How NOT To Start A Damn Brewery: the podcast

Rachel Rappa didn’t make beer. She imagined into life what grew into a large-scale kombucha brewery on Long Island in New York.  But the similarities between what she experienced growing her fermented sweet tea business to the craft beer industry are startling. She dealt with distributors, retailers, employees, seasonality, limited access to growth capital and packaging issues, just like we do.  She started as an artistic homebrewer and ended up owning 20BBL tanks and brewing primarily core styles. That could be the origin story for 80% of the craft breweries in America.  As you’ll hear, I really wanted to ask her about the advantages of Direct To Consumer sales, which turned out not to be the savior so many craft brewers think it is.  What really struck me about Rachel’s story was her journey to personal redemption. In the 3rd segment we really dive into why she finally closed her dream and why she’s now experiencing a depth of happiness deeper than she’s ever known. Her advice earned from her experience should inspire everyone everywhere to linger a little longer in front of the mirror today. So sit back, listen in and let Rachel Rappa and the story of New York’s Coastal Craft Kombucha teach you how NOT to start a Damn brewery.  ⁠Coastal Craft Kombucha website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Coastal Craft Kombucha Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coastal Craft Kombucha Closing Announcement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

When Dennis Espinosa partnered with his mom to open Main and 6 in Jacksonville Florida he had the highest of hopes.  In 2017, like pretty much everyone in craft beer, he only saw victory ahead.  Most people would agree that he was set up for success. He started with award-winning beers, bought the building and hired an designer to make it special. He won more awards for his beer, actually a ton of them from 2019/2020.  In the brewery’s 5th year, he won the coveted GABF Brewery of the Year. And was closed down less than 10 months later.  There are a lot of reasons for why his brewery died. Some we’ve heard before but some will surprise you. So listen in as we share the story of Dennis Espinosa and Jacksonville’s Main and 6 Brewing Company so we can learn How NOT To Start a Damn Brewery. Main & 6 Brewing website⁠⁠ Main & 6 Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Main & 6 Brewing Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Main & 6 Brewing X⁠⁠ ⁠Main & 6 Brewing Closing Announcement⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

In 2023, the Australian Beer market was shocked by the announcement that a beloved brewery that had been awarded close to 40 medals for their beer was shutting down.  After 9 years blazing the path of Australia’s craft beer scene, Exit Brewing was planning to exit the brewing industry.  Around 2010, Grum & Frase had been inspired to start a brewery after spending time in Europe immersed in their beer culture. 4 years later they released their first beer, a saison. As their company grew, they expanded to an off-site taproom, followed by national and then international distribution.  But, like most of us, they couldn’t seem to find whatever rock profitability was hiding under. They tried rebrands, new beers, new partnerships. Frase left to get a real job.  I sat down with Grum to find out what happened, what went wrong and what the future of the Australian Craft Beer scene looks like. Hint: Grum exited it.  So open your minds and ears and listen to the story of Craig "Grum" Knight and Melbourne Australia’s Exit Brewing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exit Brewing website⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exit Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exit Brewing Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exit Brewing X⁠ Uitgang Bar website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exit Brewing Opening Announcement⁠⁠ Exit Brewing Closing Announcement⁠⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

When Jason and Heather decided to open their brewery in Indiana they, like most of us, decided to do it their way. They looked at what existed and targeted providing their community with something new.  Jason made beer styles that he respected in traditional ways. That meant lower abv beers with flavor and consistency. The couple decided to specialize in their food offerings and target an underserved demographic in their market. That meant building one of the only vegan breweries I’ve ever heard of.  While their niche within a niche might be smaller than the one you set out to fill, in a way, every craft brewery does exactly this. They look at what they perceive as the boring and stale market that currently exists and dream up something new and exciting that will attract customers and their credit cards.  Jason hit all the road blocks head-on and did so very publicly. After fighting against Covid, toxic masculinity and a suboptimal location, he and Heather finally lowered the curtain on Escape Velocity Brewing in the summer of 2023.    There’s a lot to learn here so open up and listen in. This is the story of Jason Behanna and Lafayette, Indiana’s late Escape Velocity Brewing.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Escape Velocity Brewing website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Escape Velocity Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Escape Velocity Brewing Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Escape Velocity Brewing X⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Escape Velocity Brewing Opening Announcement⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

