: How to Build Your Brewery Key Metrics Dashboard and download the Presentation DeckJoin the Beer Business Finance membership. We are a network of brewery operators focused on driving profits and cash flows (and Key Metrics help us do that!)

Today on the podcast we hear from Brian Deignan, founder of Validation Ale in Santa Barbara, California.Validation ale's tagline is: "Allowing great beer to rise to the top. Your order is a vote toward Validation."  The concept is to curate an evolving tap list based on customer orders and taste.Validation uses data to drive decisions on what beers belong on tap. This approach gives customers what they want while maximizing beer sales on draft. A lovely combination.Key TopicsLessons Brian learned starting his brewery and what he would do differently (how to use calendars and deadlines to keep the project on schedule)3 Big Ideas to grow sales and profits ("Steal the glass", "line price your beer", and "split test your draft lineup")Success secrets from the tech industry and how to successfully apply them to your brewery businessResourcesConnect with Brian at Validation AleLearn more about the brewery financial round table

In today's podcast we'll cover the key drivers of brewery profitability, and give you specific action steps to follow to improve the bottom line in your business. Key TopicsKey drivers of brewery profitsScorecards to measure and improve the bottom lineMost effective ways to cut costs, increase margins and grow salesHow to create a profit plan and profit routineResourcesLearn more about the brewery financial round tableWatch the video and get the financial templates: How to Drive Brewery Profitability

On today's podcast you'll hear about a new project from A-Bay Engineers called the Craft Brewing Community Dashboard.Many brewery owners and managers are looking for financial and operational benchmarking data, and this new dashboard could be just the thing.Jamie Schild, CEO and Jim Oilschlager, COO share details on the community dashboard, what it is, how it works, and how breweries can use this information to make data-driven decisions. Key TopicsHow to join the brewery community dashboardFavorite KPIs from Jamie and JimBenchmarking against your peers vs. brewery historical performanceResourcesSign up for the brewery community financial dashboardLearn more about the brewery financial round table

Larry Chase is a certified Open Book Management Coach and teaches companies how to be financially transparent with all of their employees. In this podcast, Larry and I talk about brewery compensation and bonus plans. Larry shares what NOT to do, and best practices to follow if you are thinking about putting a bonus plan in place for managers or staff. Key TopicsTop reasons why bonus plans fail...and how to avoid themBonus plan best practicesHow to use mini-games to create 'early wins'ResourcesConnect with Larry ChaseLearn more about the brewery financial round table

Today on the podcast we hear from Chris Overlay, CEO of Get Hoptimized, a craft beer marketing and advertising agency. Chris' company helps breweries and craft beer businesses grow with effective and affordable marketing services, from label designs, to social media ads, to strategizing world domination. Key TopicsHow much to spend on brewery marketingThe marketing metrics that matter for craft breweriesHow to use 'funnels' to bring more customers into your taproomResourcesConnect with Chris OverlayLearn more about the brewery finance network

Today on the podcast I'm joined by Jack Kessler and Steven Welborn from Ohanafy - the only brewery and wholesaler software platform built on SalesForce. If you're interested in growing beer sales (and learning about the financial aspects of the beer business) this podcast is for you.Key TopicsWhy it's crucial for beer producers to understand the financial intricacies of their business in today’s competitive marketInsights on how understanding financial metrics can directly impact the cash flow and profitability of a beer businesses The role of technology in optimizing revenue and finances within the beer industry Common financial challenges that beer distributors face, and how can they navigate through them effectivelyHow technology influences the operational efficiency and financial performance of breweries and distributors Advice to aspiring breweries and beer distributors who aim to enhance their understanding of the financial aspects of running a successful business ResourcesLearn more about Ohanafy, or schedule a DemoJoin the network of brewery financial professionals - the Beer Business Finance Association

If you're ready to get serious about improving brewery profits and cash flow, the Beer Business Finance Association is here for you.The association is a network of brewery owners and managers who come together to share ideas and best practices to help run a financially successful beer business.In today's podcast, I'll share why the network came to be, and how you can join and transform your brewery financial results.  Key PointsQuarterly financial round-table meetings with beer industry peers24/7 online access to a library of brewery financial training coursesAccess to brewery workshops and webinarsBrewery planning templates, models and spreadsheetsResourcesBook a 15-minute discovery call Learn more about the benefits of the Beer Business Finance Association

Today we talk variable compensation and incentives with Aaron Gore, Director of Partnerships and Community at Arryved. Key Points99% of breweries in the U.S. see taproom operations as the biggest profit driverHow to align employee compensation and incentives with top brewery objectivesExamples and benchmarks to follow when setting up incentivesFirst steps to implement a variable comp plan in your breweryResourcesConnect with Aaron Gore, [email protected] more about Arryved POS

Michael Varda from Craft Beer Advisory Services joins the podcast and shares early insights on 2023 taproom data trends.  The goal of Michaels data is to show you why customers come to your taproom and what you can do to keep them coming back.  Key PointsThe #1 factor in negative experiences: It's food. What the "Food Ladder" can teach you about a customer's likelihood to come back to your taproom.Michael's mind blowing data point: 1 in 3 negative experiences are related to first impressions.Two years ago, 1 in 10 negative experiences mentioned price. Now it's 1 in 4. Pricing matters. Michael shares tips on how to be strategic when pricing food and beverages.ResourcesLearn more about Craft Beer Advisory ServicesJoin the Network of beer industry professionals

Today on the podcast we hear from Brynn Keenan from Grist Analytics.  Brynn and I talk all about brewery data and key metrics to track to ensure cost effectiveness in production. Key TopicsCase studies of how Ninkasi and New Belgium cut production costs and increased tank capacityKPI's used to track efficiency, throughput, resource utilization and equipment performanceResourcesConnect with Brynn, [email protected] Connect with other brewery owners and operators 

Today on the podcast we hear from Justina Marcial, Director of Operations at Cape May Brewery. Justina shares Cape May's story of selling their distribution rights, how they build a strong culture with their 7 core values, and how they take company communication to a new level with a structured process. Key TopicsCape May's financial and business planning process, software stack and 2024 goalsSWOT planning, Swim Lanes, and Resolutions - Cape May's keys to successHow to use a business coach in business planningResourcesConnect with Justina Marcial at Cape May BreweryLearn more about the financial network for brewery owners and operators

Today on the podcast we hear from Dave Williams, VP of Analytics & Insights at Bump Williams Consulting.Dave shares tips on how to create a portfolio strategy for the new year. He highlights several areas where beer is "winning" and how breweries can take advantage. And we dig into pricing and price sensitivity at retail. Pricing is a big deal. Dave shares what you need to know about pricing trends and consumer behavior, so that you can position your products for success. Key TopicsTrends in ABV, beer styles, pack sizes - what's working, what's notWhat you need to know about pricing and price elasticityResourcesLearn more about BWC and connect with Dave on LinkedInLearn more about the network of beer industry professionals

In today's podcast we share tips and tactics to build your taproom financial plan.The process of financial planning (budgeting) can be long and arduous. Today, we talk about how to make it easier and maybe even enjoyable!Key PointsHow to motivate your taproom manager to tackle the budgetThe first steps you should take when starting your planModels and explainer videos to guide you through creating your taproom financial planResourcesLearn about Taproom Success and claim your FREE MONTHTaproom financial planning...where to begin

Today on the podcast we hear from Scott Birkner from Dogwood State Bank. If you're looking to fund a startup brewery or expand existing operations, you'll want to listen to this podcast. Scott shares all the details you need to know about SBA lending and how to position yourself to get the best loan possible.  Key PointsTypes of SBA loans available to breweries Eligibility requirements, interest rates and termsThe most common errors breweries make in their financial projectionsSpecific requirements for start-up brewery loansResourcesConnect with Scott Birkner - [email protected] or cell: 704.564.5940 Check out the financial network for breweries

In today's podcast Bump Williams shares an early read on the BWC growth strategy survey.  The results are...surprising. The survey is sent to hundreds of retailers, wholesalers and breweries, and asks one simple question:  What are your strategies for growth in the upcoming year?The results are tallied, sorted by the most common answers, and analyzed to determine overlap amongst the companies in the 3-tier system.  One of the goals of the survey is to identify where there is alignment or common growth approaches in the 3-tier system. One big takeaway: The results show a lot of misalignment. What does misalignment look like? Past surveys have shown breweries focused on innovation, while distributors focus on core brands, and retailers emphasize high-end products.  Hard to grow when everyone is rowing in a different direction.Key PointsTop 3 growth strategies for retailers, wholesalers, and breweriesThe divergence of growth strategies keeps getting widerHow beer industry companies can use this information to align their own growth plansResourcesLearn more about how Bump Williams Consulting can help with your growth strategyJoin the network of beer industry pro's

