Craft Beer Professionals

Andrew Coplon joins us to answer some questions about the upcoming Craft Beer Professionals Connects Workshop in Milwaukee this June. Their event is very different from other conferences/expos, and we wanted to uncover what actually makes it so unique. Andrew answers a ton of questions and shares a little secret about the event that you won't find online. This episode is also featured on the G...

It’s virtually impossible to scroll through your newsfeed without seeing a new headline about ChatGPT. Schools have banned the tool. Lawmakers are using it for speech writing. It’s passing law exams and writing code. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a moment due to its ability to answer questions as if you were talking to a human. But should brewery owners and managers be scared? Your busine...

In this conversation, we chat live with Blake about his experience since opening. We dive into what he's learned so far, what has surprised him, and what he's been able to apply from his background in sports to create out of the park taproom experiences. No baseball puns will be spared. Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking Milwaukee, WI | June 19-21, 2023 Gra...

Small town doesn't have to mean small profits. In this conversation, we will be joined by representatives from small town breweries from across the country. From customer preferences to events to marketing, we will discuss strategies our guests have used to build relationships and grow their bottom line. This conversation features: Clay Hysell (Patch Brewing Company) Kate Bogli (The Brewery at...

As we gear up for our Spring Virtual Conference (April 3-5), we are excited to bring together 3 of our presenters for a conversation that will discuss current challenges and opportunities our industry is facing, changing consumer preferences, and even the role of ChatGPT in today's market. This conversation will discuss the changing landscape and also thoughts on closures. This conversation fe...

As we gear up for our Spring Virtual Conference (April 3-5), we are excited to bring together 3 of our presenters for a conversation that spans everything from energy drinks to education to efficiencies. Join us as we have a roundtable discussing the current state of craft beer. This conversation features: Charlie Cole (Great Revivalist Brew Lab) Dan Klasen (Beer and Wine Federation) Jon Childress...

Geary Brewing Co., the oldest in Maine, in was founded in 1983. Forty years later they are still innovating under the leadership of Alan and Robin Lapoint. The Lapoints launched the non-alcoholic 1820 Brewing Co. to bring their time honored brewing capabilities and quality to this special market sector to offer craft beer drinkers new options to support their modern lifestyle choices. Today, we wi...

In this session, we are joined by Roger Beaudoin, CEO of Restaurant Rockstars, for a conversation on what taprooms can learn from our restaurant industry counterparts. We will discuss logistics to consider when opening your taproom, finances, and staff training tips. Roger will also offer thoughts on big picture marketing, efficiencies, and how to find lucrative profit centers. Tune into this ente...

Chocolate has long been viewed as a childhood treat or a pick-me-up on a bad day rather than an agriculturally-rooted, craft-driven product displaying variety and nuance. A new wave of craft chocolate makers are doing for the chocolate world what craft brewers have done for American beer. And the really good news? Beer and chocolate pair great together. In this presentation, beer writer and Bean t...

A strong public relations campaign can help build your brewery’s brand, keep customers walking through the door and coming back for more. With the media landscape ever evolving, getting exposure requires a nuanced balance of persistence and sustained outreach. From earned to owned to social media, how can your brand benefit from PR and what are the successful strategies the can help amplify your b...

Inspired by a recent CBP thread, this session will discuss how to not only set guest expectations, but to go above and beyond. We will dive into staff training, customer interactions, and strategies you can implement to create the most memorable and profitable experience.   This conversation features:  Casey LeFever (4 Noses Brewing)  Erica Baca (Coal Mine Ave Brewing Company) ...

When was the last time you reviewed and updated your craft brewery’s employee handbook? Does your craft brewery even have an employee handbook? If you have even one employee, your business is large enough to need an employee handbook. It the key document that outlines expectations for employees and management. While you may be tempted to search for a handbook template on the internet, this will li...

Join us for a lively, interactive discussion on how to use communication tools and methods to your advantage to bring people together to get work done. How much of your time has been wasted in meetings for the sake of meetings with minimal results and greater chaos? Is your email inbox overflowing with endless threads of tangled “reply alls” and forwards? In today’s virtual, fast-paced business wo...

