Podcast
Craft Beer Professionals
Hosted by Craft Beer Professionals · EN
Craft Beer Professionals is a national network dedicated to the growth and betterment of the craft beer industry. CBP unifies and elevates the industry through educational content, peer to peer dialogue, and unique community events.
Educational sessions, interviews, and panel conversations that dive into critical topics in the craft beer industry.
[Stay up to date with CBP]
www.CraftBeerProfessionals.org
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
No More Slow Nights! How to bring 26 guests back to your taproom in 34 seconds…
2w ago00:46:41Tap to summarizeLast month, breweries added 26.3 taproom visits for every push message they sent. 332 breweries have launched their own app in the past two years. And we're spilling the beans on the best kept secret in beer.In this session, we will break down exactly what goes into a successful brewery app, including best practices and real world examples on how to:-Build your Audience-Boost Taproom Traffic-Grow Membership RevenueThis session is a must for Brewery Owners, Marketers and GMs! All attendees will receive a free copy of the Brewery App Bible including simple marketing checklists you can follow based on the goals you have for your taproom. Ring the bell! Class is in session!Ross Stensrud accidentally graduated from UCSD while studying lacrosse and spending plenty of time at O’Brien’s. After a brief stint designing pool cleaners (yes, really) in an effort to justify the cost of his degree, he pivoted and began recruiting smart friends to help build app marketing tech for local businesses—starting with music, then golf, and now craft beer with TapWyse. He lives in Carlsbad with his wife Laurel and their two boys, Roscoe (11) and Mason (9). When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him biking down PCH or shuttling his kids to basketball, golf, music, and skateboarding.Join us in person for CBP Connects TampaDecember 7-9, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →Using Data to Brew More Beer
3w ago00:50:57Tap to summarizeData is truly The 5th Ingredient in your beer. Yet too often, it’s treated as an afterthought. In a tightening market where cash is scarce, maximizing efficiency in your brewhouse has never been more critical.In this seminar, Aaron MJ Gore explores how to leverage the data you already have to get more beer out of every batch. By turning insight into action, you’ll learn practical ways to reduce waste, improve yields, and ultimately save both time and money.With more than a decade of sales, retail management, and business analytic experience in the craft beverage industry, Aaron MJ Gore loves the opportunities that he has every day to make a difference for small business owners across the country. He is the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Beer30, one of the drinks industry's leading software providers, is a co-founder of the Court Shoes Only charitable collaboration beer, and serves as the Vice-President of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame. He is an Advanced Cicerone, Certified Pommelier, Certified Cheese Scholar, WSET Level 2 Spirits Certified, and is (AF)(NA) Beer Certified. Additionally, he is an active industry advocate, public speaker, beer and cider educator, and the father of two daughters who are the true passion of his life.Join us in person for CBP Connects TampaDecember 7-9, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →Using Nutrients, Enzymes, and Yeast to Improve Beer Quality and Brewhouse Efficiency
4w ago00:42:15Tap to summarizeBrewing beer is easy. Four simple ingredients, and a process so straightforward that the earliest beers were brewed by accident when wet grains started to germinate and ferment. But brewing consistently high-quality beer is a different challenge, and the modern brewing process extends far beyond the simple equation of beer = water + malt + hops + yeast. Differentiating your product in a competitive market is a challenge that all brewers face. Doing all of this on a tight budget is a major challenge for many brewers today. While costs can be cut to an extent by purchasing cheaper ingredients, this comes at the risk of reducing product quality, consistency, or flavor.Through careful optimization of each step of the brewing process, you can improve yields and efficiency, allowing you to continue to use the high-quality ingredients that define your brand. In this presentation, you will discover the full range of tools available in the Brewer’s Toolkit. Learn how to use nutrients, enzymes, process aids, flavor additions, specific yeast strains and inactive specific yeast products to improve beer quality and brewing efficiency.Eric Abbott has a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, a M.Sc. in Botany, and 20 years of experience in the beverage industry. Since 2017, Eric has brought experience as a brewer, R&D scientist, and technical sales manager to the Lallemand Brewing technical team. As the main point of contact for brewing technical support and troubleshooting, Eric is keenly aware of the challenges that brewers face everyday. In collaboration with the Lallemand Brewing innovation team, Eric works to develop new products and resources to help brewers to improve product quality and increase brewing efficiency. Eric is a father of three daughters in the Montreal area, and he enjoys kayaking on the Rivière de Milles Iles, when it is not frozen.Join us in person for CBP Connects TampaDecember 7-9, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →Beyond Trivia Night: Creating Taproom Events that Actually Drive Engagement