Today we hear from Andrew Coplon, founder of Secret Hopper, a mystery shopping service for taprooms and brewpubs.Andrew has tons of data to share from over 6,000 unique taproom visits. Examples include adding paper menus to increase guest spending by 25% and increasing to-go beer sales by 5x with one simple question.  Key TakeawaysThe most important taproom data points to measure and manage  Tactics to train and motivate your staff How Secret Hopper provides feedback and data on the customer experience ResourcesLearn how Secret Hopper can transform your taproom businessData points: The impact of menu types on taproom spending

Today on the podcast we hear from Metazoa Brewing Vice President Lauren Frederick. Lauren's background is in sales and marketing, but she shares her tips and tactics to learn the financial aspects of running a brewery. Many brewery operators are non-financial managers. In today's episode you'll hear Lauren's journey from sales rep to vice president and the financial knowledge she learned along the way. Key TopicsMetazoa's brewery financial planning processSoftware stack, key metrics, and compensation structures Favorite industry publications, resources, and podcasts ResourcesConnect with Lauren Frederick - [email protected] the beer industry finance group

Today on the podcast we review a tool you can use to amplify cash flow in your brewery, it's called Melio. Melio is one of the fastest-growing B2B payments companies in the U.S. and is reinventing the way customers and suppliers pay each other. You'll hear from Aaron Gervais, CEO and co-founder of Otherwise Brewing, a gluten-free brewery based in San Francisco. Aaron uses Melio to streamline customer receipts and supplier payments.Key TopicsHow to use a payment platform to speed up collections from retailersOptions to pay suppliers and vendors using MelioOtherwise Brewing's journey to create a gluten-free breweryResourcesConnect with Kate at Melio Payments: [email protected] more about Melio 

In today's podcast we talk brewery insurance with John Round and Shannon Prescott from the Richards Group. John and Shannon share their insights on loss prevention, creative benefits, industry specific coverages to be aware of, and trends in the industry. Key TopicsHow breweries can use creative benefits as a recruitment toolInsurance cost reduction tactics for breweriesAreas where a broker can/should add valueTrends in the industryResourcesLearn more about the Join the network for beer industry professionals

Today on the podcast we talk about grant seeking and grant writing with Tranice Watts If you are a brewery owner or operator and you're interested in finding grant money you'll want to listen to this podcastTranice takes us through the state certification process, how to search for grants, and how the application process works. Key PointsHow to search for grants (state and local)Types of grants (50/50 cost share or 100% funded)Keys to writing successful grant applicationsResourcesConnect with Tranice Watts and learn more about brewery grants, at Absurd Institute.org, or email  [email protected] Join the network of beer industry professionals

Beer businesses are always on the lookout for ways to reduce costs and increase sales.In today’s podcast we talk with Bud Dunn from VxP, who shares a tool that you can use to reduce finished product loss by 50% or more, and increase gross profit per CE by 20 cents or more.Key TopicsVolume is good, profits are better, how to use VxP to increase bothHow to align sales rep incentives with overall growth of the businessHow to get suppliers involved with incentives and co-op dollarsResourcesLearn how to increase gross profit by 20 cents per CE in your businessCheck out the new network for beer wholesaler financial professionals

In today’s podcast we dive into the magical world of distributor contracts, and provide Five Steps you can follow to a better contract for your brewery.The distributor contract is a big point of contention between craft breweries and distributors. Before any beer is delivered, the contract has to be reviewed, debated, negotiated, and eventually signed.The challenge with most contracts is that both parties want the terms to be in their favor. Breweries want options to get out of the contract, and freedom to move their brand if the business relationship isn’t working.Distributors want the brewery to be committed to them indefinitely. From the distributor perspective, they invest millions or tens of millions, in infrastructure and want to be sure that brands stay on the trucks to pay for all the investment.Both parties want the advantage, but at a minimum, neither party wants to get stuck with a bad contract.With so much emphasis on the distributor contract, what steps are you taking to ensure you get the best arrangement possible?In this podcast I will outline five steps you can take to improve your contracts, and contractual relationships.Five Steps to a Better ContractSeek first to understand: Basic contract structure and termsKnow your state lawsDo your research, ask questions, determine the distributor optionsPlay a game you can win – Develop your own standard contract.Self-distribute – Enter into a contract with yourselfResourcesGet the free finance newsletter for breweriesLearn more about the Beer Business Finance Association - a network of beer industry professionals focused on improving financial results

Today we learn all about SBA loans with Scott Birkner from Dogwood State Bank. If you need to borrow money to start or grow your brewery, then you need to listen to this podcast.Scott breaks down all the details of SBA 7A and 504 loans and shares his advice on how to best prepare for the loan process. Key TopicsFinancing trends in the brewing industryHow to prepare for an SBA loan: When to start and what information you'll need to finishLoan requirements for start-up breweriesResourcesLearn more about SBA lending with Dogwood State Bank, or email Scott at [email protected] the finance network for brewery owners and operators

Today we talk with Roger Kissling, VP of Sales for Iron Heart Canning. Roger shares all the details you need to know about mobile canning services. Iron Heart has 28 warehouses in 27 stats, and packaged approximately 100 million cans last year.  If your brewery is thinking about canning solutions, Iron Heart may be the answer.  Key TopicsLogistics of mobile canningPricing, contracts, expectations, roles and responsibilities of mobile canningTrends in package sizes and configurationsResourcesLearn more about Iron Heart Canning and mobile canning servicesGet the free brewery finance newsletter

Chris Holden is Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hop Guild and a grower in New York state.  In today's podcast, Chris shares his insights on the state of the hop industry, recent trends, and talks about a new product called HOPSAUCE."HOPSAUCE® is The Hop Guild‘s proprietary hop oil developed to replace traditional hop products on the hot side and in the whirlpool. HOPSAUCE® will enhance flavor and aroma as well as reduce wort loss. HOPSAUCE® is flowable at room temps and makes for a perfect whirlpool product!"Key TopicsState of the hop industry and recent trendsHop contracts 101Production forecasting tipsHOPSAUCE®, a new product that improves yield and saves money on shipping and storageResourcesLearn more about HopsauceSign up for the free brewery financial newsletter

In today's podcast we talk lessons learned starting, running and selling a brewery with Jeremy Cowan, founder of Shmaltz Brewing. Jeremy's advice to those who want to start a brewery?  "Don't."  "100% do not start a brewery. Go find a really cool brewery where the owners are spread a little thin, and go buy one, or become a partner...before you ever start your own brewery."Key TopicsOptions to invest in a brewery, without actually starting one How to raise pricing and margins with sustainability initiativesJeremy's advice for brewery owners looking to sellResourcesConnect with Jeremy on LinkedInLearn about a new network of brewery owners and operators: Beer Business Finance Association

Today we talk cash flow with ResolvePay co-founder and CEO Chris Tsai.  ResolvePay is a tool that takes the guesswork out of credit checks, and helps you manage and improve cash flow.Whether you are a brewery in self-distribution or a supplier servicing the beer industry, ResolvePay can help your business improve cash flow. Key TopicsHow to use "buy now, pay later" to increase sales and boost cash flowTools to automate credit checks and assessmentsA complete solution for accounts receivable and payment processing ResourcesLearn more about how ResolvePay can improve your cash flowGet the free brewery finance newsletter

Today on the podcast we hear from Jeremy Cowan, founder of Shmaltz Brewing and Coney Island Brewing.  Jeremy shares his journey from starting to selling his breweries and lessons learned along the way. Jeremy talks about one of his passions: Helping breweries to lose less money.This may not be the most optimistic way to frame the problem (losing money) but it can be a very practical first step for breweries working towards profitability. Key TopicsLessons learned in starting, running and selling a breweryHow to "lose less money in your brewery"Contract brewing: Is it still relevant?ResourcesLearn more about Arryved POSGet the free brewery finance newsletter

In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of our webinar with Kegshoe on Managing Your Keg Fleet: The Hidden Costs and Opportunities.The old saying goes that "kegs have legs", and they tend to go missing. On average breweries lose 5-10% of their kegs each year, which can add up to a lot of dollars. However, breweries using Kegshoe lose only 1% of their kegs each year - a substantial improvement, and substantial savings for your bottom line.   It is super important to have a good system to track and manage your keg fleet to safeguard this important asset and avoid expensive keg losses, and Kegshoe might just be your solution. Key TopicsKeg lease vs buy basicsWhy brewery owners care about tracking kegsTactics and tools to forecast keg needsTools to track, monitor and mange your keg fleetResourcesLearn more about KegshoeGet the free brewery financial training mini-course

