The True Craft Podcast

Pull up a chair as we sit down with Melissa Walter, co-founder of Love City Brewing in Philadelphia, PA, to chat about employee wellness, inclusivity, and how to create a culture of care. While employee well-being isn’t always the first priority in running a brewery, Melissa made it the cornerstone of Love City Brewing—and in this episode, we chat about how she’s done it.

Highlights include:

• From non-alcoholic and mocktail comp drink offerings to virtual mental health support, hear Love City's unique take on wellness for their team
• The secret behind Love City’s low turnover and how leading with empathy—challenges and all—pays off
• Practical tips for brewery owners to prioritize their own mental health and well-being

With her experience as a licensed therapist, Melissa brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to team care that’s truly one-of-a-kind. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Links

Healthiest You

Love City Brewing Website
Love City Brewing Instagram
Love City Facebook
Love City Threads

Book a discovery call
Subscribe for more insight

On today’s episode of The True Craft Podcast, we’re catching up with Michael Memsic, Co-Founder & CEO of Sanitas Brewing, to give some straight talk about what the heck is happening in craft. We cover a lot of ground from modern expansion strategies, owner and leadership alignment, and the surprising topic of...tapping out of the craft scene?

Highlights include:

• How breweries are becoming vibrant community hubs with unique food and morning coffee, becoming the ultimate “third place”
• The evolving craft beer scene and why the next big wave might not hinge on Gen Z
• Unique opportunities popping up as breweries close their doors

Michael believes that the craft industry is deeply “lifestyle driven,” which makes it both rewarding and challenging. However, fostering connections and sharing experiences with those in your circle makes all the difference. That’s exactly what we’re all about on The True Craft Podcast. Enjoy this insightful chat!

Links
Sanitas Brewing Company Website
Sanitas Brewing Company Instagram

Book a discovery call
Subscribe for more insights

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we’re hanging out with Mike Walters, Co-Founder of Cocoon Brewing out of De Pere, WI. In 2023, at a time when craft beer was anything but predictable, Cocoon Brewing boldly opened their 7,000 sq ft space—proving that when the going gets tough, the tough get brewing.

Highlights include:

1. How to dish out a killer food program from a cozy 400 sq ft kitchen (yes, size matters... but not in the way you think).
2. Juggling the "trifecta" of private events, brewery-hosted bashes, and weekly programming like a pro.
3. How diversifying with draft, to-go beer, and merch sales keeps the cash flowing and customers coming back.

Opening a brewery takes a village, but doing it in 2023? That requires a whole city of support. Mike spills all the tea (or beer) on Cocoon Brewing's wild ride, packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Cocoon Brewing Website
Cocoon Brewing Instagram

Subscribe for more insight
Book a discovery call

On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we have a chat with Austin Corrigan, the founder of High Seas Mead and Single Fin Cider out of Santa Barbara, CA. Austin shares his fascinating journey from the culinary world to fermenting meads and ciders as a one-man operation.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The challenge (and reward!) of being 100% self-distributed within a 100-mile radius, managing over 300 accounts
• The unique journey of Austin and his wife, who handle every aspect of production, distribution, and sales, setting their operation apart
• The booming growth and modern interpretations of the mead and cider categories, and the opportunities they present for brewers in their taprooms

With a dedication to natural production methods and a hands-on approach to every aspect of his business, Austin brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to learn more about mead and cider, as well as a taking a glimpse into its bright future as a craft beverage of choice!

Links

High Seas Mead Website
High Seas Mead Instagram
Single Fin Instagram

Subscribe for more insights
Book a discovery call

On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Wibby, the co-founder and brewmaster of Wibby Brewing in Longmont, CO. Ryan chats the exciting world of lagers, sharing the story behind his brewery’s recent recognition as 2023 GABF Brewery of the Year, and giving us a peek into their distribution expansion plans.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The massive impact that can come with focusing on a single style without ever compromising quality
• How winning the 2023 Great American Beer Festival Brewery of the Year is opening doors and what other brewers can learn from this success
• Wibby Brewing’s unique distribution strategy, expanding into “beer deserts” and potentially exploring untapped Asian markets

With more than a decade of brewing expertise, Ryan brings a treasure trove of knowledge and a fresh outlook. Tune in for a vibrant conversation brimming with lager love, ambitious expansion plans, and the innovative spirit that sets Wibby Brewing apart.

