Athletic Brewing Co.’s Post

How does the beer industry navigate a cost of living crisis? I'll be honest, for some reason there's definitely been a bit more positivity in the air. Perhaps it's the warmer weather bringing out the best in us, or maybe, just maybe, the thought of a new government and the potential to get the country back on its feet has people in a better mindset. But we're still left with a lot of that baggage, and the same issues that have been dragging the beer and hospitality industries down: the rising cost of everything from raw materials to energy and utilities; razor thin margins and access to market being continuously eroded away by a handful of multinationals; new duty laws that we've still not quite got our heads around; a shrinking consumer base as people remain cash-strapped, or prefer to spend their money on alternative beverages or luxury pursuits; a younger generation just not that interested in beer. How this is affecting small breweries is the latest subject of my podcast for Pellicle — a panel discussion hosted by my co-founder Jonny Hamilton, and featuring panellists from Simple Things Fermentations, Neptune Brewery and REDWILLOW BREWERY LTD. It's a compelling listen, not just for the fact we try to make sense of these challenges, but for the genuine ire and frustration with everything that comes from our panel. It's a great bit of insight and well worth an hour of your time. You can listen via all good streaming platforms, or direct on the Pellicle site itself right here:

Ep. 70 - Brewing Success: A New Era of Beverages Craft beer enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and curious minds alike won't want to miss our lively chat with Dr. Jesse Core, the visionary behind Scarlet Letter Beverage Company. Jesse shares his incredible journey from a college passion for brewing to establishing Core Beer in 2009, amidst the challenges of the Great Recession. With anecdotes brimming with laughter and wisdom, Jesse unravels the highs and lows of his business ventures, including the rapid rise and near-collapse of his pub endeavors. This episode promises a glimpse into the resilience and creativity required to turn a side hobby into a thriving enterprise. In a spirited exploration of the beverage industry's dynamic landscape, Jesse guides us through the evolution of craft beer and the exciting innovations in hard seltzers and teas. Hear first-hand about the challenges small brewers face in a market dominated by giants, and the satisfaction derived from crafting unique, personal brews. We reflect on the peculiarities of the craft beer scene, from inconsistent service to quirky beer flavors, while emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the thrill of creating something truly new. Finally, our discussion broadens to the symbiotic relationship between academia and business. Jesse, who also teaches at Walton College of Business, offers heartfelt insights into the joys of mentoring future entrepreneurs. Full episode: https://lnkd.in/gqVez94M Mark Zweig | Eric Howerton | Dr. Jesse Core | Scarlet Letter Beverage Co. | PodcastVideos.com

In this episode of The Beverage Biz podcast, we sit down with Christopher Sadler, visionary of Three Roads Brewing Company and Ballad Brewing and President of Allegiancy, a commercial real estate investment firm, to dive deep into the business-side of building a brewery powerhouse in Virginia. Chris shares his unique journey from real estate to brewing, his approach to building not one but two beloved beer brands in Virginia, and how he balances the challenges of managing separate identities under one vision. Plus, we got to hear his take on where he sees craft beer heading. If you're curious about the intersection of business, branding, and beer, this is an episode for you. #Beer #Marketing #Branding

🎧 NA Beer Podcast Recommendation 🎧 I spent a bit of my down time this evening diving into the most recent podcast from Kary Shumway and Craft Brewery Financial Training, as he hosted Dave Williams of BUMP Williams Consulting to discuss the latest data-driven insights around the NA Beer Market -- Even for someone who reads a lot about the state of the NA market, there were definitely a number of fantastic insights, so a huge shoutout to Kary and Dave for taking the time. Here are some of my favorite insights from the conversation: □ US NA Beer Market: Reaching 1.5 to 2million bbls per year ▪ ABI, Heineken and Athletic make up about 2/3rds of the US NA beer market -- a bit of a surprise for me as I would have sworn that Guiness/Diageo would be on this list. ▻ Since 2020 to now, the category is up 30-40% YOY (dollars and volume), with strongest growth focused on off premise, especially grocery ◘ NA beer is now larger than cider when it comes to off prem in terms of dollar sales ❥ Why all this growth? Dave leans into the fact that there is such a high rate of "incrementality", enabling people to drink beer when they normally wouldn't, along with those who are "zebra striping" (supplementing). I could agree more! Thanks again for taking the time to record the conversation gentleman. Full podcast episode: https://lnkd.in/e4tHGpCa #NAdata #NAbev #NAbeer #NAbusiness #NonAlcoholic

In our latest interview with Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewery, we dive into the creative journey that set his brewery apart in the craft beer landscape. Sam reflects on the challenges of starting with limited resources and how he revolutionized brewing by incorporating unexpected culinary ingredients. "How can we make our mark nationally even as the smallest brewery in the country?" Discover the grit behind the glory and the passion that fuels innovation in the craft beer industry. Don't miss this insightful conversation! #CraftBeerInnovation #DogfishHeadJourney #BrewingCreativity #PodcastInsight

Exciting News! Dive into our latest podcast episode featuring Ohio’s top breweries! Discover the stories behind your favorite local brews and learn about the impact of water quality on brewing. Tune in for insights from industry leaders and find out how they’re shaping the future of Ohio’s craft beer scene. 🎧

