Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast

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199

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May 2026

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Financial Intel Brewed Daily

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May 29, 202659 min

Turning Loyalty Into Profit: The Taproom Growth Playbook with Tapwyse

What separates taprooms with loyal regulars and predictable revenue from those constantly chasing new customers? In this episode, we break down how breweries can use loyalty programs to increase visit frequency, boost average check size, smooth out midweek traffic, and create stronger customer relationships. Featuring real-world examples and practical strategies from the Taproom Growth Playbook workshop, this conversation explores how modern loyalty systems can become a true profit driver - not just another "mug club" or “points program.”Key Takeaways:Loyalty programs work best when they are tied to specific customer behaviors you want more of - like weekday visits, customer referrals, or visiting to try new beer releases.Digital mug clubs and app-based rewards can create recurring revenue while strengthening long-term customer engagement.The best loyalty programs start with one clear goal: increasing traffic, boosting spend, improving retention, or generating referrals — then building rewards around that objective.ResourcesLearn more about TapwyseGet the Brewery Profit Brief - weekly tips, tactics and strategies to 10x taproom profitsThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

May 22, 202647 min

Brewery Intelligence: KPIs, Dashboards, and Better Decisions

In this episode, I talk with Jeremy Carney from Central Coast Analytics about how breweries can use better data, dashboards, and financial analytics to make smarter business decisions. We explore the biggest reporting blind spots breweries face, how to combine information from multiple software systems into one clear picture, and which KPIs brewery owners should actually pay attention to each week. Jeremy also shares real-world examples of how breweries are uncovering hidden profit opportunities through better reporting and visualization tools.Key Takeaways:Most breweries already have valuable data, but the challenge is organizing it into actionable insights that managers can actually use.Weekly KPI tracking can help breweries spot problems and opportunities long before month-end financial statements arrive.Dashboards and visual reporting tools simplify complex brewery data and improve team accountability and decision-making.Clean, accurate, and timely data is essential for meaningful financial analysis and forecasting.Better analytics can uncover hidden opportunities in pricing, product mix, labor efficiency, inventory management, and taproom performance.ResourcesConnect with Jeremy, jeremy@centralcoast-analytics.com Get the Brewery Profit Brief - tips, tactics and strategies to grow brewery cash flowThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

May 15, 202658 min

The Financial Playbook for Profitable Breweries

In this episode, Jake Lohse and I break down “The Financial Playbook for Profitable Breweries” - a practical framework for brewery owners who want to move beyond survival mode and build a more profitable, financially disciplined business. The conversation explores the financial realities of running a brewery, the key metrics that matter at each stage of growth, and the systems, dashboards, and routines that successful breweries use to make smarter decisions. From cash flow forecasting and break-even analysis to budgeting, segmented financials, and weekly KPI scorecards, the episode delivers a step-by-step roadmap for installing a brewery financial operating system that drives clarity, accountability, and profitability.Key TakeawaysMost brewery struggles are due to lack of financial systemsGreat beer and branding are not enough. Many breweries fail because they lack financial visibility, clear metrics, and a disciplined operating cadence.Different growth stages require different financial prioritiesStartup breweries should focus on survival and cash flow, stabilization-stage breweries need systems and process discipline, and scaling breweries must prioritize profitable growth and consistent net operating income.Weekly financial rhythms outperform monthly financial surprisesSuccessful breweries track key numbers daily and weekly through dashboards, scorecards, and financial huddles instead of waiting for month-end financial statements.Cash flow management is a core survival skillThe presentation emphasizes weekly cash flow forecasting, budgeting discipline, and understanding cash flow drivers as critical tools for staying financially healthy.Profitability must become intentionalThe session encourages brewery owners to “begin with the end in mind” by setting clear financial goals, building KPI scorecards, segmenting retail vs. wholesale performance, and using data to guide decisions instead of instinct alone.ResourcesConnect with Jake Lohse at Jake@PresidentialBrewing.com Get the Brewery Profit Brief - tips, tactics and strategies to run a more profitable breweryThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

May 9, 202636 min

Smart Scaling for Breweries: Inside the Contract Brewing Model

In this episode, we hear from Devon Hamilton, Director of Operations at Paradox Brewery, to break down the evolving world of contract brewing and why more breweries are using strategic production partnerships to grow without overextending themselves. Devon shares practical insights on scaling operations, maintaining beer quality, evaluating expansion decisions, and avoiding common mistakes breweries make when entering contract brewing relationships. The conversation also explores how contract brewing can support growth opportunities, improve operational flexibility, and help breweries navigate tighter margins in today’s craft beer environment.Key TakeawaysContract brewing can help breweries grow sales and distribution without taking on major capital investments or expansion risk.Successful partnerships depend on strong onboarding, communication, forecasting, and clear operational expectations.Quality control and recipe consistency become critical when scaling production across facilities.Breweries should carefully evaluate the “build vs outsource” decision based on cash flow, utilization, staffing, and long-term strategy.The future of contract brewing may include growing opportunities in private label products, non-alcoholic beverages, RTDs, and regional production partnerships.ResourcesLearn more about Paradox Brewery's contract brew servicesGet the Brewery Profit Brief - weekly tips and tactics to improve cash flow and profitabilityThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