On today's podcast we hear from Tess Gorman from Attensi, the global leader in gamified training simulation.Brewery owners are always on the lookout for ways to improve employee training, and Attensi just might be the solution. Key TopicsHow to connect brewery KPIs to training so that you can see measurable improvementTrain staff to increase sales using the upsellTraining programs to reduce employee turnoverHow to use training for career developmentResourcesLearn more about AttensiGet the Free brewery financial newsletter

Michael Varda, founder of Craft Beer Advisory Services, shares his insights on how to use data to drive more customers to your taproom.  Michael's firm is the first and only full service market research firm exclusively dedicated to the craft beer industry.  And he has a lot of profitable information to share. Key TakeawaysUsing data to create a dynamic marketing planBeer industry trends, and keys to success in 2023A sneak peak at the Top Taprooms of 2022ResourcesGet the free brewery financial newsletterLearn more about Craft Beer Advisory Services

Today we hear from Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewer's Association. Bart breaks down 2022 beer data, shares trends, volume and market share on the beer industry. Key TopicsBeer data and trends to watchOn premise vs. off premise volume and growth Trends in pack counts, sizes, formatsBrewery openings and closingsBart's forecast for 2023ResourcesLearn more about Bart's work with the Brewer's AssociationGet the free brewery financial training newsletter

Today we hear from Candace Moon the Craft Beer Attorney.  Candace shares her knowledge and experience around the laws and considerations when opening and running your brewery.Key TopicsImportant legal documents for your beer businessWhat you need to know about securities laws when raising investor moneyBrewery contract basics Best practices for compliance with state and federal rulesHow to build your team so that you don't have to do all this yourselfResources Learn more about the Craft Beer AttorneyCheck out a new resource - Start a Brewery.comSign up for the free brewery financial training newsletter

Today we hear from Michael Varda from Craft Beer Advisory Services. Michael's company helps craft breweries increase sales and sharpen marketing with consumer intelligence research. Michael shares tips and tactics from his consumer intelligence research: What makes customers drink what they drink?  What decisions drive where they go? And how can you can use this data to make intelligent business decisions for your brewery? Key TopicsTop reasons why customers will come back to your taproomThe 6 types of customers and how to use this information to drive more taproom trafficResearch Reports: Brand Analysis, Custom Benchmarks, Go-To Market Strategy, and Consumer MotivationResourcesLearn more about Craft Beer Advisory ServicesGet the financial training newsletter for breweries

Today we hear from Chris Overlay from Get Hoptimized.com, a digital marketing agency that is laser focused on craft beverage. Chris shares the details on the wifi-gateway. What is the wifi-gateway?  Possibly, the best marketing tool you've never heard of. Key TopicsRecent trends in brewery marketingChris' Hot Takes: Google Display, Loyalty Programs, and the wifi-gateway Top SEO metrics to track: bounce rate, pages/session, time on siteHow to win more customers by understanding the customer journeyResourcesLearn more about Get HoptimizedGet the financial newsletter for breweries

Interest rates are rising and the cost to borrow money is getting more expensive. In today's podcast, Jason Sleeman from UCBI shares his insights on how to deal with the effects of inflation and rising interest rates. Key TopicsTop banking and financing trends facing the beer industryThe nuts and bolts of re-structuring your loansTips to find grants and outside equityResourcesPodcast: Brewery Financing Tips for 2022Get in touch with Jason Sleeman: [email protected] the free for the brewery financial newsletter

In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of our recent webinar on How to Build Your Brewery Financial Plan.  We'll review how to put together your sales plan, margins, operating expenses and bottom line. Key TopicsFinancial planning best practicesBudget pitfalls to avoid6 Steps to build your financial planTips to overcome the 'overwhelm' when preparing a budgetSpreadsheet models and tools to get you startedResourcesRegister to watch the brewery financial planning webinarGet access to the brewery financial newsletter

The craft beer industry is filled with great people, but none better than today's guest, Andrew Coplon from Secret Hopper.  Secret Hopper is a mystery shopping company for taprooms.  In today's podcast, Andrew explains how it works and why it's valuable for taproom managers and brewery owners.Key Points4 data points you need to know to grow taproom salesTips to grow taproom sales as we head into Fall and Winter  How to create more memorable (and profitable) experiences in your taproomTop takeaways from the Craft Beer Professionals Connects live event ResourcesLearn more about Secret HopperLearn more about the Taproom Success Membership, a training resource for taproom managers and staffSign up for the brewery financial newsletter

Today on the podcast we talk with 5th Ingredient Founder and CEO Pulkit Agrawal. Pulkit shares how brewery management software Beer30 uses data to help you produce better beer and better business results. Key TopicsWhen do you need a brewery software system?10 steps to implementing brewery management software (watch the video)The questions to ask when researching brewery softwareTop brewery KPI's and key metrics to trackResourcesLearn more about Beer30Sign up for the brewery finance newsletter

Today we hear from Kyle Rheiner from Arthur Hall insurance. We talk about year end planning tips for breweries, the impact of inflation on insurance costs, and the main drivers of insurance expense (and what you can do to reduce them). Kyle C. Rheiner is a Certified Insurance Counselor and is the Food & Beverage Practice Leader at Arthur Hall Insurance in West Chester, PA.  Kyle has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry along with actually brewing and distilling craft beverages.  He and his team handle the insurance for over 150 restaurants & craft beverage makers in the USA. Kyle is also the Host of The Beer Mighty Things Podcast.ResourcesContact Kyle Rheiner: [email protected] to the first podcast with Kyle: Use this simple tip to save thousands on your brewery insuranceSign up for the brewery financial training newsletter

In this podcast you will learn about a new 1-on-1 financial service just for craft breweries: The Brewery CFO in a Box.What is it?Customized in-depth financial analysisOne on one consultingFull financial training program for you and your staffDeveloped based on my 25 years of experience as a CFO in the beer industryWhy do I need it?Get 1-on-1 help to set up your financial budget, analyze your financial statements, and benchmark financial resultsGet monthly support from a brewery CFO to help you stay on track with your financial goalsTo learn more, listen to the podcast!ResourcesBook a time to talk with me one-on-one about the Brewery CFO in a Box package

We are excited to welcome Chema Mora, Business Development Manager of the Cicerone® Certification Program. We talk regularly of the importance of professional development, and programs like Cicerone are a valuable opportunity for you and your brewery taproom team to further your education. The Cicerone Certification Program offers a path to advance your career and the knowledge of your team. Join Advanced Cicerone Chema Mora, Business Development Manager for the Cicerone Program, as he shares an inside look at the program and shares tips and strategies to meet your goal. Whether you are studying for the next exam or just hearing about the program for the first time, there is something for you. ResourcesContact Chema at [email protected] more about the Taproom Success Manager CertificationSign up for the brewery financial newsletter

Today we hear from Tim Irvin and Chris Murphy from Clifton, Larson, Allen, LLP, a CPA firm that specializes in craft beverage businesses.  Tim and Chris share their insights and best practices on brewery financial planning, cash flow planning, debt structures, and wealth management. Key TopicsBrewery financial planning best practicesTactics to get a good understanding of your brewery cost structure How to develop your capital planWealth management considerations and resourcesResourcesLearn more about CLAConnect with Tim Irvin and Chris Murphy Sign up for the brewery financial training newsletter

Today we talk about open book management with Larry Chase.  Larry served for eight years on the brewer's association board of directors on the finance committee and as treasurer. Larry's passion is to show brewery managers and employees how their role impacts the financial success of the business.  Key TopicsHow to build a culture of ownershipKeys to high involvement planningTactics to create consistent financial results in your businessLarry's favorite industry publicationsResourcesConnect with Larry ChaseLearn more about the Brewery Open Book Management CourseSign up for the brewery financial training newsletter

Today we hear from Nancy Trigg, Chief People Officer at Arryved.  Arryved is the point of service system built specifically for the craft beer industry.Nancy shares her perspective on the most important features of a POS system, key questions to ask when selecting a system, and her favorite taproom key metrics. Key TopicsCritical measurements for your taproom businessEssential reports to run from your POS systemTactics to improve customer loyaltyFuture innovation for taproom point of sale systemsResourcesRead the blog - 6 Essential Reports From Your POS SystemSign up for the brewery financial training newsletter