When Doug Appeldoorn got the inspiration to open his brewery, he wasn’t just any old home brewer.  He and co-founder Pietro first started a brewing collective that hosted events to champion creativity, inclusivity and the homebrew community of Toronto, Canada.  They followed virtually every home brewer’s dream and found a permanent space to create a brewery with the dream of taking their homebrew community with them on their journey to go pro. They hosted events for them, maintained taps for their beer and sponsored their everts. All while trying to grow their own fledging craft beer brand.  After opening in 2018 it didn’t take long for the financial part of running a brewery to take it’s toll on Doug. While his story and the story or People’s Pint hits some of the same notes we’ve heard already, I can assure you that his is a unique perspective that I’m proud to have the opportunity to share with y’all.  So please, settle in and enjoy the story of Doug Appeldoorn and Toronto’s People’s Pint Brewing Company. ⁠⁠⁠ People's Pint Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠People's Pint Brewing Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠People's Pint Brewing X⁠⁠ ⁠GTA Brews Homebrew⁠⁠⁠ Club Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

That may have been the moment that solidified the future of Oregon’s Flat Tail Brewery.  But the story of success, failure, embezzlement, money laundering and rebirth on the timeline of Dave Marliave’s craft beer career has so much more to teach us.  So I sat down with Dave to discuss what he’s felt, what he’s learned and how you can protect yourself from thieving partners and monopolistic distributors.  While the public demise of Flat Tail still swings in the breeze as one of craft beer’s bloodiest white collar true crime cases, the rise of New Spring and Dave’s impressive technical achievements are an inspiring look at how we can all make this industry better.  And here is the story of Dave Marliave, the late Flat Tail Brewing and the new New Spring Brewing.  ⁠⁠ ⁠Flat Tail Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flat Tail Brewing Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠New School Beer article about the lawsuit⁠⁠⁠⁠ New Spring Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠New Spring Brewing Instagram⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

I think most of you would think that if I gave you 2300 shareholders that would invest 2.2 million dollars in your brewery that you could make it work.  If I said you could secure another 400 grand from a state loan and 600K the SBA that your 3.2 million dollars would give your brewery a runway to space travel.  And if I said you could go back in time to when there were only a few hundred US microbreweries you’d think I was crazy. Remember that with inflation, that’s like having 10 million dollars cash and you could still be the 3rd or 4th brewery in your state.  Well, back in the 90’s, Guy Hagner raised that money and Guy Wagner built that brewery. He opened with a world-class facility, a licensing deal for one of the best pilsners in the world and he closed 7 months later.  He’s never spoken publicly about the story of Franconia Brewing until now. The is a special interview that draws similarities to the current market and, if you’re paying attention, the business model of craft beer overall. And with that, I’ll get out of the way and let Guy share his story.  Where Guy's Brewing Now⁠ Franconia's Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Article about Franconia Closing⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