April 23, 202644 min

Brewery Benchmarks That Drive Profits: The Numbers Every Brewery Should Track

Benchmarking is one of the most powerful—and underused—tools in a brewery. In this episode, we break down how brewery owners and managers can turn complex financial statements into simple, actionable scorecards that drive better decisions.You'll learn how top breweries use key metrics, industry benchmarks, and weekly financial meetings to identify profit leaks early, improve margins, and strengthen cash flow. Instead of waiting for month-end financial reports, breweries can install a simple financial operating system that provides real-time visibility into the numbers that truly matter.Key TakeawaysWhy financial statements alone aren’t enoughMonthly reports are often backward-looking and complex. A simple benchmark scorecard provides real-time visibility and early warning signals.The small set of metrics that truly drive brewery profitabilityNumbers like EBITDA, debt service coverage, gross margin, and key cash-flow drivers help determine whether the business model is sustainable.How to build a simple weekly financial scorecardFocus on just 3–5 key metrics per department to track performance, identify gaps, and drive accountability across the team.The Financial Operating System breweries should installThe cycle is simple: set targets → measure performance → identify gaps → take action → report results weekly.How leading breweries use benchmarking to stay aheadTop breweries track margins, cash, sales velocity, and marketing ROI to make faster decisions and protect profitability.ResourcesSign up for the Brewery Profit Brief - Clear Numbers, Cash Flow Clarity, and One Practical Action to Improve Your Brewery's Profit Get the free mini-course Brewery Key Performance Indicators - scorecards, templates and best practices to improve your most important numbersTake the Brewery Financial Health Check - A quick self-assessment that shows where your brewery stands on the key drivers of profitabilityThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

April 15, 202631 min

Cash is King: Sam Calagione on Building (and Scaling) Dogfish Head

In this episode, Sam Calagione shares the journey of building Dogfish Head Craft Brewery from the smallest commercial brewery in America to a nationally recognized brand. Sam shares how he started the business with $220,000 in personal loans, navigated decades of growth, and balanced creativity with financial discipline. He discusses key decisions around capital, distribution, and profitability, along with lessons learned from missed opportunities and strategic bets. The conversation also dives into the merger with Boston Beer Company, the importance of cultural alignment, and Sam’s perspective on the evolving craft beer landscape and what lies ahead.🍺 Key TakeawaysStart Small, but Think Long-Term FinanciallyDogfish Head began with limited capital, but growth was supported through a mix of bank financing, investors, and disciplined reinvestment over time.Growth + Profitability Can CoexistThe company achieved 15 consecutive years of top-line growth while improving EBITDA - proving that scaling doesn’t have to come at the expense of profitability.Taproom & Direct Sales Should Come FirstFor today’s breweries, maximizing on-site sales and margins is critical before expanding into wider distribution.Strategic Decisions (and Mistakes) MatterMissed investments—like delaying a canning line—highlight how timing and capital allocation can significantly impact long-term results.The Right Partnership Is About More Than MoneyThe Boston Beer merger worked because of strong cultural alignment, shared values, and continued founder involvement - not just financial upside.ResourcesGet the FREE Brewery Profit Brief - tips, tactics and strategies to build a more profitable beer businessThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

April 9, 202642 min

Breweries: How to Build a Culture of Financial Accountability

In today's podcast, you’ll learn how to turn your numbers into a real-time management system. We’ll show you how to identify the few key metrics that matter, assign clear ownership across your team, and install a simple weekly rhythm that turns financial data into action so you can improve performance before the month is over, not after it’s too late.Key Takeaways:How to build a focused weekly scorecard (3–5 key metrics)A clear, simplified set of numbers your team can influence in real timeTactics to create clear ownership across your organizationLearn how to assign “one name on each number,” so every key metric has accountabilityHow to install a repeatable financial huddle systemA simple weekly meeting structure that turns numbers into conversations, conversations into decisions, and decisions into resultsTips to create stronger alignment between operations and financial outcomesConnect daily actions (sales, ops, inventory, collections) directly to financial results so your team understands how their work drives profitResourcesGet the Brewery Profit Brief - weekly tips, tactics and strategies to build a more profitable breweryThis episode is brought to you by Secret Hopper. One of the hardest things in the beer business is seeing your business through your customer’s eyes. Secret Hopper helps breweries uncover what guests actually experience from first impressions and service to cleanliness, atmosphere, and whether guests are likely to come back. Their mystery shopping and customer feedback tools give you practical insights and action steps to improve the guest experience and drive repeat visits. To lReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

April 2, 202654 min

From Chaos to Clarity: Smarter Brewery Production Planning with Data & Forecasting

