Beer Business Finance

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Jun 2026

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Beer Business Finance is financial intelligence for beer wholesalers. We are dedicated to giving you clear, common-sense financial guidance so that you can improve financial results in your beer business. More profits, better cash flow, that’s Beer Business Finance. Listen to the podcast. The journey to a stronger financial business begins now.

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60 recent

June 12, 202648 min

Captive Insurance: The Secret Weapon to Slash Health Costs

Health insurance is one of the largest expenses on the P&L, but for most businesses it remains a complete black box. In this episode, we hear from Erin Butler from BevCap to unpack how employer health insurance really works, why costs keep rising, and how captive insurance arrangements are giving companies a way to take control. Learn how businesses are reducing healthcare spend by 20–40% while improving employee benefits. You'll also hear a case study of a beer wholesaler saving more than $1 million annually with a captive arrangement. Key Takeaways:Why health insurance deserves the same financial discipline and cost management as any other major operating expense.What captive health insurance is and how it differs from traditional fully insured plans.How employers can create more transparency and control over healthcare costs.The types of businesses that tend to benefit most from a captive approach (and who may not).A real-world case study showing how one beer wholesaler saved over $1 million per year while improving employee benefits.ResourcesConnect with Erin from BevCap, ebutler@bevcapmanagement.comGet the Beer Wholesaler Profit Brief - tactics, strategies and best practices to run a more profitable beer business

March 11, 202659 min

Using AI Without the Anxiety: Practical Ways Beer Wholesalers Can Start Today

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in business conversations right now, but for many beer wholesalers, the real challenge is simply knowing where to start. In this conversation with Bud Dunn from VxP, we cut through the hype and focus on practical ways AI can help wholesalers save time, improve decision-making, and support their teams.Instead of complicated technology projects, Bud shares how AI can assist with sales insights, forecasting, reporting, and everyday administrative work, while reinforcing the roles of experienced people in the business. If you’ve been curious about AI but unsure how it fits into a wholesale operation, this discussion provides a clear, low-risk framework for getting started.Key Takeaways• Start simple and practical. AI can deliver value quickly by helping summarize reports, analyze sales data, and assist with administrative tasks—no major technology overhaul required.• Use AI to support your sales and leadership teams. Tools can help identify trends, prepare for customer visits, and highlight opportunities in existing sales data.• Focus on time savings first. One of the biggest benefits of AI is reducing repetitive work so managers and teams can focus on strategy, relationships, and decision-making.• Separate real opportunity from hype. AI works best today as a tool for analysis and efficiency—not as a replacement for human judgment or industry experience.• Experiment safely. The best way to adopt AI is through small experiments with clear guardrails, allowing organizations to learn what works without overwhelming the team.ResourcesConnect with Bud Dunn to learn more about how VxP can supercharge your sales and margin growth - bud@vxptech.com Grab the free and value-packed Wholesaler Profit Brief - Clear Numbers, Cash Flow Clarity, and One Practical Action to Improve Financial Results

January 16, 202635 min

Leading Beer Forward: Advocacy, Growth, and the Next Generation with Kim McKinnish (NBWA)

In this episode, we hear from Kim McKinnish SVP and COO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) to talk about the future of beer. Kim shares insights on the current state of the industry, the power of advocacy, and key NBWA initiatives including the BREW Initiative, the Next Generation of Leaders Group, and the Beer First Campaign. Our conversation explores how leadership, relationships, and culture drive stronger businesses — and what distributors can do right now to build a healthier, more sustainable beer industry.In this episode, you’ll learn:An insider’s perspective on the current state of the beer industry and the biggest challenges and opportunities aheadWhat the BREW Initiative (Building Relationships & Empowering Women) is and how it’s helping develop talent across the industryWhy empowering women and building inclusive cultures leads to stronger leadership teams and better business resultsThe purpose behind NBWA’s Next Generation of Leaders Group and how it’s preparing future industry leadersThe leadership skills and mindset shifts the next wave of beer professionals need to succeedAn overview of the Beer Growth Initiative and NBWA’s Beer First CampaignPractical ways distributors and breweries can put the Beer First mindset into action in sales, marketing, and operationsKim’s outlook on where the beer industry is headed over the next 3–5 yearsActionable takeaways for building better teams, better partnerships, and a stronger beer businessDo you need tips and strategies to improve cash flow in your beer business? Get the Beer Business Finance newsletter. Packed with actionable tactics and best strategies you can implement right away to see real results on your income statement.