It’s important to me to dig deep and wide into the US craft beer scene. And while I plan to maintain at least 80% of my content domestically, we can’t solve the problems of the business of craft beer with a US based myopia.  So I’ve been searching the globe for stories of craft beer closures in other countries.  That’s how I found myself in Steve Dunkley’s orbit listening to his story and the story of Manchester’s Brewery Nouveaux.  Steve started small as Hell because in the UK you can open a brewery in your garage. You can bottle by hand and you can deliver your beer on a bike. And, apparently, on public transportation.  He created a brewery that researched and resurrected historic styles, incubated other breweries and opened an oasis for the weird.  And if he had it to do all over again, he’d stay in his garage.  Now, what does it say about the industry when the artistic, creative brewers that bring brains heart and soul to their craft and even they can’t make the business of beer work? Listen to the story of Steve Dunkley and Brewery Nouveaux and you tell me.  Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Hedgehog Brewing was founded by Jonathan Harris and his brother Chris in April 2019 just outside of Austin, TX.  After home brewing voraciously for years they’d honed their recipes, harvested their own yeast and set about making their unique mark on craft beer. They focused on fermenting beers with wild Hill Country yeast with a core of the business in farmhouse beers. They also did well with their IPA Jonathan echos the sentiment we hear a lot on this show: “Imagining recipes and brewing beer is rewarding, running a brewery fucking sucks.” Hedgehog pivoted repeatedly over the years. They started as distro-only and then opened a public taproom in 2021. They realized that their nano system couldn’t generate enough revenue so they started contract brewing select parts of their lineup off-site.  Please enjoy this story of Jonathan’s fight to find profitability at his brewery for 4 years before finally hitting the lights and shutting it down.  Hedgehog's Kickstarter Campaign Hedgehog's Twitter (X)⁠ Hedgehog's Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hedgehog's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Craft Beer Austin's article about Hedgehog Closing⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Zach Rabun opened Mockery Brewing in Denver’s ubiquitous RiNO district long before it was cool. Most of you know that it's now become one of the best-known beer destination in the states. After working at Coors and Denver area brewpubs, he set a concise theme for his brewery:  First, take a detailed, educated look at traditional beer styles and rules. And then make a Mockery of them.  This kind of contrarian thinking creates great art and great experiences for the consumer. But, as we hear on this show a lot, niches get stitches and there’s not an obvious pathway to profitability with this model.  Zach is about to walk us though his craft beer story. Where his inspiration came from and how it felt to finally let his brewery go after fighting for it for years. And he’ll hint at what might be next.  So plug in, zone out and get ready for the story of Denver’s late Mockery Brewing. ⁠Mockery Brewing Twitter (X) Mockery Brewing Facebook⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Mockery Brewing Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Westwood article about Mockery Brewing Closing⁠⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠⁠Where to get my Damn Book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Fractal Brewing Project opened in 2019 and closed in 2023 in Huntsville, Alabama. Maybe it isn't a song as old as time but the story is one we hear alot. There's this money guy who loves beer, befriends a brewer and gives that brewer a percentage of his new brewery. The money guy overbuilds his vanity project and creates a truly beautiful space with all the toys, the bells and even some whistles. But without the proper guards in place, the business itself flies off the rails and hurtles towards disaster after only a few years. Our interview with Bradley "Robo" Robison covers a lot of ground. From the struggles of craft beer in Huntsville specifically and Alabama overall to how to parry a punch from one of your bartenders. So sit back, listen in and take wat you can from the story of Robo and the Fractal Brewing Project. Beer Guys Radio with Robo on YouTube⁠ Fractal Brewing Project Facebook⁠⁠ Fractal Brewing Project Instagram⁠⁠ Reddit about Fractal Brewing Project Closing⁠⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠⁠Accubrew⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Brewery Direct⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Somnifix⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠⁠Where to get my book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Steven Henderson is a craft beer rockstar. He goes by the moniker Hendo and he’s one of the best-known personalities in the Australian craft beer industry. Well-loved and well-respected. And, from what I can tell, well-deserved. He started a contract, or gypsy, brewing brewery called Brewcult. He pushed the boundaries of what people in Australia considered craft beer. He won awards for great beer, expanded distribution and travelled the country living the life of a National beer celebrity.  And then the whole thing came crashing down, leaving a spectacular hole in the Australian craft beer scene. And, of course, a rough patch in Hendo’s personal life.  But this story ends with a win as we’ll hear in the 5th segment. Hendo has gone back to why he loved the industry in the first place. Selling beer was never his passion, it was making the best beer he could. As Australia’s rockstar brewer, it was only fitting that he would start the Rockstar Brewer Academy. Like me, he’s focused on making the industry better. Unlike me he’s focused on doing it by mentoring and coaching brewers all over the world to make better beer.  And now, here’s the emotional, inspiring story of Steve, “Hendo” Henderson” and Australia’s late BrewCult Brewing Company.  Reach out to Hendo RockStar Brewer YouTube ⁠BrewCult Facebook⁠ BrewCult Instagram⁠ BrewCult Twitter⁠ ⁠Story about BrewCult Closing⁠ Episode Sponsored by: ⁠Accubrew⁠ ⁠Brewery Direct⁠ ⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠ ⁠BrewBids⁠ ⁠Made To Measure Communications⁠ ⁠Somnifix⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠Where to get my book⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Hey guys, today I have a story for you that’s very special to me. Lost Abbey is a brewery out of San Diego that needs no introduction. Tomme and the team over there have inspired breweries all over the world to push beyond the ordinary and intentionally create new and exciting beers of circumstance. They were a fundamental part of what created my perception of the expectations I wanted my brewery to live up to and I know I’m not alone in that.  We’ve talked repeatedly on this show about how specialization is dead. Niches get stitches as I’ve started saying. 14% abv beers aged in multiple barrels for multiple years, obscure, even historical styles and yes, even mixed culture sour beers have been shrinking in popularity and, subsequently, profitability.  The Lost Abbey was one of the pioneers in the American speciality brewery category. So when I heard that they reduced their square footage, equipment and staff I knew that it was a story I needed to dig into and share with y’all.  Tomme was nice enough to sit with me for two hours, answer my probing questions and share what he’d found out the hard way. There is backstory, pain, business lessons, hope for the future and of course, insights into How NOT To Start A Damn Brewery.  Reach out to Tomme at Tomme@lostabbey.com Lost Abbey Website Lost Abbey Facebook Lost Abbey Instagram Lost Abbey Twitter Story about their growing down Episode Sponsored by: Accubrew Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Made To Measure Communications Somnifix (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

