brewery podcast

Derrick and Jonathan hang out with Anello Mollica in the Amherst, WI taproom of Central Waters Brewing Company! They also have a location in Milwaukee, WI.  

Stop in, appreciate some well-deserved downtime, take a tour and see their expansive barrel house, load up on their merch and beer to-go before you leave and see what Central Waters has in store. Always embracing change and looking to be the best they can be, add a visit to both taprooms to your next travel itineraries!

And when in Central Wisconsin, check out the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective brought to you by the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Just download your mobile passport and go! Earn points, by checking in at the Craft Pass locations and redeeming offers. 

Visit Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst or Milwaukee, WI!

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Gabrielle Blanco, Owner of Buckstin Brewing, joined us for this killer episode of The True Craft Podcast. With a long history in the restaurant industry and a booming brewery (that’s currently expanding), Gabi advocates for why all breweries should operate their own kitchens. 

By keeping it simple and having systems in place, every brewery can operate a profitable kitchen. And no excuses on size — Buckstin’s kitchen is a whopping 128 square feet.

First steps, helpful tips, real-life examples, and key systems — all this and more on today’s episode.

Links:

Buckstin Brewing - Website
Buckstin Brewing - Instagram
Buckstin Brewing - Facebook

Gabrielle’s Contact:

gab@buckstinbrewing.com

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We are proud to present the 2nd Annual Outdoor Winter Beer Festival!

We’re back at Badger State Brewing in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 9, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

Prepare for the frosty festivities as we’ll be hosting 20+ outstanding breweries who are ready to serve up unlimited samples right to your glass!

Save the date, mark your calendars and bundle up for an unforgettable day at the Pour Another Round Outdoor Winter Beer Festival. Let’s brave the cold weather and revel in the warmth of great company and even better beer! 

We’re looking forward to pouring another round with you! Head to pouranotherround.com for all the details and to get your tickets today!

Derrick and Jonathan catch up with the Wisconsin Beer Baron himself, Chris Drosner!

Chris has covered the Wisconsin craft beer scene throughout the craft-beer boom with his Beer Baron reporting at the Wisconsin State Journal. Chris is the current executive editor of Milwaukee Magazine. 

Chris takes us through the evolution of craft beer in Wisconsin and what trends we've seen here. We make him pick out some of his favorite breweries and beer styles. 

Follow @WIbeerbaron on Twitter...er...X...to find all the beer-loving content he's got rolling.

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Awildan (ah-WILL-den) is an Old English word meaning to make or become wild. At Awildan Distilling, Jeff Olson is inspired by the natural world and humankind’s long, intertwining connection to the wild. Awildan Distilling was founded with the mission to heighten the joy of living, and to elevate life’s experiences through exceptional whiskey and spirits.

Derrick and Jonathan join Jeff in the Awildan tasting room in Sun Prairie, WI to taste their way through a journey of spirits including Genever and Poitin and Spiced Rum. Jeff brews beer too so we chat about his transition from being a brewer to distilling spirits and how those experiences compare.

Jeff believes if he isn't proud of the spirits he's creating, it isn't worth the work.

Check Out Awildan Distilling in Sun Prairie, WI:

https://www.awildan.com/

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We are thrilled to kick off the new year by welcoming Russell Heissner of Barrel House Z onto The True Craft Podcast!

Russ is truly a wealth of knowledge in brewing sustainability. Having developed technology to upcycle spent grain, breweries can reduce waste hauling costs, make more beer from existing inputs, reduce their environmental impact, and tell a sustainability story. 

Will this be the next revolution in craft beer? Listen now and let us know what you think.

Links:

Zenso Labs - Website
Zenso Labs - Instagram

Barrel House Z - Website
Barrel House Z - Instagram
Barrel House Z - Facebook

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Crafting Culture. Cultivating Community. Breaking for Beer. This is Sabbatical Brewing Co. in Manitowoc, WI.

Derrick and Jonathan join Will Schneider in the brewery and discuss Sabbatical's beginnings as he and his wife took a leap of faith into a new venture - they still manage ABLE Community Options for children, families & young adults with special needs located very near the brewery.   

Situated in an old grain mill, Sabbatical is a gathering place that can't be beaten. (We even got a behind-the-scenes tour of parts of the mill that still exist!)
The aged bricks, wood and metal are constant reminders of the hard-working people who came before us, and the folks at Sabbatical have a desire to continue that sentiment. 

Producing and serving craft beer, cider and seltzer in the heart of Manitowoc, Sabbatical offers a large taproom where events are often taking place as well as pet-friendly outdoor seating.
 

