This month we are talking about distribution. Every brewery owner needs to decide if it’s right for their business and to weigh the pros and cons between a distribution partner, self distribution, or keeping your beer sales solely in house.

First we’ll hear from Laura Lodge the Owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, Start a Brewery and author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer.Then we’ll hear from Will Loring of Lesser-Known Brewing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

The co-founder of the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival, Laura Lodge has been engaged in the craft beer industry since 1997. She’s the Owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, designing events, resort retail programs, and educational programs based on craft beer, and is also the author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer.

With a passion for beer beginning in college, Will Loring started the beer program in a local Fredericksburg grocer in 2012. This eventually led him to the distribution side where he worked as a sales rep for many years before becoming the area sales manager of Richmond, VA.

With over a decade’s worth of experience in the beer industry, Will set off to co-found Lesser-Known Beer Co. which opened in July of 2022. Dedicated to service and keeping it simple, the brewery is focused on traditional styles offered in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 45 is sponsored by:

Fermentis  
Nanobrewers, try adding a cider to your lineup! Whether you want a crisp, sweet or fruity cider, discover the SafCider™ range: 4 cider strains available in 5-gram pouches, the perfect size for you. Just make your choice or try them all! To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation, and for the latest on their exciting new product releases, visit www.fermentis.com.

ABS Commercial
ABS Commercial is proud to be your full-service brewery outfitter for over 10 years! They love being able to give back to the industry which is why they have kicked off their ninth Keg Viking Giveaway! The grand prize is their state of the art Keg Viking keg washer PLUS a full pallet of half barrel kegs from G4 Kegs. Check out more details and enter to win at abs-commercial.com.

Brewers Publications
This episode is also sponsored by Brewers Publications — the leading publisher for craft brewers. Now available, Brewery Safety: Principles, Processes, and People, is the first and only safety book for the craft brewing industry. No matter the size of your brewery, author Matt Stinchfield’s insightful chapters will help you evaluate, educate, and execute safety-conscious measures. Order Brewery Safety at BrewersPublications.com/byopod and save 10% with discount code byopod through Dec. 31, 2023.

BYO Nano+ Membership
Get access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 45
Host: John Holl
Guests: Laura Lodge, Will Loring

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell