Ken Grossman, founder & CEO of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., joins us to share how he built one of the largest breweries in America.

Questions answered in this episode:

How long does it take to go from concept to bottle when brewing a new beer?
How did you get started in brewing?
How did you make your own brewing equipment when you started?
How did you get funding when you first started?
What was the goal when you started?
What were the biggest keys to early growth?
Did you have steady growth or were there any particular events that caused a spike in growth?
What makes a good distribution partner in the brewing industry?
What advice do you have to somebody starting a craft brewery today?
How have you continued to grow as you have gotten bigger?
Why did you open the additional North Carolina brewery?
How did you maintain business knowledge without a business background?
What motivates you to grow and keeps you passionate since you've reached the top of the industry?
How has the Camp Fire impacted your company and what are you doing to help?

Last call:

What advice would you give to your 25-year-old self?
- Giving up is not an option. It will be the hardest thing you ever do but it will be worth it.
What additional advice would you give to an entrepreneur or somebody starting a brewery?
- Pick something you are passionate about and committed to.
What is a book/documentary/podcast you would recommend?
- A book about Ernest Shackleton
What is the best thing you spent money on in the last six months?
- A new tent and sleeping bag for his wife.
What's your favorite thing to drink?
- Celebration IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Enjoyed this episode? We both recommend touring the new Sierra Nevada brewery in Mills River, North Carolina. Also, be sure to pick up a 6 pack of Celebration IPA. Have any topics you want to be covered or amazing people you'd like us to interview? Let us know! You can email us at info@drunkenmoney.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin. Please be sure to subscribe to our weekly mailing list at drunkenmoney.com/subscribe.