In today's podcast we hear from Lift Bridge Brewing CEO Dan Schwartz.  We talk about all aspects of financial planning, business planning, compensation structure and much more. We'll dig into the nitty gritty of the brewery financial planning process. Who should be involved, how long it should take, and exactly what you should be doing to build your plan. Key TopicsBest practices to improve financial results in your breweryBrewery software stack used by Lift Bridge BreweryTips to build a detailed sales forecastSoftware stack used by Lift Bridge BreweryResourcesLearn more about Lift Bridge BrewerySign up for the brewery financial training newsletter

In today's podcast we talk strategies for marketing beer to women with Kristen Bernier.  Kristen is a brand and communication strategist, and shares her insights on how breweries can grow sales in a challenging market.  Key TopicsHow do identify what your brand is, what you stand for, and how to stand out from the crowdHow to be intentional and build your brand 'on purpose' Data points: 75% of buying decisions are made by womenTips and strategies: What breweries can do to appeal to women beer drinkersHow to benchmark your marketing campaigns, and track a return on investmentResourcesLearn more about Kristen and connect with herSign up for the financial newsletter for craft breweries

Beer industry expert Bump Williams joins today with an update on retail beer sales. Bump shares trends in packaging, pricing, brands, styles and market channels.As a special bonus, Bump gives his Top 3 Brewery Sales Growth Tactics that every brewery owner should consider to achieve sales success in 2022.  Key TopicsTrends in pricing and promotionsNew product innovationMarket share tracking tactics2022 Summer selling season outlookResourcesLearn more about Bump Williams ConsultingSign up to receive The Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Financial literacy is a super power. It means learning to understand the numbers of your business so that you know how your business is doing financially.  Marketing literacy is a super power. It means learning how to identify your customer and communicate the value your brewery has to offer.  When you combine marketing and finance together...well, you have something special on your hands.  In today's podcast, I talk with Chris Overlay from Hoptimized Digital, a marketing firm for craft breweries. Chris and I talk numbers, finance, marketing, and how to combine these ingredients to help you supercharge your brewery results. Key TopicsBeer Pricing (related to margins, market positioning, and ultimately business success) Sales forecasting / budgeting / projects (as it relates to the marketing budget) Sales Growth KPIs (related to measuring ROI with marketing)ResourcesLearn more about Hoptimized DigitalGet the financial training newsletter for the beer industry

How much should you spend on brewery marketing?  What is the right amount, and how do you figure this out?  Julie Rhodes from Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions joins the podcast with answers.  Julie specializes in helping breweries optimize retail sales plans, execute digital marketing plans and improve distribution management. And she has lots of great information to share about proven and profitable brewery marketing strategies.  Key TopicsHow to budget your marketing dollars (benchmarks and rules of thumb)Profitable brewery marketing tactics The brewery marketing plan (starting points to build a good one)ResourcesLearn more about Julie and Not Your Hobby Marketing SolutionsGet the Case Equivalent Conversion CalculatorCheck out the brewery financial training newsletter

Today we talk about the research and development tax credit with Brent Williams from Small Batch Standard.Brent breaks down what the R&D tax credit is, how the calculation works, and how to determine if your brewery business will qualify.Many breweries don't realize they qualify for this tax credit, and could be leaving money on the table. Listen to the podcast to learn whether your business qualifies. Key TopicsHow the R&D tax credit worksHow to know if your brewery qualifiesWhat types of costs are included to calculate the R&D credit How much of a credit may be available for your breweryWhere to get help to claim your R&D tax creditResourcesLearn more about R&D Tax Credits and Small Batch StandardGet the financial newsletter for craft breweries

Today we dig into the legal side of contract brewing with attorney Derek Allen from Allen Stahl + Kilbourne. Derek shares best practices on how to create the brewery service agreement (the document that will govern your contract brewing arrangement) and where to turn for help on navigating the state regulations around contract brewing. Key TopicsContract brewing vs alternating proprietorshipsReasons to contract brew (that you might not have thought about)What you need to get right in your brewing contractPitfalls to avoid in brewery service agreementsResourcesLearn more about Derek Allen and contract brewing services his firm provides  Watch Derek's presentation on contract brewing Get the financial training newsletter for the craft beer industry

Brewers Association supply chain subcommittee chair Mitch Steele joins us to share tips and best practices on how brewers can navigate today's challenges. In the podcast Mitch shares his outlook for the next 6-12 months, and strategies to navigate ongoing supply chain issues.Key TopicsMitigation strategies for supply chain challengesBest practices for purchase contracts: cans, malt, COs, etc.How to build relationships with your key suppliersResourcesLearn more about Mitch Steele and New Realm Brewing CompanyBrewers Association supply chain resourcesGet the craft brewery financial training newsletter

In today's podcast we'll review best practices to improve cash flow in your brewery.  You'll learn the cash flow reports to run, metrics to track, and how to focus your time and energy to create a solid cash management plan for your brewery business. Key TopicsThe main drivers of brewery cash flow (and how to manage them)How to build cash flow metrics for each manager in your breweryBest practices for your brewery financing planResourcesGet the financial training newsletter for craft breweriesLearn more about the craft brewery financial training membership

Today we talk with Tim Near from Agrowgate, a group procurement organization, that helps breweries manage their supply chain and buy better.Pound for pound, supply chain purchases represent the largest outlay of cash for a brewery.  In today's podcast, you'll learn tips and tactics from a supply chain expert to improve purchasing in your beer business. Key Topics The 5 Rights of Purchasing...and why they are important to your breweryHow to implement a 9 Step Sourcing ModelSourcing strategy example using Porters' Five ForcesCommon purchasing pitfalls...and how to avoid themResourcesLearn more about AgrowgateGet the finance newsletter for brewery professionals

In this podcast we'll talk about best practices for recruiting and hiring for your brewery. Finding the right employees is harder than ever these days, but a few simple tips can make the task easier. Key TopicsUse a template for your job descriptions and job postings - get it in writing, and get it in the hands of the job candidateBe crystal clear about the priority or goal for the position - how do you define success?Set proper expectations for the position People exist to make a difference: Use the job description, tell the job candidate how they will make a difference in the breweryResourcesSubscribe to the free finance newsletter for craft  breweriesCheck out the Brewery Job Descriptions Guide, it's included with your Craft Brewery Financial Training Subscription

If you sell beer through a wholesaler, you have inventory management challenges. In today's podcast we talk with Bud Dunn from GP Analytics and hear about a solution to these challenges called the Craft Portal.The Craft Portal is a tool that allows you to easily track inventory and orders without losing time, money or your mind. Wholesalers and breweries can quickly track what was sent, what is inbound and what is needed in the future.The rapid expansion of brands and SKUs in the beer wholesaler's portfolio has made inventory forecasting very complex. The Craft Portal helps simplify the forecasting process so that you can reduce out of stocks, over stocks, and increase sales of your beer brands. Key TopicsInventory forecasting best practicesHow to identify (and quantify) lost sales due to out of stocksThe high cost of over stock inventory Understanding wholesaler incentives related to inventory levelsResourcesGet the Craft Portal One PagerSubscribe to the Finance Newsletter for Craft Breweries

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 TopicsBenefits of working with a wholesalerPitfalls to avoid in the brewery-wholesaler relationshipDistribution contracts: What you need to knowKey elements to a good brewery-wholesaler partnershipResourcesLaura's book: Distribution Insight for the Craft BrewerListen to our first podcast: StartABrewery.com with Laura LodgeThe Finance Newsletter for Craft Breweries

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 share. Key Topics 2021 beer trends and outlook for 2022Bart's key takeaways from the 2021 dataThe state of big seltzer (and craft seltzer)On-premise outlook ResourcesBart's articles on benchmarking data, survey results, and packaging trendsThe Finance Newsletter for Craft Breweries

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 TopicsContract brewing tracking data How to structure contract brewing pricing The key steps in the contract brewing process Lessons learned, mistakes to avoid, in contract brewingResourcesLearn more about New Realm Brewing CompanyContact Mitch for info on their contract brewing services: [email protected] to the Finance Newsletters for Craft Breweries

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 Covered2022 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 owners looking to expand or purchase equipment. Taproom staffing issues? Tips to help, and best practices from Lady Justice Brewing about looking outside the box for candidatesResourcesLearn more about the Taproom Success MembershipSign up for the free Craft Brewery Financial Newsletter

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 USPackaging trends, and the outlook for cans, bottles and draftForecast for on-premise businessPast, present and future of seltzersLester also shares his favorite beer industry reads, and provides tips to use US Census data, labor statistics, and TTB reporting to better analyze your market.Subscribe Free to the weekly Craft Brewery Financial Newsletter