Links

Wibby Brewing

Subscribe for more insight
Book a discovery call

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast we welcome Erik Fowler, Executive Director of the San Diego Brewers Guild. Join us for a jam-packed discussion on the financial landscape of craft breweries in 2024.

Highlights include:

1. Erik shares his philosophy of "Beer is the what, not the why" in today's craft market, emphasizing that while breweries start with a passion for brewing, this can't be their sole driving force anymore
2. Practical insights on managing excess capacity 
3. The benefits of focusing your styles in distribution and how this can impact your sales reps, distributor relations, and overall business health

Erik underscores the importance of having a clear intention behind what you sell, why you sell it, and how you sell it. This, combined with the passion that originally inspired brewers to even open their doors, is the key to thriving in the next chapter of the craft beer industry. This episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!

Links

San Diego Brewers Guild
San Diego Craft Beer Conference

Subscribe for more insight
Book a discovery call

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we chat with Grace Robbings, Co-Founder, and Larry Rock, Sales Representative, of Reuben’s Brews in Seattle! We shine a light on their work with the Mosaic State Brewers Collective, a mentorship program empowering underrepresented people to build careers in the craft beer industry.

A few highlights include:

• Hear how the craft beer landscape has changed through the eyes of Larry, a veteran in the industry since the mid-1980s!
• Learn about the Collective’s educational programming that includes three levels of training opportunities, designed to develop diverse leaders in craft
• Discover the ins-and-outs of the Collective’s first-year "brewing school," where mentees followed a beer's full lifecycle from brewing to marketing.

Grace and Larry’s passion and experience make this an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss!

Links:
Mosaic State Brewers Collective - Website
Reuben’s Brews - Website
Métier Brewing Company - Website
Ombili IPA

In this episode, we sit down with Teo Hunter, co-founder of Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., a pioneering Black-owned craft brewery championing diversity, inclusion, and (emphasis on the) equity in the craft beer industry.

Some of what we cover:

1. Find out why operating on an island in 2024 could be hurting your business and why leaning on and uplifting other craft businesses is the way forward.
2. The creation of the National Black Brewers Association and its mission to elevate the Black brewing community.
3. Suggestions on how breweries can genuinely embrace inclusivity without feeling like they are compromising their brewery’s identity.

Teo’s dedication to the craft industry is truly inspiring, and his decades of experience offer valuable insights you won't want to miss!

Crowns and Hops - Website
Crowns and Hops - Instagram
National Black Brewers Association

Subscribe for more insight
Book a discovery call

In this episode, we chat with Chris Cesnek and Brandon Monroe, the creative co-founders of Paperback Brewing Company. Their brewery’s edgy, 80s and 90s pop culture-inspired design has captivated Los Angeles locals, creating a truly memorable brand experience.

A few topics we cover in this episode:

1. How storytelling shapes a brewery’s brand identity.
2. Strategies to tackle “release fatigue” for a consistent and sustainable marketing plan.
3. Tips on refreshing or rebranding your brewery.

With backgrounds in advertising, Chris and Brandon share a wealth of branding insights. Whether you're looking to reinvent your brand or stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with valuable advice. Don’t miss it!

Links:

Paperback Brewing Company - Website
Paperback Brewing Company - Instagram

Subscribe for more insights
Book a discovery call

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we delve into the world of brewery financial management with Kary Shumway,creator of Beer Business Finance. Drawing upon his decades of experience, we chat about topics for brewery owners striving to excel in today's industry, such as:

1. How to (actually) manage cash flow and why relying solely on gut feeling to make decisions isn’t cutting it
2. When contract brewing makes sense and when it doesn’t
3. Where to invest just 10 minutes of daily learning to make a big difference over time in understanding your brewery’s finances

As Kary points out, the notion that "accounting and financial literacy are best left to others" is an outdated mindset. It's time to take ownership, and Kary provides a unique viewpoint on where to get started.

Beer Business Finance Website: https://www.bbfassociation.org
Craft Brewery Financial Training Website: https://craftbreweryfinance.com

Subscribe for more insight: https://sbstandard.com/insights
Book a Discovery Call: https://sbstandard.com/contact