The Beer Mighty Things Podcast

In this episode, I'm chatting with the one and only Brian Winkeler of Robot House, a creative agency in Oklahoma City who’s done a ton of great branding work in the craft beverage space. We discussed workout routines, beer consumption habits and provide insights into the evolution of Robot House, from its humble beginnings to its current team of six, and elaborate on the company's branding philosophy. Brian shares the backstory of naming his company "Robot House," which was inspired by the show Futurama. We dove into the comprehensive branding process, emphasizing the need for client participation and thorough research. We also talk about the emotional aspect of rebranding, the importance of maintaining customer loyalty, and the timeline for the upcoming brand refresh launch. Oh, and we hit on AI vs Graphic Designers. Enjoy! Follow Robot House on IG @robothouseokc WEB: robot.house (what a great site URL!) #branding #robothouse #graphicdesign

We're breaking down the Spirits world with OJ Lima, founder of Taste, Select, Repeat & Kinfolk Spirits! We're diving into spirits trends for 2024 as well as non-alcoholic spirits, being a Spirits Judge and the American & Japanese Whiskey markets. OJ let's us know what it means to "Date the Nose & Marry the Palate" From "picking" single barrels to sipping Eagle Rare 25,  we're having some fun in this one, and you will too. Want more?  Follow OJ @neatrockscocktail and Pierre at @leastihavewhisky and check out the store @tasteselectrepeat https://tasteselectrepeat.com/  #tasteselectrepeat on LinkedIn also - #americanwhiskey #whiskey #spiritstrends #japanesewhiskey #eaglerare #eaglerare25

It's time for #CBC2024 in Las Vegas and what better way to get a lay of the land than to connect with Skip and Joe from HUDL Brewing. The fellas share their experiences of learning brewing, creating popular beer recipes, and the importance of meeting consumer preferences. We also discussed the upcoming craft beer events in Las Vegas (including our Welcome Party with CBP, Arryved and Able Baker Brewing). The team conveyed their enthusiasm and pride in their preparations for HUDL week, aiming to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for all attendees. We hit on the Art District and Old Vegas and all the good things we're about to experience at CBC 2024! Thanks HUDL! See you soon! #beermightythings #hudlbrewing #cbcvegas

After thoroughly enjoying a number of delicious beers from this brewery, I had to connect with Steve Parker, Co-Founder & Head Brewer of Fidens Brewing Company (Albany, NY) We jump into Steve's love of beer and taking the leap from Phys-Ed teacher to professional brewer and business owner. Due to the pandemic, their business plan had to shift from taproom to a to-go model, and that created an unexpected surge in demand. We discuss the challenges of managing the taproom, and expanding at the right time and pace. The demand was so great, so quickly, that customers were sleeping in the parking lot! We discuss inspirations, such as Tree House, Trillium, Bissell Brothers, and Other Half and we also hit on the the evolving trends in the beer industry, including the growing popularity of lower alcohol options and the exploration of new hop varieties. Steve emphasized the significance of finding the right staff and prioritizing quality over quantity, highlighting the impact on sales and customer satisfaction. Lots of great tidbits in this one, enjoy! #fidensbrewing #beermightythings #hazyipa

I had to repost! This was a fun conversation from St. Patrick's Day 2022 with the team at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore MD. I have since visited and was welcomed with open arms. In this episode, we're talking with the National Brand Ambassador, Ryan Wagner and Head Brewer of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore Maryland, Sean Brennan. First things first, we pronounce “Sláinte” properly and what it actually means.  We discuss the history of the Nitro Pour, a 9,000 year lease (!) and the Guinness Book of World Records.  The more you know! We dive into the plethora of breweries Guinness has that you didn't know about, including Open Gate in MD, their 1,000,000 visitor(!) and all of the 20+ other beers you were unaware of.  Oh, and they have a new brewery in Chicago, IL! Happy St. Patty's Day and, well, Slainte! https://www.guinnessbrewerybaltimore.com/ #guinness #guinnessstout #beermightythings

2024 will require beverage companies to become better in many ways. So, today we're talking about "Core Values" with Chad Kimmel of Grand Illusion Hard Cider in Carlisle, PA. We hit on a range of topics, including the significance of core values in business and the importance of investing in employee wellness. We also discussed creating unique and exceptional experiences for customers, fostering a supportive and appreciative culture, and analyzing turnover rates and employee happiness within the organization. Additionally, Chad shared entertaining anecdotes about customer experiences and discussed various rewards and incentives provided to staff. We hope you enjoy and share with your staff! #beermightythings #grandillusionhardcider #corevalues

2024 will be the year of creating value for your consumer. I'm joined by author and friend Joshua M. Bernstein. "As the brewing industry navigates another 12 months of spirited competition and capricious consumer behavior, here's what's in store: 1) Taprooms will put a premium on hospitality on service. 2) Breweries will get more creative with events. The days of one-size-fits-all festivals are over. 3) Zero-carbonation alcoholic beverages will pop up, buoyed by the rise of hard tea. 4) Increased brewery consolidation will help breweries save costs by sharing resources. 5) Brand values will become selling points as important as the beer. 6) Nonalcoholic options will increase in number and scope, from THC seltzers to NA versions of boozy products—hello, White Claw 0% Alcohol." Follow @joshmbernstein on IG #beermightythings

Kicking off Season 5 with a quick hello and a THANK YOU. It’s going to be a great year for you, your business, and this podcast. We appreciate our listeners and look forward to continuing to deliver great value in 2024. Cheers.

In this episode, I connect with Devin Smith, Co-Owner and Brewer at Clarion River Brewing in Clarion, PA. We discuss the brewery briefly but we're really digging into her journey to become a brewer. She's currently enrolling in Brewing and Fermentation Science classes at Penn College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. They're being taught by Tim Yarrington of Elk Creek Cafe and Michael Lewis of UC Davis. Devin lets us into the curriculum, the lab and the pilot system. Follow along at @penncollegebrewing and take a look at the courses here: https://www.pct.edu/academics/bas/brewing-fermentation-science/brewing-fermentation-science You can find Devin at @thefitbeerwitch and go visit @ClarionRiverBrew

With the increase in retail theft, specifically Spirits Wholesalers and Manufacturers, we're featuring women-owned business Valentis Group. We're speaking with Director of Planning & Project Advancement, Steve Sutch along with Head of Marketing Sales & Strategy, Martha Hunter. We break down two thefts that each exceeded $1,000,000 recently, and the importance of proper training and appearance for security guards, as well as the need for a comprehensive security plan to mitigate risk. We talk prevention, culture and the importance of being proactive and staying ahead of evolving threats in the security industry. Visit www.valentisinc.com to learn more! Cheers and #beermightythings Thanks for listening!

Today's episode is the Audio version of my Craft Beer Professionals Fall Virtual Conference presentation from October 17, 2023 about "Effectively Communicating Your Guidelines for Kids in Breweries" There are many takeaways here that you'll be able to implement immediately at your breweries. Appreciate you and thanks for listening! Cheers, Kyle #beermightythings #kidsinbreweries #dogsinbreweries

In this episode, I chat with longtime friend & mentor Patrick Freer to discuss the challenges of starting a brewery and the emotions of running and selling that same brewery. We discuss securing funding, purchasing equipment, navigating regulations, and managing multiple locations. Patrick shared his experience of managing a brewery and the importance of delegating responsibilities, trusting others, and experimenting with new ideas. We also talked about the challenges of running a brewery with a kitchen, including unreliable food trucks and the impact of a restaurant on the manufacturing side. Patrick reflected on the emotional toll of selling the business and the importance of empathy for restaurant owners. They discussed the lessons they learned from their brewery production facility, including the importance of material handling and focusing on food when running a taproom. Feel free to reach out to patrick@stricklersinsurance.com to get in touch! #beermightythings #startingabrewery #sellingabrewery

We're diving into the questions you should be thinking about when hosting any size event and I cover the best practices to implement. For the Checklist and Best Practices documents, email me at kyle@craftbrewinginsurance.com Don't forget about the Craft Beer Professionals Virtual Conference - Tune in live October 16-18, 2023. All sessions are 100%, accessible to all, and available forever. #beermightythings #oktoberfest #eventsafety #craftbeerprofessionals

