Episode 49 - Brewery Customer Membership Programs to Build Community and Profits

Let’s take an exploration into yeast. From fermentation through history, to unlocking new secrets and strains, a world-renowned expert is here on this episode  to share his insight and knowledge to give us all a better understanding of beer.Dr. Martin Zarnkow is the Head of Research and Development at the Research Center at Weihenstephan for Brewing and Food Quality. He has traveled the world unlocking new information around yeast and fermentation. He’s built a career around knowledge-based brewing and has helped new generations of brewers better understand fermentation science and history. He is also passionate about the social aspects of beer drinking and how to best offer an experience in the glass.  The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 52  is sponsored by:2024 NanoCon OnlineSave the date and save $100. Registration is now open for the 2024 NanoCon Online taking place on Friday, October 25. Don't miss this full day of business and brewing strategies for running or launching a successful small-scale, taproom-focused craft brewery. The seminars will be live and online but you'll also have access to video replays of every session. Register now for the October 25 event and you'll save $100 at nanocon.beer.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 52Host: John HollGuests: Martin Zarnkow Contact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

Events are a great way to bring regulars and new comers into your taproom. On this episode we talkk with three brewers who are working to bring new and exciting experiences to their breweries. From celebrations around new events, to yoga, live music, crafts, and working with charities, events are commonplace again four years since the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic. This episode explores what works, what doesn’t and how can nano breweries reach new customers while keeping the existing ones. Brian Kulbacki is a 2012 Graduate of the American Brewers Guild Brewing School, where he took their Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering course for Breweries in Planning. Prior to that he graduated from Boston College with a double major in Marketing & Finance.  He has worked in marketing for the New England Patriots/Revolution and the Lakewood BlueClaws, as well as finance for Major League Baseball and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. He has also managed operations for a family business. Brian founded Departed Soles Brewing Company in 2014, which in 2015 opened its doors to become the first brewery in Jersey City, New Jersey since prohibition, and the first brewery on the east coast to craft gluten free beer in dedicated equipment, along with traditional glutenous beers. The brewery has won medals at GABF, the World Beer Cup, and Best of Craft Beer Awards, among others. The brewery is now run by Brian's dog, Bogan.Greg Fagen is Co-Founder of Heroes Brewing Company in Rochester, NY. As an avid home brewer, Greg honed his skills and passion for craft beer. He's won 10 medals as an amateur while teaming with fellow beer creators in their garages. Heroes Brewing Company opened in December 2020 after a long 6 year pilgrimage to make the  dream of owning a commercial brewery come true. Our is unique in that we partner with local charities and non-profit organizations for every beer we make and we make a donation to them from the sale of canned products. To date we have partnered with over 80 organizations who have benefited from the sale of more than 50,000 cans. Our philosophy is simple: Heroes don’t look like they used to. They look like you do. Steven Fuller has been owner of Wackadoo Brewing in Colorado for the last four years. He joined the Army at 17-year-old and spent 14 years as an active duty infantryman and 5 years as a sniper. He completed 3 tours in Iraq, was a Drill sergeant for 3 years, and now says his brewery is the only one in America to be a part of a VFW, that would be VFW 6461 in fountain Colorado.The brewery also donates 100% of its profits every month to 11 different Veteran nonprofits or Veteran service organizations.A word on content. This episode specifically be talks about self-harm experiences and prevention. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Lifeline. Additionally, in the United States you can visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of services. Individual countries also have their own resources. It’s OK to not be OK and you’re not alone.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 51  is sponsored by:BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 51Host: John HollGuests: Greg Fagen, Steven Fuller, and Brian KulbackiContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

Human Resources might not be the most exciting topic for brewery owners, but it’s important and there are enthusiastic individuals ready to tackle that part of the business. Having the right person in your corner can only help your business operate on solid ground.Emily Cripe, the Senior Director of Human Resources of Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Co. is here to explain. Cripe has 18 years of HR experience across a variety of industries. As an HR generalist by training, Emily’s specialty is working in startups and small-to-medium size businesses and subsidiaries, creating and managing HR from the ground up. She created the Human Resources function at Half Acre, where she has worked since March 2017.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 50  is sponsored by:BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 50Host: John HollGuests: Emily CripeContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