Of course Beny Ashburn, CEO of Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., led an incredible #craftbrewersconference keynote conversation with Uncle Nearest founder and chief Fawn Weaver, who talked about her company’s come up (the most awarded American whiskey, at a $1 billion+ valuation), the importance of leading confidently from your gut, how small isn’t a virtue (indeed, sounds like they’re about to announce another acquisition), and how things aren’t gonna get easier in the industry, so buckle up and hunker down, or get out. I will never forget this conversation. Some of my favorite quotes from this chat: -“I turned down $2 billion in 2022 to stay independent, remain independent. All of my days.” -“I did the opposite.” -“Uncle Nearest is so important because we now know him to be the first known African American master distiller …but there’s not a chance he was the first.” -“America is 70% women and people of color. How is it possible that there has never been any of us to rise to the top, to found to lead and to own a spirit brand, in an industry that has been a part of this country for over 400 years?” -“If you stay small too long, you’ll die or you’ll have to be acquired … what’s the harm in dreaming bigger?” -“I had to raise $230 million… what beer brand would need to do that? ” -"The DNA for me, is knowing who I am. I am first and foremost a child of the most high God." -“I keep a screenshot [of] when my bank account was negative 1.4 million." -“I made sure from day one, everybody was included.” -“I want everybody. Every single weekend our tours are sold out…I can look out of my window and see a Trump supporter. I can see an Obama supporter. I can ... I still don't know what the Biden supporters look like." -"In a couple of weeks we'll have an announcement come out about another craft spirit brand ... that we're acquiring, finishing up the due diligence. ... So now people will figure out, 'Okay, she started with whiskey, they've already announced they're adding Cognac.' ... And if y'all see me in Jalisco, just know: I'm putting down roots." -[On the early days of building the brand]: "Every single place I would show up, those 10 or 20 people, or 30 people, who would show up to hear me speak? They were moved. They were really touched. And they'd come up to me with tears in their eyes. And at the beginning I didn't get it. I was like, 'Y'all, this is whiskey. Why the hell are y'all cryin?'" -"Knowing so many people that have multi-billion dollar companies now, I can tell you: It doesn't get easier as the sales go up, as there's more money. ... The higher you go up, the thinner the air is, the more difficult it is for you to breathe. "... It does not get easier. So if you're looking to get through this moment for 'easy' -- drop out now. If you're going to the next level for purpose, let nobody knock you off that mountain that you're climbing." More from the quotable Fawn Weaver and Beny Ashburn in tomorrow's BBD.

What's the secret sauce that makes smaller breweries pop on the radar and stay there? 🤔 Well, from chatting with some players over the last few months, it's clear: they're not going solo. The real winners in the brewery game are those who blend brewing genius with sharp sales and marketing strategies. Here’s the real kicker—successful breweries aren't just about passion for the pint; they're built like businesses from the ground up. They think product and pitch. It’s a dynamic duo of great brews backed by great branding and sales tactics. You see, having a partner or a team that nails the marketing and selling part is crucial. It doesn't matter how stellar your beer is if nobody's heard of it, right? If you're running a brewery and haven't yet hit the sweet spot with marketing and sales, consider this a friendly nudge. Either buff up your own skills or team up with folks who can. Because, let’s face it, fading into the background isn't an option. 💪🍻 #BreweryBusiness #CraftBeerGrowth #BeerMarketing

Not many people will get this question right: What is the top selling beer in Whole Foods? If you guessed the non-alochic beer brand, Athletic Brewing, let me know below! Most people don't realize this but non alcoholic beer has been growing like crazy. When Athletic Brewing started, the market barely existed. It is rare to uncover a brand that has grown its own category. In this week's episode of Ecommerce on Tap, we dive into the ins and outs of what's made Athletic Brewing a success: 🥇 Athletic Brewing sprinted past the 'bland' stigma of NA beers, carving out a healthy, low-carb drink for those with active lifestyles. 🏃 Bill's marathon running and athletic background sparked the genius idea for Athletic Brewing, changing the non-alcoholic landscape one finish line at a time. 📈 From a triumphant $2.5 million in year one to a victorious $60 million in 2022, Athletic Brewing's expansion from coast to coast is nothing short of a homebrew success story. 🕰️ The journey wasn't overnight: Years spent trying to craft the perfect NA brew. 🌐 Where to now: Acquisition? An IPO? Whatever lies ahead, the NA category as a whole is growing. This story goes to show how building up your own market category can be a winning approach. Click the link in the first comment below to listen!

New Podcast | Vinnie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Company In the world of beer, there are a number of real positives when it comes to working for, or running, a brewery. Creating something that people enjoy, savour and value is a goal in any artistic venture. And in ownership, so is the ability to provide employment, development and satisfaction to your team. Another purpose for many businesses is the ability to affect a change. Breweries are often the beating heart of local communities. They can offer a place to frequent, to socialise and where possible, also have a positive impact on the local economy they form part of. In the case of Russian River Brewing Company, they do just that. And with the release of the modern phenomenon that is Pliny The Younger, their annual sought-after Triple IPA, on the horizon, what better time to catch up with co-founder Vinnie Cilurzo who, along with his business partner and wife Natalie, is the co-founder of the California business. In this episode he shares his observations on the changing brewing landscape, the importance of community and his love of working with different ingredients. We also talked about the importance of maintaining a strong identity, integrity and, in an age of countless beer styles, why Russian River will continue doing what it does best – and that’s “staying in its lane” making the beers people love. Photo Credit: Russian River Brewing Company Production: Ross Macpherson https://lnkd.in/eZAfVEcS