Craft Beer Professionals

Say goodbye to boring spreadsheets and hello to a budgeting process that actually works. In this workshop, we’ll show you how to create a practical, profit-driven brewery budget using real numbers, easy tools, and a dash of fun. You’ll leave with a clear plan, the right templates, and the confidence to take control of your finances. Without falling asleep at the keyboard. Kary Shumway is the found...

2024 saw more brewery closings than openings. Uncertainty is growing around rising costs and tariffs. Production is down. Consumers are looking for more diverse offerings, including non-alcoholic. Industry associations are promising bright days ahead, while member breweries are not so sure. Tired promotions and liquid social posts aren’t going to save craft. Throwing more resources and budget at t...

We know that you know beer! But what if you’re adding additional product categories? This presentation aims to give you a solid understanding of the rules and regulations around the advertising and marketing of all your brands, alcoholic beer as well as non-alc, spirits and hemp-derived beverage products. Key Objectives: Know what is considered an advertisement and the “Golden Rule” to avoid most...

CBP Connects New Orleans is almost here, happening December 8–10. Join us for a conversation with some of our event speakers and partners to hear what you can expect, why you should attend, and how it can help you reach your goals. 14 interactive sessions, 3 nightly receptions (Urban South, Parleaux, and Abita), a trade show, and countless opportunities to connect with industry decision makers. Th...

Breweries are under pressure—tight margins, unpredictable production, and old ways of managing inventory, compliance, and procurement that just aren’t cutting it anymore. In this session, we’ll explore how mid-sized breweries can reclaim efficiency and stay competitive using smarter systems, without needing an enterprise IT team. You’ll hear from Lawson’s Finest Liquids, a regional brewery navigat...

Every big decision comes with lessons, some you are glad you learned and others you wish you could have avoided. In this panel, brewery owners and managers share the moves they have made, from expansions to new revenue streams to tough calls that changed the direction of their business. Hear what worked, what did not, and what they would do differently so you can make smarter moves in your own bus...

CBP Connects New Orleans is almost here, happening December 8–10. Join us for a conversation with some of our event speakers and partners to hear what you can expect, why you should attend, and how it can help you reach your goals. 14 interactive sessions, 3 nightly receptions (Urban South, Parleaux, and Abita), a trade show, and countless opportunities to connect with industry decision makers. Th...

We are experiencing an unprecedented talent crisis in the US. We are producing more jobs than we have workers to fill them, companies are now competing for talent across all industries – not just within their own. Engagement is at its lowest in almost 10 years and the expectations among Millennials and GenZ have created the long overdue awakening about what leaders need to do to build engaged and...

Business is consistent, staff is solid, cash flow is more than adequate, and I have a great idea/opportunity for another tap room….so should I do it?"This feels like the ultimate question for the brewing industry right now, since a significant number of closings seem to be happening on the heels of a major expansion. So what are the best metrics to use when weighing this question (or) any typ...

Your service staff is tasked with presenting your beers to customers in your taproom or brewpub, which makes each of them ad hoc members of your sales staff. They might be great bartenders or servers, but if they came to you from a restaurant or other hospitality background, they might not know much about beer, and we all know how quickly beer misinformation can spread. Brewery owners are sometime...

Running a craft brewery today isn’t easy—markets are unpredictable, costs are rising, and competition is fierce. The real question is, how do you not just survive, but thrive in all this chaos? Join us as we tackle the biggest challenges facing craft breweries today—rising raw material and packaging costs, fierce competition, and unpredictable pricing and demand. We’ll break down revenue vs. profi...

For better or worse, the U.S. beer market is built on top of a sea of excise taxes, which every successful and compliant brewer must learn to navigate. As your brewery grows and enters more state markets, your overall excise tax burden only increases, adding to the confusion and risk of missing something. And, of course, each state has unique rules for how they apply and administer their excise ta...