If you stab Michael Amann, he’ll bleed craft beer. He started in this industry as a fan, landed an entry level distribution job, worked his way to sales and then decided to open a brewery.  Maybe lucky for him that didn’t work out but instead, he went where most brewery owners think all the money in the craft beer industry is hiding. The middle tier. He opened Adena Distributing and set about being the grease that lubed the route from a brewery’s fermenter to the customer’s face.  Adena distributing was the rare distributor that loved the beer, the brewers and the events that promote it. Of course, Michael is telling his story on this show because profitability seems to pass the middle tier by as much as the supplier tier.  And that is the story he’s here to tell.  Reach out to Michael at AmannMichaelc@gmail.com Adena Website Adena Facebook Adena Instagram Adena Twitter Story about their closing Episode Sponsored by: Accubrew Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Made To Measure Communications Somnifix (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

James Moriarty and the tale of his brewery should be a cautionary one. So many breweries start up with operators that know far less than James did.  He brewed in multiple facilities for over a decade, went to the Siebel Institute, worked as an engineer assembling and starting up breweries and only then did he leverage that experience to open Urban Brew Labs in Chicago.  But even that resume wasn’t enough to take his brewery into profitability.  But James wouldn’t go down without a fight. He pivoted, struggled, brewed, raised money and restructured. Like all of us, he wanted his dream to succeed.  But even closing his dream in August of 2022 didn’t deter James from a career helping others open their breweries. In some ways it strengthened his understanding of how the business of craft beer works. And doesn’t. Now he, like all of my guests, knows how NOT to start a Damn Brewery.  And now here’s the story of James Moriarty and Chicago’s late Urban Brew Labs.  Reach out to James at James@brokenpaddleinstalls.comUrban Brew Labs Website Urban Brew Labs Facebook Urban Brew Labs Instagram Urban Brew Labs Twitter Story about their closing Episode Sponsored by: Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Made To Measure Communications Somnifix (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Judd Belstock and his co-founder, Sam Alcaine, started the first chicha and pulque brewery in the US. They built a beautiful brewery in the heart of one of the beer-y-est cities in America - Denver. The market was large, the customers curious and everywhere you looked, the future for craft beer in 2018 looked as bright as a Rocky Mountain sunrise. And for a few years, Dos Luces did grow. They expanded their product lines, their distribution and their fanbase. But like the story of many of the breweries I interview and, really, even the ones that pretend otherwise, it wasn't enough to consistently hit profitability. As you'll hear, specializing in unique and esoteric products brings unique and esoteric challenges with it. After years of standing tall, fighting for market share and struggling to fight off the slings and arrows of the outrageous craft beer business, Judd finally realized it all just wasn't worth it. Here is the story of the rise and unfortunate fall of Denver's Dos Luces Brewery. Dos Luces Website Dos Luces Facebook Dos Luces Instagram Dos Luces Twitter Story about their closing Episode Sponsored by: Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Somnifix (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Today I’m bringing you something different. This is the story Ted Mack and his brewery, Peoples Beer in Wisconsin.  Mr. Mack passed away in 2019 so I’m interviewing Clint Lanier, whose new book, Ted Mack And America’s First Black Owned Brewery hit the market a few months ago.  This is a fascinating story of guts and activism that has inspired generations of modern brewers to pick up their mash paddles and make their mark on beer history. As the first brewery in America that was 100% black owned, it stood for something more than just a simple business, it was activism through capitalism. Peoples was only open a few years before Mr. Mack watched the walls literally come down. He fought racism, corruption, illegal and unfair competition and the US government before it was all over.  The brewery closed in 1972 and the similarities to what the team at Peoples faced to today surprised the Hell out of me.  