The True Craft Podcast

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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There is a nuanced game of risk-taking that all business owners must play in order to succeed; however, while there is no profit without risk, risk does not guarantee a profitable business.

Chris and Katy are joined on this episode of The True Craft Podcast by Sam Kazmer from Elsewhere Brewing to discuss the role of risk in running a successful business. 

Today we cover:

• The “spidey-sense that makes or breaks entrepreneurs”
• Uncovering novel ways to increase revenue in the brewing industry
• How mushrooms could be the next big thing in brewing sustainability
• What it actually looks like to open another location in 2023

Links:

Elsewhere Brewing - Website
Elsewhere Brewing - Instagram
Elsewhere Brewing - Instagram (Greenhouse Taproom)
Elsewhere Adventure Club - 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 [email protected]

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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:
[email protected]

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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:
[email protected]

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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: [email protected]

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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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When we started the true craft podcast, our goal was to continue our sharing of expert insight and knowledge of the craft industry, but in an audio format.

Over one year, four seasons, and fifty episodes later, we feel like we’ve accomplished that goal. In light of this realization, and with our focus shifting to other initiatives, we’ve decided this was the final season of The True Craft Podcast.

A big thank you goes out to our amazing co-host and guests. Of course, we want to thank YOU for coming along for the ride.

We have some links below to connect and continue the conversation.

Once again, we are incredibly grateful for your taking the time to listen to our podcast. We would like for this to act as an archive of audio knowledge, and we hope you will find it valuable.

Links:
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Producer Josh's LinkedIn
Producer Josh's email: [email protected]