Sometimes the best taproom ideas come from outside the beer industry. In this episode of the Taproom Success Podcast, Andrew shares an experience at a bowling alley where guests were given free samples of food and shortly afterward ordered both items they had sampled. That simple interaction sparked a question: Could breweries use free food samples to introduce guests to menu items and increase average check size? In this episode we explore how breweries might test this strategy, particularly when launching a new kitchen, adding menu items, or encouraging guests who normally only order beer to try the food. We also discuss the economics: Andrew shares data showing that taproom guests who order food can have significantly higher check totals. The idea is to run a small, measurable experiment and see whether a little taste can lead to a much bigger sale. <ul><li>A free sample can create demand. Giving guests a small taste may introduce them to something they didn't know they wanted and encourage them to order the full item.</li><li>Food can dramatically increase average check size. Andrew cites taproom data showing average checks were about 95% higher when guests ordered food versus when they didn’t. </li><li>Use sampling strategically. Consider testing it when introducing a new menu, opening a kitchen, promoting a high-margin item, or during a slower shift rather than giving samples to everyone all the time. </li><li>Borrow ideas from outside the beer industry. Bowling alleys, Costco, ice cream shops, and other retailers offer lessons breweries can adapt to help guests spend more, stay longer, and have a better experience. </li></ul> Join the conversation at Taproom Success.com!

Sometimes the best taproom ideas come from outside the beer industry. In this episode of the Taproom Success Podcast, Andrew shares an experience at a bowling alley where guests were given free samples of food and shortly afterward ordered both items they had sampled. That simple interaction sparked a question: Could breweries use free food samples to introduce guests to menu items and increase average check size? In this episode we explore how breweries might test this strategy, particularly when launching a new kitchen, adding menu items, or encouraging guests who normally only order beer to try the food. We also discuss the economics: Andrew shares data showing that taproom guests who order food can have significantly higher check totals. The idea is to run a small, measurable experiment and see whether a little taste can lead to a much bigger sale. A free sample can create demand. Giving guests a small taste may introduce them to something they didn't know they wanted and encourage them to order the full item.Food can dramatically increase average check size. Andrew cites taproom data showing average checks were about 95% higher when guests ordered food versus when they didn’t. Use sampling strategically. Consider testing it when introducing a new menu, opening a kitchen, promoting a high-margin item, or during a slower shift rather than giving samples to everyone all the time. Borrow ideas from outside the beer industry. Bowling alleys, Costco, ice cream shops, and other retailers offer lessons breweries can adapt to help guests spend more, stay longer, and have a better experience. Join the conversation at Taproom Success.com!

The Free Sample Strategy: A Simple Way to Increase Taproom Sales

In this episode of the Taproom Success Podcast, we break down taproom growth into 3 simple drivers: Traffic, average guest spend, and frequency of return visits.We explore practical tactics for each driver - from thinking beyond social media and using private events to attract new guests, to training staff to simply ask for the next purchase, to ending a guest interaction with the powerful question, “When will I see you again?” Key Takeaways:<ul><li>Focus on the Big Three: Grow taproom sales by increasing traffic, average guest spend, and visit frequency.</li><li>Look beyond social media: Private events, email, text, your website, in-taproom promotion, and even old-school grassroots marketing can all help drive traffic. </li><li>Train your staff around one simple, measurable behavior: Asking about food, another beer, to-go beer, loyalty programs, or the guest's next visit can increase sales without requiring more traffic. </li><li>Turn ideas into action: Use an Impact/Effort Matrix to prioritize opportunities, choose one initiative, establish a measurement, set a deadline, and test whether it actually works. </li></ul> Join the conversation at Taproom Success.com!

In this episode of the Taproom Success Podcast, we break down taproom growth into 3 simple drivers: Traffic, average guest spend, and frequency of return visits. We explore practical tactics for each driver - from thinking beyond social media and using private events to attract new guests, to training staff to simply ask for the next purchase, to ending a guest interaction with the powerful question, “When will I see you again?” Key Takeaways:Focus on the Big Three: Grow taproom sales by increasing traffic, average guest spend, and visit frequency.Look beyond social media: Private events, email, text, your website, in-taproom promotion, and even old-school grassroots marketing can all help drive traffic. Train your staff around one simple, measurable behavior: Asking about food, another beer, to-go beer, loyalty programs, or the guest's next visit can increase sales without requiring more traffic. Turn ideas into action: Use an Impact/Effort Matrix to prioritize opportunities, choose one initiative, establish a measurement, set a deadline, and test whether it actually works. Join the conversation at Taproom Success.com!

The 3 Drivers of Taproom Sales Growth

Taproom owners are tired of chasing shiny objects. In this episode, we review the most popular Secret Hopper blogs of 2025 to reveal what operators are really paying attention to — from hospitality and upselling to smarter use of data. Then we break down the key questions owners should be asking themselves and the highest-impact actions they can take to create more profitable, predictable taproom performance in 2026.Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

Taproom owners are tired of chasing shiny objects. In this episode, we review the most popular Secret Hopper blogs of 2025 to reveal what operators are really paying attention to — from hospitality and upselling to smarter use of data. Then we break down the key questions owners should be asking themselves and the highest-impact actions they can take to create more profitable, predictable taproom performance in 2026. Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

