small batch standard

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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On today’s episode of The True Craft Podcast, no stone is left unturned. Katy and Chris welcome Richard Fennell of C&G Brewing out of Dallas, TX.

From managing thirty-six “beer gun” taps to navigating Texas beer laws, this episode takes a look at a wide variety of topics. We even discuss strategic ways to maximize margins in distribution and ask a very timely question: “Has craft left the next generation behind?”

Links:

C&G Brewing - Website
C&G Brewing - Facebook

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Join Katy Noel and Chris Farmand for a very special episode of The True Craft Podcast. In this week’s episode, we welcome Adam Ruhland of Wild State Cider to dive into the dynamic world of cider. 

We explore trends shaping the craft market, address the unique profile of cider drinkers, unpack how to form a portfolio, and compare beer vs. cider regulations. 

In the end, we conclude that cider has a) less regulations than beer and b) far less competition than craft beer. But what does that mean for the craft industry? I invite you to listen to learn more.

Links:

Wild State Cider - Website
Wild State Cider - Instagram
Wild State Cider - Facebook

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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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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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In a special iteration of The True Craft Podcast, Katy interviews Chris on his reflections of the various investments made at Small Batch Standard in 2023.

Get a glimpse at the inner workings of SBS, including how we’ve built out our team this year and the impact that’s had on client services. Learn about how our benchmarking software, Compass, has completely been rebuilt and what we’re projecting for SBS and our clients in 2024.

Links:

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Today on The True Craft Podcast, Chris and Katy welcome Philip Maple from Barley & Pie Brewing Company. Join us as we explore Philip's sourdough journey including the trials and triumphs of mastering the craft.

What forethought and strategies are essential to success when opening breweries in today’s market? What value does having a niche add to your business plan? Does pairing passions make your model stronger?

All this and more on today’s episode.

Links:

Barley & Pie - Website
Barley & Pie - Instagram
Barley & Pie - Facebook

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While we’re often discussing beer, there is another whole side to craft: spirits. How do buying behaviors differ between beer and spirits consumers? What can we learn about each segment of this industry through the lens of the other?

Join Katy, Chris, and Colin Spoelman of Kings County Distillery this week on the True Craft Podcast as they dive into regionalization, industry trends for spirits vs. beer, and what seems to be on the horizon for both.

Links:

Kings County Distillery - Website
Kings County Distillery - Instagram

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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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There are two indicators that an industry has matured: a lack of growth and a lack of innovation.

The craft beer Age of Exploration throughout the 2010s led to questions like, “What could beer be?” which brought about nontraditional beer concoctions that intrigued consumers. But now we are experiencing a shift in consumer behavior and what was once seen as innovative is now met with a desire for just solid, great-tasting classics.

How do you walk the line of innovating enough… but not overextending your business? How are style cycles influencing craft? And what impacts occur to the industry as younger generations come of drinking age?

Chris and Katy welcome Joel McClosky of Four Saints Brewing onto The True Craft Podcast to discuss all this and more on today’s episode.

Links:

Four Saints Brewing - Website
Four Saints Brewing - Instagram
Four Saints Brewing - TikTok
Four Saints Brewing - Facebook

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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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It’s scary to be honest with yourself. (Happy Halloween, anyone?) But it’s impossible to be successful while living in a false reality.

We are pleased to welcome back a True Craft Podcast veteran in this week’s episode: Michael Memsic from Sanitas Brewing. Chris, Katy, and Michael dive into a myriad of topics such as:

• White space beers’ place in an IPA world
• The nature of trends in the craft beer industry
• How intimidating — and important — it is for brewery owners to network with each other
• The danger of being over-emotional about your liquid

Join us for a refreshingly candid conversation about the state of craft beer in 2023.

Links:

Sanitas Brewing Co - Website
Sanitas Brewing Co - Instagram

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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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On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, Chris and Katy are joined by Terry Horner, Owner of Liability Brewing in Greenville, South Carolina. They dive deep into the world of B Corps — and Terry shifts Chris’s entire mindset on this topic. 

We explore the vast benefits taking this path can have on your business and community, unpack what it really looks like to get certified, and weigh the value-adds vs. challenges of becoming a B Corp. 

Links:
Liability Brewing - Website
Liability Brewing - Instagram
Liability Brewing’s 2022 Public Benefit Report

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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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In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, Katy and Chris welcome Greg Parker from Iron Horse Brewery to challenge the mainstream understanding of brewery team organization.

At the end of the day, every person on your team is just that… a person. How are you as a leader facilitating the health and growth of your team? 

Join as we discuss why self-awareness in leadership is critical, the most common ways brewery owners waste their time, and how not to kill your culture.

Links:

Iron Horse Brewery - Website
Iron Horse Brewery - Instagram

Greg’s email:
greg@ironhorsebrewery.com

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In this episode, Chris and Katy sit down with Zak Koga from Karben4 Brewing out of Madison, WI to explore the blunt realities of contract brewing in the craft beer industry. 

Are the headwinds in craft at least in part a product of a mature industry? Could Canabev just maybe be the answer to our capacity issues? How can breweries adapt with the use of contract brewing?

All this and more in this episode of The True Craft Podcast.

Links:
Karben4 Brewing - Website
Karben4 Brewing - Instagram
Karben4 Brewing - Facebook

For inquiries about contract brewing:

Zak’s email: zak@karben4.com

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We’re at the end of season 4 and we can't thank you enough for another great season. We thought it would be fitting to cap things off with a friend of the show…

Today’s guest is Jason Sleeman, a National Craft Beverage Lender from United Community Bank out of Atlanta, Georgia.

Chris and Jason both give their perspective on current start-ups and expansions, the practicality of having no food program, and the potential future opportunity for contract brewers.

Enjoy!

Links:
United Community Bank
Jason’s LinkedIn

Today’s guest is the founder of a brewery with a built-in distribution company, helping other Iowa breweries distribute their beer throughout the entire state.

We’re talking with John Martin from Confluence Brewing Company out of Des Moines, Iowa.

John explains the distribution company Confluence has built over the years, their early days of packaging and how that’s changed, along with their “Dad beers” and the unique event that accompanies them.

Enjoy!

Links:
Confluence Brewing Company