There are multiple ways to build a community around your brewery, and one way is through membership clubs and offering your beer through community supported agriculture-type programs. Two brewers embracing that model are here to discuss their initiatives. January and February can be tough months for brewery taprooms. The collective societal hangover both on the waistline and wallet looms large. It can make running a small brewery even more difficult. But there are some ways to cultivate a loyal audience while also creating beers of note. The brewer-owners of Lady Justice Brewing in Colorado and  Stoneman Brewing in Massachusetts are here to share the stories of their membership programs and offer insight on how it might work for your small brewery. Betsy Lay is the co-founder and owner of the social enterprise Lady Justice Brewing in Aurora, CO. She holds a certificate from the Siebel Institute of Technology's Concise Course in Brewing Technology and also earned a Master in Theological Studies from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. In her time off from the brewery, Betsy can be found with a good whiskey, a good book, and a good dog.Justin Korby is the owner / brewer of Stoneman Brewery in Colrain MA. Stoneman Brewery opened in 2012 and started the first beer CSA in the country brewing on a small farm using nearly 100% NorthEast grown ingredients in every batch of beer. Justin was a Stonemason for 10 years before deciding to change careers and take the hobby of home brewing to the next level and start a Nano Brewery.   As a one man business Justin also helps raise pigs, chickens and helps weed the homestead garden.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 49  is sponsored by:Fermentis  There are occasions when a single micro-organism is not enough, you know it! That's why Fermentis gives you All-In-1™, a brand of specifically blended products, which can be made from a mix of micro-organisms, catalysts, nutrients and more. – Available in 500g and 25g. To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation visit  www.fermentis.com.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 49Host: John HollGuests: Betsy Lay, Justin KorbyContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

The end of a year is a good time to look back, take stock, and to plan for what is to come.For professional brewers and drinkers 2023 is going to be remembered for a number of reasons. There’s a lot of strong feelings and a lot of realities coming to roost, but so much of that rests on the numbers. Bart Watson, the chief economist for the Brewers Association is here for a conversation about the year that was and what the new year might look like. He is the Chief Economist for the Brewers Association, is a stats geek, beer lover, and Certified Cicerone®. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, where in addition to his dissertation, he completed a comprehensive survey of Bay Area brewpubs one pint at a time. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BrewersStats.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 48  is sponsored by:Fermentis  There are occasions when a single micro-organism is not enough.That's why Fermentis gives you All-In-1™, a brand of specifically blended products, which can be made from a mix of micro-organisms, catalysts, nutrients and more. Discover blends for all your needs: Lower-carb dry lagers, dry flavorful beers, very high gravity beers and a new all-in-one yeast and enzyme blend for Dry, complex and Woody beers! To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation visit www.fermentis.com.GrainfatherWhether you’re looking for a brewing system to create trial recipes, or you want to easily add production capacity to your nanobrewery – the Grainfather G70 electric brewing system is your solution. The G70 has a 70 liter capacity, allowing you to easily make ½ BBL batches of beer in a compact system that won’t take up valuable floor space. Ask your BSG sales manager for more information about the G70 today, or go to Grainfather.com to learn more.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 48Host: John HollGuest: Bart WatsonContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

