Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast

In this podcast we dig in on Brewery Taproom Metrics. We’ll review four key taproom scorecards that you can use to measure, monitor and improve results in your brewery.  Four specific taproom scorecards we cover: Sales focused (to grow revenue) Operational metrics (to improve non-financial performance) Financial metrics (to watch your financial results) One Thing Scorecard (to focus on the one mos...

In today’s podcast we hear from Kyle Rheiner from Arthur Hall Insurance. Kyle leads the Food and Beverage Division and specializes in insurance needs for craft breweries.  Key Topics Covered in the Podcast: One simple tip that can save you thousands of dollars on your premiums  Workers compensation insurance: How it works, and how to reduce costs How things have changed since the pandemic: specifi...

In this podcast we talk about brewery financial literacy -  the ability to read and understand the numbers of your business so that you can monitor and improve results.   Key Topics Covered Financial Building Blocks: Chart of Accounts, General Ledger Brewery Financial Reports: Overview and Examples  Financial Routines and Month end Process checklists Building and training your team: Out-Sourcing O...

In this podcast we hear from Joe Isaacs from National Resource Management. Joe shares his insights on energy reducing programs that may be available for your brewery. I’ve worked with NRM on several energy saving projects in the past and have found their team to be professional and profitable for our business. I encourage you to reach out to NRM so that you can “Go Green” and “Save Green”.  Key To...

In this podcast we hear from Ross Ackerman from GP Analytics. Ross shares his insights on forecasting beer sales, reacting to change, and creating a common language between wholesalers and breweries to drive sales. Key Topics Covered in the Podcast: Tips for forecasting sales this summer selling season Raw material shortages (cans, cardboard, etc) The return of on-premise and how to prepare your b...

In today's podcast you'll hear the audio from a recent webinar introducing the new Taproom Success Membership which officially launches on August 1st. The Taproom Success Membership connects you with a community of experts and taproom owners/managers to help you achieve success in your taproom. Key Topics 5 Taproom Business Myths Our Proven Process for Taproom Success One Thing you can d...

In this podcast, you’ll hear the audio of our webinar on beer distribution strategies for craft breweries. We’ll cover the financial and operational considerations to get your beer to market during this uncertain time. Key Topics How to build successful relationships with your beer distributors to grow sales Resources to analyze self-distribution options Beer Pricing and margin tools and models Re...

Today we talk dashbaords, KPI's and compensation planning with Darin Spence and Grant Barrett from InTrench Consulting. Darin is a former GM and VP at Encompass, and Grant is a former VP of Sales at Origlio Beverage.  Key topics covered: How to manage the supplier / wholesaler relationship Building performance management systems How to reward and pay for top performance Darin and Grant: My fa...

Joe Trombley is senior facilities planning manager at Barry-Wehmiller Design Group and technical director for the Master Brewer's Association, New England Region.  Joe works with breweries of all sizes from start-up to expansion to assist with packaging line planning, construction projects, master brewery planning, and more. Key topics covered: Rules of thumb for brewery build-out and constru...

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of the live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program. In this episode we cover brewery cash flow management: Best practices, key drivers of cash flow, and scorecards to track, measure and improve your cash position. The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financia...

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of the live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program.  In the episode, we cover the 6 Steps you can follow to create your brewery financial budget. The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability. The Course includ...

In today's podcast, listen to the audio version of a presentation on Brewery Financial Best Practices in Uncertain times.  Whether you are a start-up brewery, in expansion planning, or running an ongoing operation, the tools, resources and strategies covered will help you gain control over your financial results. We’ll also provide an overview of the financial programs and incentives that may...

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of a live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program.  We cover the common brewery financial problems, how to quickly identify them, and how to fix them.  The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability. The Course i...

In today's podcast, you'll hear a replay of the live Q&A session from the Brewery Financial Training Program. The Brewery Financial Training Program is for craft brewery owners, managers and staff who need practical financial training to improve cash flow and profitability. The Course includes 40+ lessons delivered across 6 modules, with a total of 8 hours of instruction, 6 graded qu...

Today we learn about taproom sales growth tactics with Andrew Coplon from Secret Hopper. Secret Hopper is a mystery shopping service for craft breweries that is helping breweries increase their revenues, create more repeat customers, and fine tune their tasting rooms. Key takeaways: Average taproom tabs have been higher during the pandemic (Andrew shares the data and how you can use this informati...

Open book management is a system to communicate the numbers of your brewery business and engage employees to improve financial results. In today's podcast, we talk about Open Book Management (OBM) with Audra Gaiziunas from Brewed for Her Ledger. In the podcast, Audra and I cover a wide range of topics including: The major benefits of OBM, mistakes to avoid, sharing financial information, key...

Today, we hear from Josh Lance, CPA from Lance CPA group. Lance CPA Group is a virtual certified public accounting firm built to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses. In this round two of our conversation we talk about the employee retention tax credit (ERTC). A huge deal for craft breweries. Josh breaks down the rules, the details, and exactly what you nee...

Today we hear from Josh Lance from Lance CPA Group, a virtual certified public accounting firm built to help craft brewery owners and entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses. Josh and I dig into the details of the ultimate software stack for breweries - from accounting software to POS to brewery management software and benchmarking tools. We talk about a common question from brewery owners...

Daniel Lust is co-founder and partner of PINTS LLC, a beverage advisory firm that partners with suppliers and distributors across the country to provide objective support, guidance and best practices related to the beverage alcohol industry. In today's podcast Dan and I talk about performance metrics for beer wholesalers and breweries: Out of code, out of stocks, gross profit %, profit per st...

In this podcast we talk with Jim Gunther from Gunther Creative Agency. Jim specializes in creating beautiful visual identities: branding, packaging, print, digital and more. He has recently added beverage formulation to his list of services. Jim has created a Product Launch Checklist which includes all the things you should consider when launching a new product. The product launch checklist includ...

In today's podcast we hear from Jason Sleeman from United Community Bank. Jason has 20 years' experience in banking, and the last 6 years running the craft beverage vertical for United Community Bank. The hot topic on everyone's mind is the second round of PPP funding.   What do breweries need to know right now to take advantage of this relief package?   How does the NAICS code fact...

Financial planning in a pandemic requires that you have an accelerated process to get your brewery budget done. You don't have weeks or months of time to complete this task, you have hours or days. In order to help you speed up the planning process, I'll share financial models that are easy to use and quick to update. These models are also be flexible so that you can update your numbers...

Today we talk about ESOPs with Rocky Fiore, Managing Director of Prairie Capital Advisors. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) can be a great option to reward employees and keep your brewery business independent.  Craft breweries are all about collaboration, camaraderie, and employee empowerment. Employee ownership may be a natural evolution in the craft beer culture. Rocky oversees client enga...

Rich Lindsay is a former CFO for Boston Beer Company, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and a valuation expert. We hear from Rich about common questions from brewery owners: How do I value my beer business?   What is my brewery worth?   What information should I provide to potential investors? Topics Covered: Boston Beer Company  Secrets to Success (hint...it's sales training) Brewery valuation basics Com...

Today we hear from Matt Hopkins, Executive Director of Independent Brewer's Alliance, the nation's only craft brewer owned cooperative. The cooperative has 100 craft brewer members with a combined 675,000 BBL of beer production. The mission of the organization is to pool purchasing power to save money on supplies and services for all member-owners.  Topics Covered  Savings programs offer...