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 TopicsBanking behind the scenes: What you really need in order to get a loanLoan processing times: 45 days to 14 months...tips to get approved fasterHow to build your team of brewery professionals (insurance, legal, accounting, banking)An update on mergers in craft beerJason's favorite sources for beer news and informationResourcesPodcast: Expansion Financing Learn more about United Community BankSign Up for the FREE and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsHow to reward and motivate your taproom employees Team building tactics to help drive more revenue through your taproomHow to use accountability and a proven system to build your financial planResourcesCraft Brewery Professionals Live Event: Feb 2022Learn more about the Taproom Success MembershipSign Up for the World Famous (and FREE) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsBusiness Plan Goals...Start with your Core Values (what do you stand for?)Financial Plan GoalsSWOT AnalysisProcess vs. Outcome GoalsThe 3 Step Secret Weapon for 2022 (Eliminate, Automate, Delegate)ResourcesLearn more about the book Re-Work by Jason Fried from BasecampTim Ferriss on a technique to become more productive in 2022Learn more about the Craft Brewery Business Plan courseSign up for the FREE and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsHow wholesalers can use financial skills to navigate challenges in the marketThe BREW Initiative: Building Relationships and Empowering WomenIndustry consolidation: Key factors behind wholesaler acquisitionsResourcesLearn more about the BREW InitiativeNBWA Membership BenefitsNex Gen Leadership ConferenceSign Up for the World Famous (and FREE) Beer Business Finance Newsletter

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 TopicsUsing "Knowns and Assumptions" when starting your planThe simple magic of the "Sources and Uses" scheduleA tactical approach to build up your sales, margin, and operating expensesResourcesLearn more about Red Engine BrewingCheck out Preston's podcast: Built and BrewedSign Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 CoveredTips on where to begin: Starting points for starting a breweryThe four stages of StartABrewery.com: Plan, Act, Open, GrowFundamental principles for your distribution contracts and relationshipsResourcesLearn more about StartABrewery.comCheck out Laura's book Distribution Insight for the Craft BrewerNeed a REAL business plan for your brewery? Check out the Brewery Business Plan courseSign Up for the FREE and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsMost common financial questions brewery owners are asking these daysKey considerations when buying new brewery assets (calculate the return on investment, estimate additional costs associated with getting the asset into service)Brewery cash management tools: Fathom, Float and Helm First steps to build a brewery cash forecastResourcesLearn more about Lance CPAsPodcast: The Ultimate Brewery Software StackCheck out the online course How to Build a Brewery Profit PlanSign Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsBest practices, tips and checklists for legal planningHow John is guiding his brewery clients with year end planningWhat you need to know about: Contract reviews, lease reviews, and trademarksWatch out for these legal areas that are overlooked (and what usually goes wrong)ResourcesLearn more about the Beer Law CenterLearn more about John's book Beer Law: What Brewer's Need to KnowCheck out the Brewery Business Plan courseSign up for the FREE and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 CoveredPlanning tactics for PPP, ERC, and EIDLBenchmarking tools for breweriesAccounting technology: Chris' favorite software stack for breweriesRules of thumb for when you need a brewery software toolTop benefits of working with a brewery-specialized CPA firmResourcesLearn more about Small Batch StandardCheck out the Brewery Business Plan CourseSign Up for the World Famous and FREE Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsMost useful tool in your ABP: The brand calendarHow to create your annual spend plan to support your brandsTips to build your marketing plan and rules of thumb for how much to budgetResourcesLearn more about BrewPlan, LLCPodcast: How to Use Brewery Data to Uncover Opportunities in the MarketSign Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 void of taproom educational opportunities. ResourcesLearn more about the Taproom Success MembershipRegister to Watch the Webinar Replay 

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 CoveredWhat open book is...and What it isn't...Why you might consider OBM How to evaluate if it's right for your businessSteps to put OBM into practiceMy 3 Favorite OBM books...ResourcesBrewery Open Book Management CourseSign Up for the FREE and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 TopicsKey metrics: What to measure when talking websitesHow to use memberships to drive salesOnline beer sales, platform they offer, how it all worksResourcesLearn more about Craft PeakSign Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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. Key TopicsPrimer on how freight and logistics actually work Value added services to look for with your freight carrierThe main drivers of freight costs (and how to use this info to save money)ResourcesLearn more about Brew MoversForbes article featuring Brew MoversSign up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 accountingHow to identify and monitor the key drivers of brewery cash flowSimple cash flow templates you can use in your businessListen to the podcast and learn how to build a cash flow plan for your brewery business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 itExamples of typical brewery financing structures - equipment line of credit, working capital line of credit and term loansBasics of loan covenants - what you need to know about the debt service ratio and debt to equity ratioListen to the podcast and learn how to build a debt financing plan for your brewery business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 formaFinancial planning basics - first steps to get the plan on paperKey considerations in building your financial planListen to the podcast and learn how to use brewery financial projections to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 likeBrewery chart of accounts best practicesKey financial metrics for breweriesListen to the podcast and learn how to use brewery financial knowledge to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 taproomHow to measure with a purpose so that you get the results you wantSteps to Identify and measure the most important things for your businessListen to the podcast and learn how to build taproom scorecards to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 costsHow things have changed since the pandemic: specific insurance needs for breweries in this new, post-pandemic world Bonus topic: Kyle’s favorite books about the beer industryResourcesListen to Kye’s podcast: Beer Mighty ThingsLearn more about Arthur Hall insuranceSign-up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 CoveredFinancial Building Blocks: Chart of Accounts, General LedgerBrewery Financial Reports: Overview and Examples Financial Routines and Month end Process checklistsBuilding and training your team: Out-Sourcing OptionsListen to the podcast and learn how to use brewery financials to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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)Energy programs that are available for your beer businessChecklist that you can use to identify cost savings programsResources to stay on top of new energy programs as they become availableResourcesUse this tool to benchmark your building using Energy StarRead the case study of how NRM was able to help Aeronaut BrewingListen to the podcast and learn how to use brewery financials to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 seasonRaw material shortages (cans, cardboard, etc)The return of on-premise and how to prepare your brewery productionResourcesLearn more about GP AnalyticsLearn more about the Craft PortalListen to the podcast and learn how to build a more accurate production forecast to drive profitable growth in your business. Sign-Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

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 Topics5 Taproom Business MythsOur Proven Process for Taproom SuccessOne Thing you can do right now to improve taproom resultsClaim your 50% savings on the membership!  Use coupon code EARLYBIRD at checkout. Offer ends June 30th.ResourcesLearn more about the Taproom Success Membership

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 TopicsHow to build successful relationships with your beer distributors to grow salesResources to analyze self-distribution optionsBeer Pricing and margin tools and modelsResourcesGet the course deck and spreadsheet toolsLearn more about the 2021 Brewery Financial Training ProgramQuestions?  [email protected] up for the World Famous (and Free) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today we talk dashbaords, KPI's and compensation planning with Darin Spence and Grant Barrett from InTrench Consulting. Darin is a former GM and VP at Encompass, and Grant is a former VP of Sales at Origlio Beverage.  Key topics covered:How to manage the supplier / wholesaler relationshipBuilding performance management systemsHow to reward and pay for top performanceDarin and Grant: My favorite KPIs and Key metricsResourcesContact Darin or Grant at InTrench ConsultingPreview the Profit Rx tool Sign-Up for the Free and World-Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Joe Trombley is senior facilities planning manager at Barry-Wehmiller Design Group and technical director for the Master Brewer's Association, New England Region.  Joe works with breweries of all sizes from start-up to expansion to assist with packaging line planning, construction projects, master brewery planning, and more. Key topics covered:Rules of thumb for brewery build-out and construction costs Tips to find the ideal location for your start-up breweryWhat's involved in a feasibility study for your brewery (and why you need one)Checklist to document brewery operationsResourcesContact Joe at B-W Design Group: [email protected] or reach him by cell at 603-244-9778Sign-up for the Free and World-Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of the live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program. In this episode we cover brewery cash flow management: Best practices, key drivers of cash flow, and scorecards to track, measure and improve your cash position.The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability.The Course includes 40+ lessons delivered across 6 modules, with a total of 8 hours of instruction, 6 graded quizzes and a final exam. Watch a short video to learn more.Key topics covered:Cash Flow Management Best Practices Drivers of brewery cash flowScorecards to track and measure key cash flow metrics3-step system to improve brewery cash flowLearn more about the Brewery Financial Training Program!

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of the live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program.  In the episode, we cover the 6 Steps you can follow to create your brewery financial budget.The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability.The Course includes 40+ lessons delivered across 6 modules, with a total of 8 hours of instruction, 6 graded quizzes and a final exam. Watch a short video to learn more.Key topics covered:Financial Planning Best PracticesSales and Margin PlanOperating Expense PlanCapital Expense PlanLoan Schedules and Debt PlanningTactics to Train Department ManagersLearn more about the Brewery Financial Training Program!