As we head into a cozy season of gathering with family and friends and our attention turns to big meals shared together, we have a trio of brewers here to talk about their food programs. From pairings to working with food trucks, this episode is stuffed with practical tips and insight from nano brewers, for nano brewers. From food trucks to in-house kitchens, food can be an an important part of brewery life and the consumer experience. Three brewers are here to talk about their experiences, the ups and downs, and how to get the most out of pairings. You’ll hear from Will Gomez of Brew Bridge, Harry Arnold of Aristaeus Brewing, and Andrew Frana of Brightside Aleworks. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 47 is sponsored by:Fermentis  There are occasions when a single micro-organism is not enough.That's why Fermentis gives you All-In-1™, a brand of specifically blended products, which can be made from a mix of micro-organisms, catalysts, nutrients and more. Discover blends for all your needs: Lower-carb dry lagers, dry flavorful beers, very high gravity beers and a new all-in-one yeast and enzyme blend for Dry, complex and Woody beers! To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation visit www.fermentis.com.ABS CommercialABS Commercial is proud to be your full-service brewery outfitter for over 10 years! They love being able to give back to the industry which is why they have kicked off their ninth Keg Viking Giveaway! The grand prize is their state of the art Keg Viking keg washer PLUS a full pallet of half barrel kegs from G4 Kegs. Check out more details and enter to win at abs-commercial.com.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 47Host: John HollGuests: Will Gomez, Harry Arnold, Andrew Frana Contact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

This is as good a month as any to be thinking about your brewery’s finances - both long term and short term - and the best practices for a check in or to get your money situation in order. Most brewers don’t open a brewery to get into finance, but managing cash flow is a necessary part of the job. Our guest on this episode is Kary Shumway,  CPA, former CFO for a beer distributor and current CFO for Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, MA. He’s here with insight and a checklist to help get your brewery finances in order. Shumway has spent the last 20 years using finance to help improve financial results in business. Now, he’s helping other breweries, wholesalers and cideries to do the same. His financial training programs have been developed on a new learning platform in order to deliver the best experience for you. The programs are designed specifically for non-financial people who have the responsibility of either managing or contributing to the success of business.  He chronicles it all and offers resources at www.karysfinancialtraining.com.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 46 is sponsored by:Fermentis  Coming Soon! Because there are occasions when a single micro-organism is not enough, Fermentis is launching All-In-1™ blended products for nanobrewers, in 25-gram sizes! Discover SafBrew™ DW-17, a mix of active dry yeast + enzymes, for the production of very dry and complex beers with fruity, woody and slight acidic characters. Learn more at www.fermentis.com.GrainfatherWhether you’re looking for a brewing system to create trial recipes, or you want to easily add production capacity to your nanobrewery – the Grainfather G70 electric brewing system is your solution. The G70 has a 70 liter capacity, allowing you to easily make ½ BBL batches of beer in a compact system that won’t take up valuable floor space. Ask your BSG sales manager for more information about the G70 today, or go to Grainfather.com to learn more.Five Star ChemicalsWe all know that brewing is an art, but it's also a science. That's where Five Star Chemicals comes in! They offer a stellar lineup of products designed to simplify and enhance your brewing process. Be sure to check out the PBW Liquid and PBW Tablets. Same cleaning power in a different format! FiveStarChemicals.comBYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 46Host: John HollGuests: Kary ShumwayContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

This month we are talking about distribution. Every brewery owner needs to decide if it’s right for their business and to weigh the pros and cons between a distribution partner, self distribution, or keeping your beer sales solely in house.First we’ll hear from Laura Lodge the Owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, Start a Brewery and author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer.Then we’ll hear from Will Loring of Lesser-Known Brewing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  The co-founder of the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival, Laura Lodge has been engaged in the craft beer industry since 1997. She’s the Owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, designing events, resort retail programs, and educational programs based on craft beer, and is also the author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer.With a passion for beer beginning in college, Will Loring started the beer program in a local Fredericksburg grocer in 2012. This eventually led him to the distribution side where he worked as a sales rep for many years before becoming the area sales manager of Richmond, VA.With over a decade’s worth of experience in the beer industry, Will set off to co-found Lesser-Known Beer Co. which opened in July of 2022. Dedicated to service and keeping it simple, the brewery is focused on traditional styles offered in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 45 is sponsored by:Fermentis  Nanobrewers, try adding a cider to your lineup! Whether you want a crisp, sweet or fruity cider, discover the SafCider™ range: 4 cider strains available in 5-gram pouches, the perfect size for you. Just make your choice or try them all! To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation, and for the latest on their exciting new product releases, visit www.fermentis.com.ABS CommercialABS Commercial is proud to be your full-service brewery outfitter for over 10 years! They love being able to give back to the industry which is why they have kicked off their ninth Keg Viking Giveaway! The grand prize is their state of the art Keg Viking keg washer PLUS a full pallet of half barrel kegs from G4 Kegs. Check out more details and enter to win at abs-commercial.com.Brewers Publications This episode is also sponsored by Brewers Publications — the leading publisher for craft brewers. Now available, Brewery Safety: Principles, Processes, and People, is the first and only safety book for the craft brewing industry. No matter the size of your brewery, author Matt Stinchfield’s insightful chapters will help you evaluate, educate, and execute safety-conscious measures. Order Brewery Safety at BrewersPublications.com/byopod and save 10% with discount code byopod through Dec. 31, 2023.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 45Host: John HollGuests: Laura Lodge, Will LoringContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