Jul 1500:38:16Tap to summarizeIn a beer industry facing rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and increased competition for attention, taproom events can no longer exist just to “fill a Monday night.” This talk is for craft brewery owners, managers, and staff who want their events to drive real engagement and revenue, not fade into the background.We’ll start by looking at how today’s economic realities are impacting foot traffic and guest behavior, followed by an honest assessment of common go-to events like trivia, open mics, and live music, and why they often struggle to differentiate or deliver meaningful returns.From there, we’ll explore real-world examples of creative, purpose-driven taproom events that actually stand out, including hyper-local collaborations, experiential programming, and events rooted in storytelling, education, and community. You’ll walk away with practical frameworks for evaluating ideas and building events that are scalable, repeatable, and aligned with your brand.We’ll wrap with an interactive discussion focused on your challenges and how to turn inspiration into next steps.Chris came to the world of craft beer after spending nearly 2 decades in corporate sales management and training. Since making the leap, he has combined that rich experience with a genuine love for this industry. After spending years in General Manager positions for multiple craft breweries, Chris built and opened Nine Spot Brewing in 2022. He currently hosts a popular NY State craft-focused social media channel called the New York Minute, in which he travels the state to find unique stories, and heads a consulting organization called Horse 2 Water that focuses on affordable, actionable plans for successful taproom management.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.org/Join us in person for CBP Connects TampaDecember 7-9, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →Your Story Matters: Preserve It, Share It, Use It
Jul 800:31:22Tap to summarizeThink about your brewery’s story — not the polished version on your website, but the real one. The batch that went sideways at 2 AM. The regular who talked you off a ledge during COVID. The moment you knew this crazy idea might actually work. Those stories? They’re probably still just living in someone’s head.And here’s the thing: memories fade. People move on. If we don’t capture these moments, they disappear — and with them, pieces of what makes your brewery special.I want to show you how to preserve your story in ways that actually feel doable. We’ll talk about sitting down with your founder or longtime bartender and just listening. Digging through old photos and tap lists. Figuring out which moments matter most before they slip away. And then — this is the important part — how to organize it all so it’s not just shoved in a box somewhere.Because your history isn’t just sentimental. Breweries that know their story build stronger brands. Staff who understand where you came from stick around longer. Customers feel the difference when there’s real depth behind what you’re pouring.Whether you’ve been open six months or sixteen years, you have a story worth telling. This session will give you the prompts, the simple tools, and the encouragement to start capturing it now — then actually use it to strengthen your team, your brand, and your connection to the people who keep coming back.Let’s make sure your story doesn’t get lost.Tim is a career storyteller: first as a broadcast journalist and news anchor in Seattle and Portland, then as founder of Coin Toss Brewing in Oregon City. After nearly a decade of building a brewery rooted deeply in local history, Tim sold the business in 2024. Today, through The Narrative Studio, he helps breweries, nonprofits, & businesses preserve their origin stories through oral histories, narrative documentation, and creative storytelling. He is also a contributor to the Oregon Hops & Brewing Archives at Oregon State University.Join us in person for CBP Connects TampaDecember 7-9, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →Your Ideal Brewery Distribution Partner: How to Identify a Great Fit
Jul 100:56:10Tap to summarizeConsidering distribution? In the market for a distributor in a new territory? Or maybe simply trying to figure out what’s missing in your current distribution equation?Join us to discuss both the most important traits of a great distribution partner and some warning signs to watch out for when you’re shopping & interviewing. Plus, learn more about evaluating portfolios, market position, sales teams, & personality to determine whether a terrific distributor is really the right fit for you & your brand.Your discussion panel includes:Chris Black (Founder & King of the iconic Falling Rock Tap House in Denver, CO) Bill Wetmore (Sales & Marketing Director and Head of Beer Strategery for Fat Head’s Brewery)John Anthony (Sales & Distribution Manager for Goat Patch Brewing Co. & Pike’s Peak Brewing Co.)Moderator: Laura Lodge (Author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer, Co-Founder of Start A Brewery, and Owner/ Strategic Business Consultant at Customized Craft Beer Programs)
Transcribe →Profitable Taproom Tactics
Jun 2400:34:52Tap to summarizeDespite their best efforts, most Owners, GMs, and Taproom Managers leave money on the table because their taprooms operate below their true potential. In this session, we break down 12 proven tactics the most profitable taprooms use to generate 2x-5x more profit than their peers.We’ll walk through the 4 pillars of successful taprooms, outlining specific tactics and performance benchmarks, drawn from our work with 285+ U.S. craft breweries over the past 15 years. These tactics span pricing, product, margin, labor, events, merchandise, marketing, management, training, and customer service. So whether you just opened a new location, or want to fine-tune a long-standing operation, you’ll walk away with actionable steps you can use to make your taproom a consistent profit generator for your brewery.Julia Grubbs, CPA is a Brewery Consultant with Small Batch Standard, who has also previously held positions in accounting, tax, and compliance over her 4 years with the agency. Originally from Kentucky, she’s about as far from a one-dimensional bean counter as you can get, as a professional dancer and CPA living in New York City. Her love for small businesses and the relationships they enable combined with her uncanny knowledge of numbers led her to advising the brewing industry, acting as a trusted, specialized advisor for SBS’ wide range of clients across the country. She has had the pleasure of presenting at a variety of craft brewery conferences around the nation in Georgia, New York, Iowa, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.