In today's podcast, listen to the audio version of a presentation on Brewery Financial Best Practices in Uncertain times. Whether you are a start-up brewery, in expansion planning, or running an ongoing operation, the tools, resources and strategies covered will help you gain control over your financial results. We’ll also provide an overview of the financial programs and incentives that may be available for breweries to help during these difficult times.ResourcesBrewery Financial Training Program: Watch the 2-minute videoUse Coupon Code MBAA100 at checkout to SAVE $100 off the Program Tuition. Offer good through April 30th.Sign Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of a live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program.  We cover the common brewery financial problems, how to quickly identify them, and how to fix them. The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability.The Course includes 40+ lessons delivered across 6 modules, with a total of 8 hours of instruction, 6 graded quizzes and a final exam. Watch a short video to learn more.Key topics covered:Module #3: Common Problems in the FinancialsKeg Inventory & Product InventoryAccounts Receivable Collections & Product Margin VariancesModule #4: Beer Costing & PricingBeer Costing FundamentalsBeer Pricing (and Portfolio Margins) Don't forget to signup for the World Famous and Free Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of the live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program.The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability. The Course includes 40+ lessons delivered across 6 modules, with a total of 8 hours of instruction, 6 graded quizzes and a final exam. Watch a short video to learn more.Key topics covered:Best practices for your brewery Chart of Accounts & General LedgerHow to create brewery Financial Statements & ReportsRoutines and Month-end financial process to ensure your brewery numbers are complete and accurateLearn more about the Brewery Financial Training Program!

Today we learn about taproom sales growth tactics with Andrew Coplon from Secret Hopper. Secret Hopper is a mystery shopping service for craft breweries that is helping breweries increase their revenues, create more repeat customers, and fine tune their tasting rooms.Key takeaways:Average taproom tabs have been higher during the pandemic (Andrew shares the data and how you can use this information to increase your taproom sales)Incentives and leader boards are great tools to motivate taproom staff to sell more beer (Andrew shares examples and ideas that you can implement)Quick sales growth tips:Single use paper menus (data shows a 35% lift in sales when you use them)Ask customers if they want to go beer - the Upsell (data shows 49% buy when you ask, but only 9% buy when you don't) Resources:Ten Strategies to maximize your customers' experience and revenue in the new normal5 Tips to create a better merchandise displaySign Up for the Free and World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter! 

Open book management is a system to communicate the numbers of your brewery business and engage employees to improve financial results. In today's podcast, we talk about Open Book Management (OBM) with Audra Gaiziunas from Brewed for Her Ledger. In the podcast, Audra and I cover a wide range of topics including: The major benefits of OBM, mistakes to avoid, sharing financial information, key metrics, critical numbers, and much more.There are many details involved in an Open Book Management system, but Audra and I agree that these are the keys to success... 3 Keys to OBM SuccessFinancial literacy trainingBonus programFinancial reporting and forecastingResourcesGet in touch with Audra - Accounting, Finance, Operations Strategy For The Beer Industry​. Hel​ping You Understand The Numbers Behind The Beer.Check out the Brewery Open Book Management Online CourseSign Up for the Free and World-Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today, we hear from Josh Lance, CPA from Lance CPA group. Lance CPA Group is a virtual certified public accounting firm built to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses.In this round two of our conversation we talk about the employee retention tax credit (ERTC). A huge deal for craft breweries. Josh breaks down the rules, the details, and exactly what you need to know about this program right now.We also talk about how to use advanced financial forecasting models. Tools that can be quick and easy to update during these uncertain times.  ResourcesLearn more about Lance CPA Group (and the ERTC)Read the Lance CPA Group blog on the ERTCSign up for the World Famous (and Free!) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today we hear from Josh Lance from Lance CPA Group, a virtual certified public accounting firm built to help craft brewery owners and entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses.Josh and I dig into the details of the ultimate software stack for breweries - from accounting software to POS to brewery management software and benchmarking tools.We talk about a common question from brewery owners - When is the right time for a brewery to bring on a finance person or outsourced accounting option?And Josh walks through the key questions to ask when considering an outsourced accounting option - from onboarding through implementation.   ResourcesLearn more about Lance CPA Group (and Josh's obsession with the tv show Full House)Get the Free PDF: Strategy. Structure. Compliance. Benchmarking.Sign up for the World Famous (and Free!) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Daniel Lust is co-founder and partner of PINTS LLC, a beverage advisory firm that partners with suppliers and distributors across the country to provide objective support, guidance and best practices related to the beverage alcohol industry. In today's podcast Dan and I talk about performance metrics for beer wholesalers and breweries: Out of code, out of stocks, gross profit %, profit per stop and many more.We also dig into the details of brewery-wholesaler business relationships, and what breweries can do to make sure their brands get attention and focus to grow sales.  ResourcesContact Dan Lust at Pints, LLCSign up for the World Famous (and Free!) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

In this podcast we talk with Jim Gunther from Gunther Creative Agency. Jim specializes in creating beautiful visual identities: branding, packaging, print, digital and more. He has recently added beverage formulation to his list of services. Jim has created a Product Launch Checklist which includes all the things you should consider when launching a new product. The product launch checklist includes to-do's for legal, product development, graphics, marketing production, operations, and much more. The checklist pulls it all together in one place to help you have a profitable brand launch. Time is money. You can't afford to make mistakes or have delays during a product launch. Listen to the podcast and use Jim's checklist to keep your team on task and on deadline.ResourcesGet the Brewery Product Launch ChecklistContact Jim Gunther at Gunther Creative AgencySign Up for the Free Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

In today's podcast we hear from Jason Sleeman from United Community Bank. Jason has 20 years' experience in banking, and the last 6 years running the craft beverage vertical for United Community Bank.The hot topic on everyone's mind is the second round of PPP funding. What do breweries need to know right now to take advantage of this relief package?  How does the NAICS code factor in to the PPP?  In other words, will production breweries who also operate taprooms qualify for a larger loan?  3.5x vs 2.5x of monthly payroll, for example.  What about new breweries that just opened up as the pandemic was starting...will they qualify for relief?  You've got questions, Jason has answers. Key Topics:PPP Round 2...Q&A with the lenderHow to raise funds for a start-up breweryExpansion financing overview...how to fund the new canning lineResources:Contact Jason Sleeman at United Community Bankemail: [email protected]: 404-375-3945Coronavirus Resource Center from McLane MiddletonDon't forget to sign up for the Free Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Financial planning in a pandemic requires that you have an accelerated process to get your brewery budget done. You don't have weeks or months of time to complete this task, you have hours or days.In order to help you speed up the planning process, I'll share financial models that are easy to use and quick to update. These models are also be flexible so that you can update your numbers frequently as new information becomes available. Today's podcast is the audio-version of a webinar on Brewery Financial Planning in a Pandemic. (To watch the full webinar click the link in the Resources below.)ResourcesWatch the Webinar Replay: Brewery Financial Planning in a PandemicSign up for the FREE World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today we talk about ESOPs with Rocky Fiore, Managing Director of Prairie Capital Advisors. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) can be a great option to reward employees and keep your brewery business independent.  Craft breweries are all about collaboration, camaraderie, and employee empowerment. Employee ownership may be a natural evolution in the craft beer culture. Rocky oversees client engagements related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) feasibility and structuring, valuation, fairness opinions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), estate planning, capital structuring and more for clients across the country.Topics covered:Top reasons a craft brewery would choose an ESOPBrewery ValuationsMergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in the craft beer spaceResourcesContact info for Rocky FioreLearn more about ESOPsSign up for the World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Rich Lindsay is a former CFO for Boston Beer Company, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and a valuation expert. We hear from Rich about common questions from brewery owners:How do I value my beer business?  What is my brewery worth?  What information should I provide to potential investors?Topics Covered:Boston Beer Company  Secrets to Success (hint...it's sales training)Brewery valuation basicsCommon metrics that drive brewery valueResources:Contact information for Rich LindsayEmail:  [email protected]: 617-697-7248Sign up for the World Famous (and Free) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today we hear from Matt Hopkins, Executive Director of Independent Brewer's Alliance, the nation's only craft brewer owned cooperative. The cooperative has 100 craft brewer members with a combined 675,000 BBL of beer production.The mission of the organization is to pool purchasing power to save money on supplies and services for all member-owners.  Topics Covered Savings programs offered - cans, labels, servicesAverage/expected savings by using the programs The hot topic today: Cans, supply chain issues, and Matt's view on how long before supply catches up with demandResourcesLearn more about the Independent Brewer's Alliance (IBA)Frequently asked questions about IBASign up for the World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today, I sit down with Maria Pearman a principal with the firm of Perkins & Co.  Maria is a CPA and her focus is on the beverage alcohol business. Perkins & Co. provides a full range of services to craft breweries, including tax, audit, bookkeeping, business transaction services, controller and CFO services. Topics covered in the podcast:Business transactions, mergers & acquisitions in the craft beer spaceTop financial issues facing breweries today: PPP filing and tax implicationsEconomics of shifting from draft products (generally high margin) to package products (generally lower margin)Financial year-end planning tips and tacticsMaria's book - Small Brewery FinanceResourcesLearn more about Perkins & Co: Food and Beverage services Contact information for Maria Pearman, CPACheck out Maria's book - Small Brewery FinanceSign up for the World Famous (and Free!) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter.