We met in Milwaukee while waiting for our Ubers.  We continued the conversation via Zoom.  Here it is. From a Wastewater and Environmental Services background, Jamie Schild had an “AHA” moment when the COVID19 pandemic hit. It was time to leave wastewater and get involved with carbonated water mixed with hops and malt and launch A-Bay Engineers. Jamie and I talk about the importance of energy efficiency,and the impact of phantom power on energy usage. Additionally, we explored the intricacies of analyzing brewery profitability and the importance of implementing scorecards and business intelligence tools to help identify expenses that are out of line and standardize procedures.  Jamie and I also discussed the importance of building a strong company culture and how it can be achieved through initiatives that continually improve, such as building psychological safety with teams and being vulnerable. We emphasized the importance of creating a safe place to share and communicate, and being okay with something being wrong in order to fix it.   Finally, we discussed the importance of improving sustainability in craft breweries and explored various strategies to achieve this goal, such as conducting surveys and using scorecards to track progress, as well as offering fractional sustainability positions to help breweries achieve their goals. We hit slightly on Google Data Studio / Looker Studio.   Throughout the meeting, we share personal experiences, recommendations, and insights into our reading habits, personal interests, and companies that inspire us. The conversation highlighted the importance of continuous learning and personal growth, as well as the value of finding inspiration in the world around us. Enjoy! Visit www.a-bay.co/ and connect on IG: @a_bay_engineers

Tyler Montgomery, Founder of Brewer Magazine and Abettor Brewing Company drops in to discuss the the rise of craft beer in Kentucky and Tyler shares how he started Brewer Magazine as a side project and how it eventually grew into a full-time pursuit. The magazine's mission is to focus on the business of craft brewing and empower business owners by featuring long-form journalism with successful business owners in the industry. We also talked about the toll that entrepreneurship can take on mental health and offered strategies for coping. Tyler also shares how he got the idea to open a brewery in his hometown of Winchester, Kentucky. We discuss the growth of the brewery, starting with a small location in 2017 and expanding to a larger warehouse in 2020. Tyler also discussed how they built a following for their brewery before even launching by involving the community in the journey through social media and giveaways. They focused on building a comfortable and accepting space for everyone in the community to gather.Kyle and Tyler also discussed the advantages and challenges of self-distribution for breweries, including increased cash flow and the ability to diversify. We also dive into ourlove for outdoor activities and specifically discussed the exciting options available in Red River Gorge, including underground kayaking. Follow along at @theBrewerMag and @abettorbrewingcompany #brewermag #abettorbrewing #beermightythings

It’s that time again for the WIBS 23 and we’re welcoming in the Marketing Director of Womens Craft Fermentation Alliance (WCFA), Amanda Camp. Love beer? How about wine, sake, and cider? How about wild fermentations and beverages made from foraged ingredients? Then the 3rd annual WIBS 23: A Craft Fermentation Summit is for you. The Summit will be held virtually on October 21 & 22, 2023. The WIBS will feature speakers from all over the world, including a sake journalist and brewer from Japan, and will cover a range of fermentation topics, including beer, wine, cider, and more. The summit will also include special events on Friday evening, and all sessions will be recorded for attendees to access later. WIBS 23 will cover topics such as healthy relationships with alcohol, wild fermentation, and forage brewing. *Bonus* The summit will feature speakers from multiple continents, which will provide multiple points of view. Pre-registration is open and that the first 150 people to pre-register will receive a VIP swag box. Pre-Register here: https://wcfa.beer/prereg/ Reach out to amanda.wcfa@gmail.com for more info! #beermightythings #wibs23 #wcfa #womeninbeer

I'm visited by CMO Kirsten Kalsky and BizDev Manager Matt "Archie" Archibald of craft beverage software company Ohanafy to help you understand the North Carolina-based tech company. We dive into their origin story, problem-solving and how they blossomed out of the SalesForce universe to create something special for the brewing industry. North Carolina continues to grow into a mini Silicon Valley and there's many more exciting things coming to our industry. Enjoy! #ohanafy #tech #beermightythings #craftbeer

Today we’re welcoming in Diana Eberlein, the Chairperson/President of the Cannabis Beverage Association and the VP of Marketing for Sorse Technology. She's a "D.A.R.E. Baby" turned CannaCurious and we're about to find out why. We discuss how to work with Budtenders, the upcoming Cannabis Drinks Expo, the revolutionary state of Minnesota and demystifying Delta9. LinkedIn and follow her posts. Visit cannabisbeverageassociation.org - sorsetech.com and learn plenty at #PoweredbySorse #beermightythings #cannabisdrinksexpo #sorsetechnology

Popping in to drop some July 4th beer knowledge! Enjoy!

At my first brewery visit in Milwaukee, I stole a few minutes out of Jimmy Wheeler's day. He's a brewer at Good City Brewing and was gracious enough to have a beer with me and answer some questions. Enjoy! #beermightythings #goodcitybrewing #mkebeer