Clint did a ton of research to get the book right and I thought he did a great job, spending years on this project. He started writing it in…..actually I’ll let him tell it.  Buy Clint's book Learn About William's brewery in Atlanta Check out where Peoples Beer is made today Episode Sponsored by: Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Somnifix (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Jason Santamaria  and his partner Chris Doyle started a brewery in Atlanta back in 2014.  They called it Second Self and they ran it that way. The brewery was a creative expression of the flavors and experiences that shaped their lives.  What you’ll hear is how as the market grew and evolved, so did Second Self. Pivoting to find new puddles of profitability, struggling against changing consumer preferences and finally ending up as a primarily contract facility.  I sat down with Jason a week or so before he and Chris closed their doors to hear the whole story. Jason shares how they were inspired to start their brewery, what it was like to build it into a thriving business and the emotions he has presiding over it’s dismantlement.  This is the story of the late Second Self Beer Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Much love to the co-founder, Jason Santamaria for sharing it and teaching us How NOT To Start A Damn Brewery.  Second Self Beer Company's websiteSecond Self Beer Company's Facebook Page Second Self Beer Company's Instagram News Story About Their Closing Cirrus CBD Water Episode Sponsored by: Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Somnifix (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Eric Addison opened a craft beer oasis West of Fort Worth in Hudson Oaks, TX. Or where he likes to think of as "Michelob Ultra" country. Pathfinder Brewery opened at the height of the brewery building frenzy in TX. After losing not only his original name but lease space to another brewery he ended up building his own building from scratch. Which may wind up being the best case scenario. After opening, he expanded outside the brewery with self-distribution, won a U.S. Beer Open gold and struggled to find relevance among of sea of breweries deserted of craft beer fans. Yes, I said struggled to find relevance AFTER winning a gold medal for his beer.  Not surprisingly, he's got some opinions, thoughts and feelings about his brewery, the Fort Worth marketplace and craft beer overall. I love how introspective and thoughtful Eric is - he’s the kind of guy I think should have been more successful but somehow it just didn’t play out that way.  Well, I’ll let him tell the story…. Pathfinder Brewery's websitePathfinder Brewery's Facebook Page Pathfinder Brewery's Instagram News Story About Their Closing Buy Eric's Equipment Episode Sponsored by: Brewery Direct Simpson Motorcycle Helmets BrewBids Somnifix Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support

Philip Davis isn't some mamby pamby little wanker that just opened up the Brewery-builder's playbook and picked one of the 3 standard brewery models. He didn't open up in an industrial park, didn't pimp himself out to a group of stuffed shirt investors and he didn't read the report to find out the moisture content of the endosperm of the grains he brewed with. He sure as fuck didn't use Ai to design his recipes or automation to brew his beers. He was a dynamic artist and he had something to say. Maybe something to scream, whisper and insinuate since he considered himself progressive rock. It took Philip years to dream-up, design and build his farmhouse brewery on 33 acres. But like you'll hear over the next hour and a half, it only took 6 months to learn what the rest of us all know. Specialization is dead. Most of the population doesn't get what we do. Profit isn't in the cards. Philip did things his way on his terms. He was driven, artistic and creative. He also has a likeable personality and an infectious blend of hubris and self-reflection. I think you'll like Philip, but I know you'll love the story of his brewery and what he learned about how NOT to start a damn brewery. And now, on with the show. Hawkins' Website  Hawkins' Instagram  Hawkins' Facebook  Special Appearance by Ruvani de Silva Episode Sponsored by: ⁠Brewery Direct⁠ ⁠Simpson Motorcycle Helmets⁠ Made To Measure Communications ⁠BrewBids⁠ ⁠Somnifix⁠⁠ (use DAMNBREWERY at checkout for 10% off) ⁠Where to get my book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damnbrewery/support