This month we are focusing on the 2023 hop crop. From what’s happening in the Pacific Northwest, to the fields of Michigan, we’ll talk about what is already in the ground, how the yield is looking, exciting hops, and how small brewers can foster a relationship with farmers.This is the time of year that we start thinking about the North American hop harvest, and before the farmers got too busy in the fields we invited two of them to share updates from the ground. John Segal Jr. of Segal Ranch is here to give us an update on the Pacific Northwest. Then we’ll hear from Brian Tennis of the Michigan Hop Alliance on what the state crop is looking like and the challenges and promises that smaller regions and states have have on the horizon. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 44 is sponsored by:Fermentis Do you brew 25 to 50 gallon batches? SafLager™ is available in flexible 100g pouches, perfect for your brews! Fermentis offers a wide range of lager yeasts, covering traditional to modern-style lagers, creating floral, fruity, or neutral character as well as enhancing malty or hoppy character.Want to know more about SafLager™ yeasts? For more info, visit www.fermentis.com.Five Star ChemicalsWe’ve got a game-changer to discuss: PBW Liquid from Five Star Chemicals! This stuff tackles those stubborn stains just like the OG powder, but is easier to dose and dissolves quicker. Say goodbye to those scrubbing nightmares and hello to cleaner, happier brewing days. Use Five Star Chemicals today and taste the difference in your brews. FiveStarChemicals.comBYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 44Host: John HollGuests: John Segal Jr., Brian TennisContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell

This month we are focusing on festivals and events. The summer is the season to get outdoors, mingle, and experience all that your town, state, or region has to offer. Fortunately nano breweries are playing a big role in that space. Beer festivals are at a crossroads right now. It’s harder to get folks to come out and drink beer in a crowd, but there are chances for smaller breweries to make an impact in that setting. Chris Rhodes of Portland, Oregon’s Nano Beer Festival is here to talk about the fest and best practices. Then we’ll hear from Emily and Matt Strysik of Knack Brewing and Fermentation in Illinois. They are getting real good at hosting small scale events at their brewery that brings in artisans of all kinds, and with it, new customers. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 43 is sponsored by:Fermentis Everybody knows that yeast plays one of the most important roles in brewing. It influences flavor, aroma, acidity, brightness, and mouthfeel, all at the same time. And brewing a Lager is no exception! Discover SafLager™ W-34/70, THE STRONG & ROBUST LAGER YEAST! This famous strain comes from Weihenstephan in Germany and is used world-wide within the brewing industry. It brings a good balance of floral and fruity aromas and gives clean flavors and high drinkable beers. Available in 11.5, 100 & 500g sizes. For more info, visit www.fermentis.com.ABS CommercialABS Commercial is proud to be your full-service brewery outfitter for over 10 years, offering brewhouses, tanks, keg washers, and small parts to brewers across the country. They’re in this business because they are brewers, and it’s important for them to give back to the industry to help breweries grow and prosper. This summer ABS Commercial is  giving back with two special giveaway prizes every month through August. Check out what they have in store and enter to win at abs-commercial.com.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 43Host: John HollGuests: Chris Rhodes, Emily and Matt StrysikContact: [email protected]: Scott McCampbell