Today we chat with Harry Schuhmacher, Editor and Publisher of Beer Business Daily, Craft Business Daily, and Wine & Spirits Daily.  These publications are read on every continent in the world except Antarctica.  Harry has worked in the beer business for over 30 years, and has published Beer Business Daily for the last 20 years.  Harry is also the producer of the Beer Industry Summit and the Wine & Spirits Summit. In the podcast we cover a wide range of topics:Brewery - Distributor relationshipsThe age of effervescence - is seltzer here to stay?The latest on beer wholesaler consolidationPredictions on the future of the 3-tier system Beer business lessons learned during the pandemicResourcesLearn more about Beer Business Daily Learn more about the Beer Industry SummitSign up for the World Famous Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter!

How do you finance your brewery? What does a good loan strategy look like? How can you make the most of your relationship with your lender?So many questions. In this podcast we'll provide answers so that you can create a successful financing plan for your brewery business.  Topics Covered in the PodcastBrewery Financing BasicsLoan Terms, Loan Types, Typical Loan StructuresWorking with LendersHow they evaluate breweries, What they need from you, How to make the most of the relationshipLoan Covenants + CalculationsDebt Service, Leverage…add these to your financial reporting Loan schedule spreadsheetMap out what you owe, monthly obligationsResourcesGet unlimited access to financial training courses, guides and resources with the Free 60-Day Trial to the Craft Brewery Financial Training Membership

In your beer business you can outsource payroll processing, bookkeeping and tax return preparation among other tasks. The ONE THING you cannot outsource is Cash Flow Management. Having enough cash on hand and access to capital is the key to staying in business. Cash Flow Management is the process to measure and monitor your brewery cash to ensure you have enough.  Topics Covered in the Podcast: Cash Flow BasicsAccrual accounting, Net Income vs Cash FlowCash Flow for Start-ups Key considerations, Sources/UsesCash Flow in Growth StageGrowth consumes cash, Opex and Capex planningFive Drivers of Brewery Cash Flow: How to ManageBeyond the P&L, key balance sheet accounts to monitorResourcesSign up for the Free 60-Day Trial to the Craft Brewery Financial Training Membership

Today we'll talk about brewery financial planning and forecasting. Traditional budgeting takes forever and the plan is obsolete once it's done. In this podcast we'll review tools and models to build a financial plan that can be updated regularly so that it remains useful and profitable. Topics CoveredFinancial PlanningBest Practices and Planning Pitfalls to Avoid7 Steps to a Brewery Financial PlanSales, margins, expensesHow to build the schedules, without perfect informationResourcesSign Up for the Free 60-Day Trial to the Craft Brewery Financial Training Membership

Financial literacy is the ability to read and understand the numbers of your brewery business with the purpose of improving financial results.Improving financial results may be in the areas of increased sales, improved product margins, or better cash flow. Financial literacy can help you achieve these goals. In today's podcast, we review how you can use financial reports - income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows -  to identify opportunities for financial improvement. Topics covered in the podcast:Brewery Financial ReportsHow to use each statement and create real-time reportingChart of Accounts / StructureHow to set up your brewery accounts - Use this TemplateGood Process = Good InformationReconciliations and proper routinesBuilding and training your team / Out-sourcing optionsDIY, out-source, or a combo ResourcesSign Up for the Free 60-Day Trial to the Craft Brewery Financial Training Membershipand get access to the online course: Brewery Financial Training 101

Today we talk about open book management for craft breweries. Open book management (OBM) is a system where financial information is shared with employees so that they can make better decisions.Better decisions lead to better financial outcomes, and better financial outcomes lead to a stronger brewery business for everyone.In this podcast we dig into the Evaluation Stage of open book management. We talk about what open book management is, and what it is not. We cover the key things you should consider to determine if OBM is right for your brewery. And we review three books which are required reading if you want to implement OBM in your business. Resources + ToolsLearn more about the Online Course: Open Book Management for Craft BreweriesSign up for the World Famous and Free Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

There are so many good business books out there that can help you improve financial results in your brewery business. Here are three of my favorite business books of all time:Cash Rules: How to Learn and Manage the 7 Cash Flow Drivers for Your Company's Success, by Bill McGuinessThe book provides practical instructions to measure, monitor and improve cash flow in your business. The primary drivers of cash flow: Sales, Margins, Operating Expenses, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Accounts Payable and Capital Expenditures. I've taken this concept and modified it to be useful for craft breweries. Check out the Ultimate Guide to Cash Flow for more details. 80/20 Rule: The Secret to Achieving More with Less, by Richard KochYou've probably heard of the 80/20 rule, otherwise known as the Pareto Principle. Essentially, it states that 20% of efforts create 80% of results. So, there's 20% of what you do that makes 80% of the difference.  The challenge is trying to figure out what the 20% is so that you can do more of these things, and spend more time on efforts that really make a difference.  In the beer business you can use 80/20 to identify your most profitable customers and products (brands/SKUs). Run the analysis and you'll see that 80% of sales comes from 20% of your customers. And 80% of sales come from 20% of your brands. Then use this insight to improve financial results in your brewery.  Financing the Small Business, by Robert SissonEvery brewery should have a financing strategy. A game plan so that you have access to capital when you need it. In good times, and in tough times, a good financing strategy will keep your brewery on solid financial footing. The book covers how to approach banks, how to create loan proposals, how banks make lending decisions, and more.Don't forget to Sign Up for the World Famous (and Free) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter.

In today's podcast, we hear from Steven Quish from Cross Insurance. Cross has 40 office locations and 1000 employees. They work with over two dozen brewery clients, so they understand the beer industry.Steve shares his perspective on insurance issues facing beer industry today. Topics range from Business Income Interruption insurance, to Workers' Compensation, and how to prepare a COVID impact statement. What's a COVID impact statement? Why do you need this? Listen in to learn more. We also discuss day to day insurance considerations for breweries. For example, certificates of insurance, hold harmless agreements and how to use a safety program to help reduce workers' compensation premiums.  ResourcesContact Steve Quish from Cross Insurance: [email protected] more about Cross Insurance Don't forget to sign up for the World Famous (and Free!) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter. Financial Intel for Breweries, Delivered Weekly. 

Jon Reynolds from BrewPlan is a 40 year beer industry veteran. Jon works with breweries on new brand launches, setting up distribution networks, working with wholesalers and performing brewery analysis and feasibility studies (think of this like a business plan on steroids).  Jon subscribes to 30 industry publications, so he is well-read on current events (and past events) that are shaping the beer business. In today's conversation, we cover a lot of ground on a number of topics that are useful and profitable for craft brewery owners and managers: How to use data to uncover opportunities in the market. How to strengthen wholesaler relationships. How innovation is the key to the future of craft brewery sales growth.Jon's #1 tip on wholesaler relationships: You earn it when you make sales calls in their market. You'll get their support right away.  Resources:Contact information for Jon Reynolds from BrewPlanUniversity of Vermont Business of Craft BeerJon's Favorite Industry Newsletters: Brewbound, Craft Brewing Business, Shanken News DailyDon't forget to subscribe to the World Famous (and Free) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter.