November 11, 202547 min

The Future of Functional Beverages with Julie Rhodes of Kick Beverages

Today, I’m joined by Julie Rhodes, co-founder of Kick Beverages and industry consultant with Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions. Julie and her team are making waves with Kick Fizz, a hemp-derived beverage that’s redefining how consumers think about social and functional drinks.In this conversation, we dig into:The inspiration behind Kick Fizz and how Julie identified an opening for a hemp-derived beverage in today’s evolving market.How Kick Beverages positions itself in the space between beer and cannabis—and what that means for brand identity, compliance, and distribution.The science and art behind flavor formulation and dosage, and how Kick Fizz balances taste, experience, and safety.The unique challenges of consumer education in a category that’s still new to many drinkers.And finally, where Julie sees the future of THC beverages heading in the next few years—from retail placement to mainstream adoption.It’s a fascinating look at innovation, regulation, and the business of bringing a completely new beverage category to market.Want to learn more? Connect with Julie@KickBeverages.com. Sign up for the beer industry financial training newsletter.

November 6, 202548 min

How to Build Financial Accountability Across Your Beer Wholesaler Team

Financial results shouldn’t live only in the accounting office, they belong to every department. In this podcast, I'll share how beer wholesalers can build a culture of financial accountability by giving managers the tools, training, and systems to understand and own their numbers. You’ll learn how to provide financial literacy education, involve department leaders in high-involvement planning, and run regular financial huddles that turn data into action. The result: smarter decisions, stronger engagement, and better bottom-line performance across your entire operation.P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the free weekly financial training newsletter specifically created for beer wholesalers.

October 31, 202533 min

The Beer Distributor Tax Playbook: Credits, Deductions & Smart Planning

In today's episode, we hear from RJ Martucci, Partner and Co-Lead of the Food & Beverage Practice at PKF O’Connor Davies, to break down the latest tax rules and strategies affecting beer wholesalers. From entity structure and depreciation rules to credits, incentives, and estate planning, RJ shares practical guidance to help wholesalers reduce taxes, avoid surprises, and build long-term value. If you want to keep more cash in your business — both now and when it’s time to exit — this episode is for you.Connect with RJ Martucci - RMartucci@pkfod.comGet the beer industry financial training weekly briefing.

October 18, 202555 min

The State of Beer: Economic Trends Every Wholesaler Needs to Know

In today's podcast we dig into the "state of beer" with economist Lester Jones, separating structural shifts from cyclical noise and outlining a practical playbook to drive sales growth. From broken pricing elasticity to on-premise strategy and demographics, we share data and specific moves.Key Topics: • industry volumes down and dollars soft • structural vs cyclical drivers shaping demand • beer purchasers’ index sentiment and signals • pricing power fading and elasticity reset • on-premise momentum, draft advantages, happy hour value • occasion-led strategy with low and no alcohol • demographics by life stage, not generations • policy confusion on tariffs and taxation • action playbook for wholesalers and brewersResources: Join the October 23rd webinar with FinTech and NBWA - Register HereGet the FREE beer business finance newsletter - financial intel delivered straight to your inbox