The Taproom Trends That Actually Mattered in 2025

It's the New Year, time to set goals for your taproom business. In today's episode we dive deep into goal setting fundamentals, frameworks and tactics to make those New Years' Resolutions stick!
Taproom Goal Setting Basics
<ol>
 <li>Start with a year-end review</li>
 <li>Get the goals in writing</li>
 <li>Get the on the calendar (if you don't schedule it, it won't happen)</li>
 <li>Learn how to identify the most important goals</li>
 <li>Use outcome goals (what you want to achieve) in tandem with process goals (what you need to DO in order to hit the goals)</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.taproomsuccess.com/blog/video-how-to-make-your-2022-new-year-s-resolutions-stick">Read the full Goal Setting Post here</a>

It's the New Year, time to set goals for your taproom business. In today's episode we dive deep into goal setting fundamentals, frameworks and tactics to make those New Years' Resolutions stick! Taproom Goal Setting Basics Start with a year-end review Get the goals in writing Get the on the calendar (if you don't schedule it, it won't happen) Learn how to identify the most important goals Use outcome goals (what you want to achieve) in tandem with process goals (what you need to DO in order to hit the goals) Read the full Goal Setting Post here

It's the New Year, time to set goals for your taproom business. In today's episode we dive deep into goal setting fundamentals, frameworks and tactics to make those New Years' Resolutions stick!
Taproom Goal Setting Basics
<ol>
 <li>Start with a year-end review</li>
 <li>Get the goals in writing</li>
 <li>Get the on the calendar (if you don't schedule it, it won't happen)</li>
 <li>Learn how to identify the most important goals</li>
 <li>Use outcome goals (what you want to achieve) in tandem with process goals (what you need to DO in order to hit the goals)</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.taproomsuccess.com/blog/video-how-to-make-your-2022-new-year-s-resolutions-stick" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the full Goal Setting Post here</a>

2023 Taproom Goal Setting

In today's episode we'll walk through the steps to build your taproom sales plan for the new year. We'll dig in on best practices to build your sales model, tactics to get started (and finished with your plan), and how to put the plan into action to achieve success in your taproom.
Topics Covered
<ul>
 <li>How (and why) to involve your taproom team in the planning process</li>
 <li>Tips to get started on your sales plan</li>
 <li>How to overcome common planning challenges </li>
 <li><a href="https://taproomsuccess.mykajabi.com/taproom-sales-forecast-template">Use this taproom sales plan model</a></li>
</ul>

In today's episode we'll walk through the steps to build your taproom sales plan for the new year. We'll dig in on best practices to build your sales model, tactics to get started (and finished with your plan), and how to put the plan into action to achieve success in your taproom. Topics Covered How (and why) to involve your taproom team in the planning process Tips to get started on your sales plan How to overcome common planning challenges Use this taproom sales plan model

In today's episode we'll walk through the steps to build your taproom sales plan for the new year. We'll dig in on best practices to build your sales model, tactics to get started (and finished with your plan), and how to put the plan into action to achieve success in your taproom.
Topics Covered
<ul>
 <li>How (and why) to involve your taproom team in the planning process</li>
 <li>Tips to get started on your sales plan</li>
 <li>How to overcome common planning challenges&nbsp;</li>
 <li><a href="https://taproomsuccess.mykajabi.com/taproom-sales-forecast-template" rel="noopener noreferrer">Use this taproom sales plan model</a></li>
</ul>

How to Build a Taproom Sales Plan

In today's episode, we explore tips and strategies to provide great service to guests in your taproom. Andrew Coplon provides a run-down of the "30 Second Conversation" system, which is outlined below:
<ol>
 <li>Welcome your guest to the taproom</li>
 <li>Engage, ask questions, and offer friendly conversation</li>
 <li>Guide your customer and offer direction on beer choices</li>
 <li>Let your guest know what they are drinking when you bring their beer</li>
 <li>Leave the guest feeling appreciated - thank you for coming!</li>
</ol>

In today's episode, we explore tips and strategies to provide great service to guests in your taproom. Andrew Coplon provides a run-down of the "30 Second Conversation" system, which is outlined below: Welcome your guest to the taproom Engage, ask questions, and offer friendly conversation Guide your customer and offer direction on beer choices Let your guest know what they are drinking when you bring their beer Leave the guest feeling appreciated - thank you for coming!

Best Practices: Taproom Customer Service

Welcome to Taproom Success, the only podcast dedicated to providing you with All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Taproom Business. 
The taproom success podcast will provide you with the data, resources, and support you need to manage and grow your taproom business. 
Each episode of the podcast will help you achieve taproom success in the areas of marketing, food service, finances, e-commerce, software systems, business strategy and more!

Welcome to Taproom Success, the only podcast dedicated to providing you with All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Taproom Business. The taproom success podcast will provide you with the data, resources, and support you need to manage and grow your taproom business. Each episode of the podcast will help you achieve taproom success in the areas of marketing, food service, finances, e-commerce, software systems, business strategy and more!

Welcome to Taproom Success, the only podcast dedicated to providing you with All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Taproom Business.&nbsp;
The taproom success podcast will provide you with the data, resources, and support you need to manage and grow your taproom business.&nbsp;
Each episode of the podcast will help you achieve taproom success in the areas of marketing, food service, finances, e-commerce, software systems, business strategy and more!

Intro to Taproom Success

Taproom Success is the only podcast dedicated to providing brewery owners and operators with all the tools needed to run a successful brewery taproom business. Each episode will provide tips and strategies to achieve taproom success in the areas of marketing, food service, finances, e-commerce, software systems, business strategy and more.

Share Taproom Success

Sign up to save your podcasts

Taproom Success

Taproom Success episodes

About Taproom Success

More shows like Taproom Success

The Brewing Network Presents | Brew Strong

The Brülosophy Podcast

Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Craft Beer Professionals

The True Craft Podcast

Beer Branding Trends