We are thrilled to welcome Zack O’Connor, Senior Vice President of Fort George Brewing Company onto the True Craft Podcast this week. 

Strategic planning has often been treated as a once-a-year check box on a to-do list, but what if there’s a better, significantly more impactful way? Zack sheds valuable insight into his collaborative approach, always-evolving process, and growth mindset around strategic planning.

There’s something about the pairing of resilience and humility that really does it for us over here at SBS — and this episode hits hard.

Links:

Fort George Brewery - Website
Fort George Brewery - Instagram
Fort George Brewery - Facebook

Zack’s Reading Recommendations:
Great by Choice by Jim Collins
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

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Make the beers with the best ingredients. Don't cut corners. Period. That's the philosophy of Clark Lewey and Mike Saboe at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa. 

If you're anything like us, you've enjoyed many Pseudo Sue and King Sue beers with your friends, but do you know about Toppling Goliath's full range of delicious brews they've got in their line up? 

Clark and Barbara Lewey founded Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in 2009 in Decorah, Iowa after huge success in home brewing. In less than a decade, TG has become world-renowned for IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. They even distribute in 30 states and create more than 40 beers that rotate throughout the year. 

Tune in to this episode with Clark and Mike to find out how they've done it all! 

Check Out Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, IA:

https://www.tgbrews.com/

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Cool City Brewing Company was born in order to leave behind a legacy in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Derrick and Jonathan hang with Ryan and Barry in the taproom surrounded by beers, old fashioned flights and cheese curd flights! Yes, that's right! Curd flights! 

Cool City embraces flights with truly anything on their menu - coffee, beer, booze, burgers, wings or curds to just name a few.

The Cool City building began life as Two Rivers Savings Bank, until its last tenant, Wells Fargo vacated the property. The Andrews and Krahn families invite you, and your family (young and old)  to stop in, put your phone down, and engage in much needed authentic conversation. 

Check Out Cool City Brewing Company in Two Rivers, WI:

https://www.coolcitybrewing.com/

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It isn’t as simple as it used to be, is it? Good liquid alone just doesn’t cut it anymore. 

This week on The True Craft Podcast, Chris and Katy are joined by Mark Bjornstad from Drekker Brewing to discuss the role of alternate revenue streams in the brewing space. Mark comes from a unique perspective of also owning and operating Brewhalla, a beer-themed boutique hotel that sits on top of Drekker Brewing.

There’s something to be said for cultivating a new kind of customer experience — and in this climate, brewery owners would be wise to do the same.

Links:

Drekker Brewing - Website
Drekker Brewing - Instagram

Brewhalla - Website
Brewhalla - Instagram

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A lot has changed with Working Draft Beer Company in the over five years they've graced Madison's craft beer scene. Jonathan and Derrick revisit Working Draft to pour another round with Clint Lohman, Head Brewer, Co-Owner and Co-Founder!

Clint is dedicated to honoring the traditions of classic European breweries, while also putting his spin on fresh American styles and highlighting incredible ingredients. You'll find a wide variety of styles on tap, from clean and crisp lagers, to juicy and fresh IPAs, to roasty and bold stouts. 

Clint has been touted as the best damn lager brewer around!

Many of the WDBC beers are also available in cans or crowlers, to-go at the taproom and around Madison at your favorite liquor stores.

Check Out Working Draft Beer Company in Madison, WI:

https://www.workingdraftbeer.com/

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No matter how you slice it, ownership needs to carry some measure of accountability when it comes to staff turnover and creating a positive culture. 

Chris and Katy welcome Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Derek Fernholz and Blake Thompson, from Fernson Brewing Company to this episode of The True Craft Podcast to discuss the ins and outs of hiring practices within a brewery.

Getting this piece right or wrong can make or break your entire operation. We discuss culture’s impact on retention, how to stop losing sleep over the food side of your business, and ask where AI fits into the hiring process for brewery owners.

Links:

Fernson Brewing Company - Website
Fernson Brewing Company - Instagram

AI To-Do List Resource:
goblin.tools

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Join Jonathan and Derrick as they pour another round with Oliver, Amy and Blaine at Hop Yard Ale Works in Appleton, WI!

From auto shop to brewery taproom, Oliver and Amy Behm started Hop Yard Ale Works to relive the best part of their memories from beer adventures that took them around the world. 

Visit the taproom, come as you are, strike up a conversation with a stranger or the beertender. You might find Amy slinging food-fired pizzas, Blaine brewing up a new red ale or milkshake IPA, and Oliver is probably taste testing each of the beers on tap...quality control is important!!

A brewery isn't a bar, nor is a restaurant... it's better!