October 11, 202554 min

Inside the Audit Room: Lessons from Reyes Holdings for Wholesaler Success

A CFO who became a head of marketing, eliminated millions in debt, and then built a company to fix distribution blind spots—Doug Veliky’s journey is a masterclass in making beer businesses sturdier and smarter. We dig into the decisions that actually move the needle: building an internal audit team at Reyes that focused on real compliance risk, redesigning systems at Revolution to produce market-level P&Ls, and consolidating a spaghetti bowl of loans into a revolving line that turned heavy debt into daily cash efficiency. That financial clarity paved the way for a bold move—buying the production facility—and gave the brewery control over the investments that shape its future.We also get honest about how teams work. Doug shows how finance, sales, and marketing can stop talking past each other by aligning on the data each team needs: shipments, depletions, pull-through. The result? Better forecasts, fewer surprises, and programs that actually show up on the shelf and in the tap list. Doug's Beer Crunchers platform ties it all together, translating the mechanics of distributors, portfolios, and pricing into stories and tactics people at every level can use. And when the world flipped, Doug brought a finance brain to digital marketing—prioritizing audience, cadence, and measurable impact.Looking forward, Doug sees moderation evolving beyond non-alcoholic beer into “small beers” and right-sized formats that meet the moment—2.8–3.8% ABV cores and 8.4-ounce packs that fit weekday occasions without losing the ritual. The catch is prioritization: make it a pillar or skip it. We close with BrightBev, where Doug helps emerging brands choose the right distributors, set expectations, and invest alongside partners to win velocity, not just placements. If you care about beer business finance, route-to-market strategy, and building brands that last, this conversation will sharpen your plan for the next four quarters. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what will you prioritize next?And don't forget to sign up for the Wholesaler Financial Newsletter - tips, tactics, and strategies to help you build a more profitable brewery business.

July 14, 202555 min

Maximizing Profit with VxP: Beer Wholesaler Tools for Growth and Efficiency

In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of our workshop on how to grow sales, increase gross profits and reduced finished product loss. In this session, you’ll learn how to:Increase gross profit using the powerful VxP toolReduce finished product loss through more efficient inventory managementIdentify key opportunities to grow top-line salesKey TakeawaysGain actionable insights for boosting gross profitLearn how VxP can transform your business operationsGet practical, real-world strategies you can implement immediatelyDo this next...Watch the replay...Boosting Profit and Sales with VxPConnect with Bud Dunn from VxP, bud@vxptech.comLearn more about the network of beer wholesaler owners and managersworking together to improve cash flow and profitability

June 19, 20251 hr 0 min

Captive Insurance: The Beer Distributor's Secret Weapon

Health insurance costs are spiraling out of control for many beer wholesalers, with annual increases of 5-10% that seem impossible to escape. But what if there was a better way? What if you could not only stop these relentless increases but actually reduce costs while improving benefits?Erin Butler from BevCap Management reveals how beer distributors across the country are doing exactly that through captive health insurance plans.This isn't just a minor cost adjustment – it's a fundamental reimagining of how wholesalers approach healthcare coverage. The numbers speak volumes: traditional fully-funded plans average $1,590 per employee monthly, while BevCap's captive members pay just $861. For a 100-employee distribution business, that's annual savings approaching $900,000.The captive model works particularly well for beer wholesalers because of their homogeneous workforce – predominantly younger males who typically require less healthcare. By pooling resources across multiple distributors (currently covering about 15,000 lives), the captive gains extraordinary leverage with providers while creating a protective buffer between individual businesses and catastrophic claims.Beyond pure cost savings, distributors gain unprecedented transparency and control. Members receive detailed claims data that traditional insurers withhold, enabling informed decisions about plan design and cost containment. Innovative approaches like direct provider contracting and specialized pharmacy management have yielded remarkable results – pharmacy costs alone have dropped 40% for participating members.The most successful wholesalers in the program take an active role, educating employees about benefits, implementing preventative health initiatives, and participating in the collaborative governance structure that guides the captive. This engagement transforms healthcare from an uncontrollable expense into a strategic advantage that strengthens both the bottom line and employee satisfaction.Ready to explore whether a captive health insurance plan could benefit your beer distribution business? Contact Erin Butler at BevCap Management to receive a personalized analysis of your potential savings and learn how joining forces with other wholesalers could fundamentally change your approach to employee healthcare.Connect with Erin Butler at BevCap to learn more: ebutler@bevcapmanagement.com, c: 817-343-4651