Hiring a whole sales team isn’t always realistic, but that doesn’t mean your growth has to stall. This session explores how independent beverage brands can scale sales using lean, digital-first strategies that replace manual processes with intelligent systems. You’ll learn how to blend brand storytelling, targeted marketing, and smart automation to boost both retail and wholesale revenue. Whether...

There’s a lot of consolidation in the brewing industry right now. And, there are a lot of people looking to make an exit. We tell clients that, right now, it’s probably cheaper to buy a brewery than to start one. Whether you’re buying or selling there’re thing you need to think about and protections you need to have. From transaction structure to warranties to owner financing to employee issues, t...

In this session we will dive into the world of hemp beverages, exploring the state of the industry, market trends, technical details, and, most importantly, giving you ample time to ask questions! Topics covered will include formulation considerations, production SOPs, navigating the regulatory landscape, and understanding what consumers want in a THC drink. Attendees will leave the session with c...

This presentation explains the various scenarios in which stainless steel equipment can be damaged and how to avoid damaging the equipment by understanding the cause effects. We will also discuss various field examples and how the equipment can be protected and repaired, if necessary. Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Dirk graduated in Cologne with a degree in business administration. After wor...

In an industry driven by grassroots grit, passion, and what at times feels like flying by the seat of your pants, professional development often takes a backseat to production schedules and tight budgets. But staying competitive and keeping your staff inspired doesn’t require expensive conferences or high-ticket programs. This session explores how breweries of all sizes—especially small and indepe...

In today’s challenging beverage landscape, most breweries aren’t chasing overnight success as the next big regional or national player. Instead, growth comes from intentional moves that fit the business. In this panel, you’ll hear from owners who have expanded by adding kitchens, stepping away from distribution, and building private event programs — all without losing control. The right next step...

Uncover where your brewery truly makes money by identifying key profit drivers across products, customers, and channels. In this session, you’ll learn how to benchmark your financial performance against industry standards, spot areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions that lead to stronger margins and sustainable profitability. Panelists: Dan Reineke (Loma Brewing Company) Jake Lohse...

A full taproom is a happy taproom, but gone are the days of “If you brew it, they will come.” We need new ideas and strategies. We need profitable marketing programs that are proven to put butts on barstools and make money! This session is for micro to mid-size brewery owners, GMs, marketing managers and head janitors (because you do all these jobs) who want to implement 10X+ ROI marketing strateg...

Your beer may bring them in, but your food might be what keeps them around (and spending more). Join MarginEdge and two innovative breweries for a conversation on how to turn your food program from a necessity into a revenue-driving asset. From menu design and cost tracking to staffing, pricing, and guest experience, we’ll explore what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. Panelists: Chris Pal-F...

We’re all trying to get more guests in our taprooms. This session dives into creative, real-world tactics breweries are using right now to increase foot traffic and build consistent taproom momentum. We’ll look at smart event ideas, unexpected partnerships, local outreach, and simple tools that are often overlooked. It’s all about finding innovative ways to stay visible, relevant, and busy. Paneli...

The modern guest expects more than just beer. In this panel hosted by Go Brewing, we’ll explore the growing demand for non-alcoholic beer and THC beverages. Learn how to educate both your team and your customers, understand the latest consumption trends, and discover how these products help create a more inclusive and welcoming taproom. Whether you're already offering them or just getting star...

In this session, we’ll dig into the hard work behind two of beer’s essential ingredients: malt and hops. You’ll hear directly from barley growers and hop producers about what matters most, how each harvest impacts the final product, and where the industry stands today. We’ll also talk with brewers who are leaning into the agricultural side of beer and using ingredients to tell a deeper, more meani...

As the industry evolves, breweries are embracing tools like QR code ordering to streamline operations, boost tab sizes, and maximize efficiency. But how do you keep the soul of the taproom alive when guests order with their phones instead of chatting with a bartender or server? In this panel, brewery leaders and Arryved experts discuss how to use technology without losing the personal connection t...