Transcribe →ESOP as a Succession Plan
Jun 1700:50:40Tap to summarizeAn ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) can be the right succession strategy for a craft brewer. This presentation will offer a detailed look at how an ESOP can enable an owner to receive fair value for transferring ownership while preserving the unique culture and legacy of the business even after the founder steps back. We will demystify the structure and legal aspects of an ESOP, making a complex process more approachable. Attendees will learn about the significant tax advantages both for selling owners and for a craft brewery after becoming ESOP-owned, and how an ESOP enables workers to become owners. The presentation will also provide practical guidance to assess whether an ESOP is feasible for a craft brewer.Alan is a partner in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation group at Husch Blackwell LLP.His practice encompasses the gamut of employee benefits law, with a particular focus on ESOP transactions and compliance.Many lawyers play golf. Instead, Alan plays squash and tennis, which provide him with a frequent reminder to keep his day job.
Transcribe →How AI and Technologies Can Drive Brewery Growth, Efficiency, & Strategic Advantage
Jun 1000:28:29Tap to summarizeThe craft beer industry is more competitive than ever. Rising costs, shifting consumer preferences, and complex supply chains require brewers to think beyond traditional methods of growth and efficiency. Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and smart automation are no longer reserved for big corporations – they are increasingly accessible to breweries of all sizes.This session will demystify these tools and show how craft breweries can practically apply them to improve operations, enhance customer engagement, and gain measurable return on investment (ROI). Understand key factors from a valuation perspective, where and how to expand and grow. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies and real-world examples of how AI can help with demand forecasting, quality control, inventory management, and even personalized marketing – unlocking new levels of competitiveness and sustainability in today’s crowded marketplace.Waqqas Mahmood is a senior director at CBIZ. He has been in the innovation space for almost two decades, helping organizations architect their digital future. Waqqas believes in creating a culture of innovation that nurtures new technologies and media that promote powerful and engaging solutions. He has a strong background in digital product management, human-centered design, and business transformation.Timothy Croushore has more than 39 years of valuation consulting experience. Prior to joining CBIZ, he held partner and managing director positions with “Big Four” and other national accounting and consulting firms in the valuation space. He has served in service-line leadership roles in various industries including sports, leisure and entertainment, restaurant and retail, consumer business, technology and private equity/hedge funds.Join us in person for CBP Connects ChicagoJune 15-17, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →Brewery Collaboration Structures: What Works & Why
Jun 300:40:46Tap to summarizeRecent years have seen dramatic growth in brewery collaboration structures ranging from simple contract brewing to regional platforms consolidating brands under shared infrastructure. These models offer craft breweries access to professional capabilities, competitive scale, and optimized capacity utilization while maintaining independence – but only if you choose the right structure for your specific challenges.This session examines the major collaboration models available to craft breweries and provides a practical framework for evaluating which approach fits your situation. Drawing on 30 years of practicing law and over two decades of direct operational experience running and restructuring businesses across the alcoholic beverage industry, we’ll discuss when collaboration makes sense and what makes them succeed.We’ll cover production partnerships (contract brewing and alternating proprietorship), shared infrastructure models (co-location facilities and cooperatives), ownership structures (platforms, joint ventures, and M&A), and industry alliances (purchasing cooperatives and distribution coordination). For each structure, you’ll understand how it works, when it makes sense, and what the regulatory and financial implications are.More importantly, you’ll leave with a decision framework addressing: capacity constraints and production solutions, overhead reduction without sacrificing brand control, when professional infrastructure justifies integration, regulatory compliance requirements across different structures, and exit strategy planning before problems arise.Whether you’re exploring your first collaboration or evaluating platform acquisition, this session provides the analytical tools to match structure to strategy and the context to set yourself up for success.Kevin McGee is a California-based attorney and a graduate of the Executive Program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. In addition to his extensive legal practice, he has served in executive roles across private equity, finance, and consumer brands, and has led companies through mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, aggressive growth and has advised on over $2.5b in transactions. His unique blend of legal and operational experience allows him to deliver practical, results-oriented counsel that combines legal precision with business pragmatism to arrive at solutions that empower his clients. Kevin works with companies at all stages of development, private equity firms, investment banks, family offices, and individual entrepreneurs.Join us in person for CBP Connects ChicagoJune 15-17, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/
Transcribe →