Production planning is one of the bigger challenges in brewing. In this episode, Jeremy Carney from Central Coast Analytics and Dru Ernst from Dru Bru break down how breweries can move from reactive, spreadsheet-driven decisions to proactive, data-powered planning.You’ll hear a real-world case study from Dru Bru, explore how forecasting by brand, package, and channel actually works, and learn how better planning directly impacts cash flow, margins, and operational efficiency. We also look ahead at how AI is beginning to shape the future of brewery production decisions.🎯 Key TakeawaysWhy production planning is a hidden profit leakPoor planning leads to excess inventory, stockouts, lost sales, and tied-up cash, often without breweries realizing the true financial impact.What most breweries are doing today (and why it’s not enough)Many breweries rely on manual processes, gut instinct, and disconnected spreadsheets, creating inefficiencies and costly mistakes.How data-driven forecasting changes the gamePlanning by SKU, package, and sales channel gives breweries real visibility into demand, allowing for smarter brewing and inventory decisions.Real-world results from Dru Bru’s transformationMoving to a structured, data-informed system improved visibility, reduced guesswork, and enabled better in-season decision-making.Where AI fits and the practical first step to get startedAI is about better recommendations. The first step is getting clean, usable data and a consistent planning process.ResourcesConnect with Jeremy, jeremy@centralcoast-analytics.com and Dru, dru@drubru.com Get the Brewery Profit Brief - short, actionable insights to drive profitabilityReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

March 26, 202636 min

Behind Every Profitable Brewery: Solid Bookkeeping

In this episode, I sit down with Marc Rice of Brytos Accounting Services to talk about something that sounds simple, but is often a mess behind the scenes: brewery bookkeeping. Marc shares what he sees when he opens up a new client’s QuickBooks file for the first time - liabilities showing up as revenue, duplicate expenses from bank sync errors, unreconciled accounts, and charts of accounts that make it nearly impossible to understand what’s actually happening in the business. We dig into why complete, accurate, and timely reporting isn’t just about compliance, it’s about decision-making. Marc explains how a properly structured chart of accounts, clear separation of business segments using classes, and regular weekly reconciliations can dramatically improve financial clarity. We also discuss when it makes sense to outsource bookkeeping, how to assess whether your books are healthy, and why clean financials are the foundation for improving margins, cash flow, and long-term profitability.Key TakeawaysReconcile Weekly, Not Just MonthlyDon’t wait until month-end. Weekly bank and credit card reconciliations prevent duplicate entries, missing transactions, and costly clean-up work later .Design a Chart of Accounts That Works for a BreweryYour chart of accounts should separate taproom, wholesale, and other segments clearly—and properly classify COGS, labor, and overhead so you can see true margins .Watch for Common Brewery Bookkeeping MistakesBe on alert for liabilities recorded as revenue, double-entered expenses from bank feeds, and unreconciled accounts—these distort profitability and cash flow .Use QuickBooks Classes (or Similar Tools) to Separate Business SegmentsSegment reporting helps you see which channels (taproom, distribution, events) are driving profit and which need attention .Outsource When You’re Wearing Too Many HatsIf bookkeeping is something you “get to when you can,” it’s probably time to bring in a specialist who understands brewery accounting .ResourcesGet the Brewery Profit Brief - tips, tactics, and strategies to create more profit and better cash flow in your brewery.Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

March 19, 202633 min

Loyalty That Pays: Turning Taproom Fans into Recurring Revenue

Today we chat with Ross Stensrud from Tapwyse and explore how modern brewery loyalty programs are evolving far beyond the traditional “mug club.” Ross shares exciting performance data from Tapwyse breweries, including a 387% increase in app installs and a 418% surge in membership revenue year-over-year, along with insights into how breweries can now quantify the estimated revenue impact of rewards programs . The conversation highlights how breweries are using real-time dashboards to measure membership revenue, reward value, and guest engagement in ways that turn loyalty from a “nice idea” into a measurable profit driver.Ross and Kary also discuss what separates breweries that succeed with loyalty programs from those that struggle. The key themes: staff buy-in, active marketing campaigns, data-driven decision making, and operational simplicity. Rather than relying on gut instinct, Ross emphasizes the power of using app data to identify top guests, track recurring revenue, and refine marketing strategies. Together, we make the case that loyalty programs—when structured and promoted correctly—can become a meaningful recurring revenue stream and a powerful tool to smooth seasonal revenue swings.Key Takeaways:Track Revenue, Not Just Sign-Ups: Measure estimated reward value, recurring membership revenue, and average tab size to understand the true financial impact of your loyalty program.Use Push Messages Strategically: Data shows strong engagement (including high visit rates per push message) and intentional communication drives repeat traffic.Create a Dynamic Rewards Model: Move beyond static mug clubs to systems that reward repeat behavior and build long-term belonging.Set Clear Membership Goals: Establish targets for monthly and annual membership sales, track progress on a dashboard, and adjust campaigns accordingly.Drive Staff Buy-In: Train your team to promote the program, personalize guest interactions, and make reward redemption easy.ResourcesLearn more about Tapwyse and schedule a demoGet the Brewery Profit Brief - tips, tactics and strategies to run a more profitable brewery businessReady to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.