This conversation is a behind the scenes look at the Taproom Success Membership. The Taproom Success community is dedicated to providing you with the tools for greater taproom success. You can learn more here . Dylan Mazurkiewicz has been at Lakefront for 10+ years, and has held many roles - from Gift Shop and Tour Guide work, to creating our Tour Manager position, and now onto On-site Busine...

The taproom! The epicenter of your brand. We’re excited to have a conversation today on how you can make the most of your guests’ time at your brewery. We hope that you leave with greater strategies for success and inspiration to further maximize your brewery’s taproom experience. After all, it’s not just about making great beer, but also putting out world class hospitality. We'll be joined by: An...

Contract brewing! Do you have extra capacity? Are you looking for a production partner to help keep up? In this conversation, we will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss the operational, financial, and legal aspects of whether contract brewing makes sense for your business. We will dive into what makes a good partner, setting clear expectations, and how you can see greater success through c...

In this webinar, Pulkit K. Agrawal (Founder & CEO of Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient) and Steve "Hendo" Henderson (Founder of Rockstar Brewer) dive into 5 actionable ways brewers can use their data to #BrewMore and #BrewBetter. The topics include: Using Brew Sheets in Beer30 to dial in deviations and quality based on text alerts and tolerances. Diving into weekly KPIs with Brew-Filter-Pack Metric...

One way to sell more out of your taproom is to invest in more taps or stock more branded gear to offer consumers. But that version of “selling more” requires cash up front and doesn’t necessarily guarantee payback quickly. Instead, you may be looking for a way to increase sales that doesn’t require you to spend capital first! In this session, we’ll walk thru strategies and plans that can equip you...

Your point of sale system is the backbone of your taproom. From the guest experience to your team and taproom's unique needs, it is important to find the right POS that helps maximize your success. In this session, we will discuss reporting/analysis, fees/pricing, selling tools, integrations, service/support, and a process to make selecting the POS more efficient.   Whether you are soon to be...

How is your brewery paying out credit card tips? It's a question we hear all the time, and it's a real conundrum. Paying out tips on a daily basis keeps your people happy. But between cash shortages, labor costs and theft and safety risks, daily cash tip-outs are becoming unworkable. Join Kickfin for a webinar to learn how breweries like yours are bringing their tip programs into the 21st century...

Beer and cheese...a perfect match, and opportunity to create unique events in your taproom. We are excited to welcome Cara Warren (Isigny USA / Cheese Professor/ Cutting the Curd Podcast) and Adam Levy (Alcohol Professor/Cheese Professor/New York International Beer Competition) for a conversation on how to establish a cheese program at your brewery. In this session we will discuss types of cheeses...

Craft beer is all about innovation and more breweries are diversifying their product lineup to reach more potential customers. In past panels we have featured breweries also operating as coffee shops and soon will be discussing breweries also producing wine. In this session, we will learn from several Craft Beer Professionals who have ventured into the world of distilling. We will dive into why ou...

Over this panel, we will be discussing the upwards trend in fruit in beer and seltzers, especially with RTDs on the rise.  We will also be looking at how we can achieve what is popular in our respective markets, how we each go about making fruited styles, and techniques used to blend the correct flavor profiles.    Panelists:  Aaron Butzen (Monday Night Brewing)  Garrett H...

Over the last several years, “social media marketing” has become synonymous with “digital marketing,” but should that be the case moving into 2023? If not, then what else is there? Are we witnessing the fall of Facebook/Instagram? What does craft beer marketing look like when social media doesn’t take up so much of the digital marketing mix?    We’ve put together a panel of forward-think...

Beer gardens, sport leagues, bed and brews, OH MY!   Join the team at Harvest Hosts as well as a great line up of breweries who are doing much more than brewing awesome beer! Hear from Pals Brewing Co., R & R Brewing, and Wiedemann's Fine Beer about the exceptional experiences offered at their breweries. Each will share ideas on how to grow your brand organically through in person experie...