Today we talk with attorney John Moran about capital raising for breweries. Brewery owners want to know where to get funding and how the process works. They want to know how to use debt or equity (or a combination of the two) to fund their project. John has answers.We also dig into the details of brewery operating agreements and what sections brewery owners need to pay special attention to (voting rights, buy/sell terms, and more).ResourcesThe Brew Kit - A practical guide to starting, owning, and operating a craft breweryContact information for attorney John MoranSign up for the World Famous (and Free!) Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today we talk about two of my favorite brewery financial tools. These are useful in calculating various aspects of our brewery business: The Beer Case Equivalent Calculator and The Taproom Sales Calculator. The Beer Case Equivalent tool can be used to quickly convert your different package sizes to Case Equivalents, otherwise known as CE's.  What's a CE?  It's a unit of measure that equals 24 12oz servings. The CE is a standard unit of measure for the beer wholesaler. The Taproom Sales Calculator can be used to determine how much revenue can be generated with each barrel of beer.  A common metric is Revenue per BBL. This spreadsheet helps you break down and estimate the different ways you can sell the beer - 16oz drafts, 12oz drafts, 10oz drafts, flights, growlers, etc. ResourcesBeer Case Equivalent CalculatorTaproom Sales Calculator Sign up for the World-Famous, and Free, Craft Brewery Financial Training Newsletter

Today, we hear from Attorney John Szymankiewicz from the Beer Law Center in Raleigh, NC. John's last name belongs in the finals of a spelling bee, so we'll just refer to him as John S. In our discussion, John discusses the legal concept of force majeure and what brewery owners should know about this contract clause which is included in most supplier and wholesaler agreements. How is force majeure being used during the pandemic? What are options for breweries?  John S. has the answers.John has written book on beer law which is a helpful resource for brewery owners. He covers topics ranging from federal licensing to labeling to buying and selling your business. ResourcesContact John S. through the Beer Law CenterCheck out the Beer Law Blog on important topics for BreweriesShop for John's book, Beer Law: What Brewer's Need to KnowSign up for the World Famous - and Free - Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter 

Jim Keenan is an intellectual property guru who helps breweries protect their most valuable business assets: their brands. John Moran specializes in federal and state licensing and compliance and is the author of an essential resource for breweries: The Brew Kit. In today's podcast, we hear from these two attorneys who specialize in issues that are critically important to craft brewery owners and managers. Jim walks us through the process of how and when to file for a trademark. John takes us through the Brew Kit - the checklists, deadlines and summary of key considerations for starting, running and owning a craft brewery.  ResourcesBrew Kit for MassachusettsBrew Kit for MaineBrew Kit for New HampshireBio, contact info and details for Jim Keenan and John MoranMusic Licensing Kit: What you need to knowSign-Up for the FREE and World-Famous Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter

In today's podcast we talk with attorney Trevor Brewer from BrewerLong Business Law. We cover a number of topics in Trevor's areas of practice: alcohol beverage regulation, beverage licensing, and distribution agreements.Trevor provides his guidance on executive orders and how brewery's can stay in compliance. We talk about the future of state alcohol regulation (e-commerce, curbside, home delivery) and whether the rules that have been relaxed during the pandemic will go back to the way they were prior to the crisis.More Resources:Contact information for Trevor BrewerBeverage law information and resourcesSign-Up for the Free and World-Famous Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter

In today's podcast, I sit down with Randall Behrens from Live Oak Bank. Live Oak is the largest SBA lender in the country, covering all 50 states with 650 employees. They also have a have a craft beverage team that understands the beer business.Randall gives his 'state of the beer industry' from a banking and lending perspective. He also provides tips and must-do's for brewery owners right now. More ResourcesLive Oak Bank COVID-19 ResourcesContact information to connect with Randall Behrens. Phone: 707-921-1099, email: [email protected] Up for the Free Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter

In today's podcast, I talk with Kyle Smith from Gorman Smith Beverage Equipment company. In our conversation we cover a variety of subjects from brewery equipment sourcing to using Gap Analysis to model your brewery business. There's no better time than right now to focus on business fundamentals to improve and strengthen your brewery operations. Kyle shares his thoughts on how to re-build your business plan and use simple tools to perform a Gap Analysis. Links to More ResourcesLearn more about Gorman Smith Beverage Equipment Tom Wujec and Systems Thinking Blog post on Gap Analysis, SWOT Analysis, and more toolsSign up for the free and world-famous Craft Brewery Finance newsletter.

This sounds like an outrageous title for today's podcast: How to Increase To-Go Beer Sales 500% by Asking One Question.  But Andrew Coplon from Secret Hopper has the answer. And the One Question.In the podcast Andrew also shares that taprooms who provide paper menus to customers get a 35% increase in sales. Paper menus can increase customer sales by 35%? Really?Really.In our discussion, Andrew provides even more tips on how to grow online sales during these days of curbside pickup. The guidance here is simple, powerful and profitable. Three of my favorite words.Check out the episode and increase your taproom sales today!Additional Resources:Ten Strategies to maximize your customers' experience and revenue in the new normal5 Tips to create a better merchandise displaySign up for the world-famous (and free!) Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter.

In this episode, I talk with retail beer sales expert Bump Williams. Bump is very connected in the beer industry - he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. He combines the knowledge he gains from his beer network with retail sales data to provide useful insights that brewery owners can use to grow sales, especially during this pandemic.We talk about a wide range of topics: What's going on at retail - sales trends, pack sizes and pricing. Best practices for beer recalls due to out of code...and tips for how craft breweries can compete with bigger breweries...even if smaller crafts can't produce larger package sizes to keep up with the big breweries. Learn more about Bump Williams ConsultingSign up for the world-famous (and free!) Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter.  

What is one lesson all breweries should learn from this crisis? Always have a financial contingency plan.In today's podcast, I talk to Audra Gaiziunas from Brewed for Her Ledger, LLC.  We cover  how to build a financial contingency plan, the importance of cash reserves, working capital lines of credit, and investor sources of capital. Other topics covered in the episode: The new beer margins and the need to right-size operating expenses. The most important (and most misunderstood) financial statement. The new super power breweries must learn: Diversification. Links to more resourcesWebinar - Forecasting Cash Flow Needs During Times of TurbulenceWebinar - Best Practices for Cash Flow ManagementSign up for the free Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter. Financial Intel for Craft Breweries. 

In these financially troubled times, the accountant has become an unsung hero. Brewery owners and managers are looking for someone who 'has their back' financially. They need a specialist to guide them, to help with cash flow planning, financial forecasts and navigating the documentation needed for SBA loans and insurance claims. These are complicated times, and now more than ever, the accountant can help simplify things. Enter Chris Farmand, from Small Batch Standard.  Small Batch Standard is a craft brewery consulting, accounting and financial strategy company. In this podcast, Chris shares his perspective on the current state of the industry, and financial advice for breweries when they need it most - right now.  Resources mentioned in the podcast:Cash Flow planning webinar replayThe package store opportunity webinar replayBefore you go, don't forget to sign up for the free, world-famous Craft Brewery Finance Newsletter.  This is brewery financial training delivered straight to your in-box.

In today's episode, we talk to Julie Rhodes from Not your hobby marketing.  Julie is a beer industry sales and marketing expert.  She has over 20,000 hours of experience in brand management, wholesaler management, and using data-driven results to help breweries grow sales. Topics covered in this episode:How to use brewery sales and marketing fundamentals to navigate the Covid-19 crisisEssential skills needed most today: Agility, innovation, and flexibility Tactics and lessons learned for remote beer sales Tips to build strong relationships with wholesalers and retailers Best practices for wholesaler APB meetingsNot a subscriber? Sign up for the world-famous Craft Brewery Finance newsletter.

In this episode I talk with Justin Kendall from Brewbound, a leading resource for the beer industry. We discuss how the pandemic has exposed a major flaw in the taproom-only model, and how breweries are responding. We explore topics ranging from brewery 'survival mode' to future diversification strategies for breweries. And, as Justin says,"Just keep fighting."  

In this episode I talk to Jeff Saari from Workplace Culture Solutions about how brewery owners can manage their mindset during this crisis. We explore the challenges and benefits of remote working, how to stay connected and engaged with co-workers, and how to use this time productively to build new skills so that we emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. Links to resources we talk about in the podcast - Lean more about Jeff Saari and his teaching - https://workplaceculturesolutions.com/toolsStrengthsfinder 2.0 to uncover your talents and build your strengths (and those of your brewery co-workers as well)Traction book to run Level 10 meetings 

Now, more than ever, cash flow planning is a financial survival skill.  In this episode we review a 3-step process you can use right now to keep more cash in your brewery. I also share the model that I use to keep a close eye on cash to monitor money moving in and out of our brewery business. To get regular brewery financial tips and strategies, sign up for the free Craft Brewery Finance newsletter. Get the Cash Flow models in this blog post. 

In today’s podcast we present Best Practices to manage your empty keg inventory. It’s 8am, do you know where your kegs are? Unless you have a good system in place to […]The post Podcast: CBF 003 Best Practices for Managing Kegs appeared first on Craft Brewery Finance.

In today’s podcast we’ll review the nitty gritty details of borrowing money to start up or expand your brewery. The decision to expand your brewery is a big one. You’ve […]The post Podcast: CBF 002 Brewery Financing Basics appeared first on Craft Brewery Finance.