Check Out Hop Yard Ale Works:

https://hopyardaleworks.com/

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Community goes beyond patron services: We’re talking wholesalers, retailers, local organization leaders, and employees. And when it comes to return on investment, it’s hard to find something that can be more lucrative than authentic relationship building.

Chris and Katy are joined on this episode of The True Craft Podcast by Pearce Fleming from Commonhouse Aleworks to discuss the specifics of fostering a brewery’s community (and it’s not just trivia night on Wednesdays).

We chat about:

• The recently passed economic development bill in South Carolina, allowing breweries to sell more to-go beer (including a sixtel!)
• Being “all in” with relationships: Whether wholesalers, local impact organizations, or customers; this mindset fosters community and ultimately leads to huge ROI
• Open-book management and inspiring the brewery team to do their best work while creating an environment where employees can show up fully as themselves

Links:

Commonhouse Aleworks - Website
Commonhouse Aleworks - Instagram

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In today’s episode of The True Craft Podcast, Chris and Katy have a candid discussion about the impact of entrepreneurship on business owners and their families. 

Katy and Chris address tough questions through lenses of both coming from families of entrepreneurs. What effect does this lifestyle really have on your family? How and when do you start delegating? What does it actually look like to healthily run a business?

Strap in for this one, it’s going to be killer.

Links:

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Note: If this episode strikes a cord with you and you want to continue this conversation in another episode, please reach out to Katy at katy@sbstandard.com

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In this episode, Katy and Chris are joined by a True Craft Podcast veteran, Adam Robbings of Reuben’s Brews. We catch up with Adam to discuss what he is seeing as a Pacific Northwest craft leader in both the taproom and distribution.

In particular, we discuss:

• What the heck is happening with distribution? Is draft really losing the game?
• How pricing and inflation are impacting both breweries and consumers.
• Predictions for 2024 and how craft beer can still find its way despite the changes in the industry. (Hint: Rock solid finances are non-negotiable).

Links:

Reuben’s Brews - Website
Reuben’s Brews - Instagram
The Taster Tray

Contact Adam:
adam@reubensbrews.com

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We’re back with Season 5 of The True Craft Podcast!

Join co-hosts Chris Farmand and Katy Noel as they dive into a new era of conversations with brewery owners and operators. Chris and Katy discuss the vision for season five and kickoff with our first guest, Bill Tressler, CEO and Co-Founder of Hinterland Brewery out of Green Bay, WI.

We unpack challenges the craft industry has faced over the years and the mindset changes brewery owners have had to make in order to stay adaptable and profitable in the face of headwinds.

We are thrilled to be back!

Links:

Hinterland Brewery - Website
Hinterland Brewery - Instagram

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The Gundersons, a family of 5, founded G5 Brewing Company in 2019. Five Gundersons. G5 Brewing. A whole family affair. 

This is the southernmost brewery in Wisconsin. We talk about the beautiful views from their taproom, the big sky country inspiration of Montana, and drink many, many rounds. 

Tim and Eric joke about each beer as the naming process seems to be a point of pain for them sometimes. 

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Follow G5 Brewing Company: 

Instagram: @g5brewco
Facebook: /g5brewing
Twitter: @g5brewco
Website: g5brewing.net

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Jonathan joins and John Mleziva live in front of a live audience in the State Line Distillery tasting room in Madison, WI. 

The State Line story begins 3,700 miles northeast of Madison, in Edinburgh, Scotland. John was studying to open his own brewery!  Soon enough, the intricate science and subtle art of distillation captured John's imagination, leading him away from beer and toward the production of spirits.

Fast forward - State Line is Madison's first grain-to-glass distillery,  where their spirits are made with heritage grains sourced from Wisconsin's Driftless Region.

They make: American Gin, London Dry Gin, Barreled Gin, Coffee Liqueur, Rum, Vodka, Aperitivo, Aquavit (which is arguably worse than Malort!), Whiskey COMING SOON "arriving when it's matured" - and many of these are award winning!

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This episode is brought to you by Destination Madison's Madison on Tap.

Madison on Tap is your FREE roadmap to more than 30 breweries, cideries and distilleries in the greater Madison, Wisconsin region. And there are discounts and prizes along the way! Madison on Tap is mobile exclusive but requires no app download.

Sign up at VisitMadison.com and all you need to do is check-in at each location you visit on the trail, get your discounts and receive extra perks. Just 3 check-ins gets you a Madison on Tap sticker; 6 check-ins gets you a Madison on Tap hat and 12 check-ins gets you entered to win an overnight Madison Craft experience!

Cheers and happy trails!

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