The Data-Driven Brewery: AI, Insights & What’s Next from Beer30

In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Gore, VP of Sales & Marketing at Beer30, to talk about the upcoming American Craft Beer Hall of Fame induction ceremony  and what today’s high-performing breweries can learn from the legends of our industry.

We explore how leading breweries are using data management not just to “keep records,” but to gain a true competitive edge. 

From tighter inventory control and margin visibility to AI-powered forecasting and smarter decision-making, data discipline is separating the breweries that survive from those that thrive in a maturing market.

Aaron also shares insights on three major initiatives coming soon from Beer30  and what they signal about the future of operational intelligence in craft beer.

✅ Actionable Takeaways

1️⃣ Treat Data as a Strategic Asset — Not Just Recordkeeping
High-performing breweries don’t just collect data — they structure it, review it consistently, and use it to drive pricing, production planning, inventory control, and profitability decisions.

2️⃣ Build a Single Source of Truth
Disconnected spreadsheets and siloed systems create confusion. The best breweries integrate accounting, production, and inventory data so everyone operates from the same numbers.

3️⃣ Use AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement
AI tools can help analyze trends, forecast demand, flag anomalies, and generate insights faster — but they work best when clean, organized data feeds them. Garbage in, garbage out still applies.

4️⃣ Create a Weekly Data Review Rhythm
Competitive breweries establish weekly operational and financial huddles where key metrics are reviewed, variances are discussed, and decisions are made quickly — before small issues become big problems.

5️⃣ Invest in Systems That Scale with You
Whether it’s inventory management, production planning, or forecasting tools, investing in scalable systems early allows breweries to grow efficiently instead of rebuilding their back office every few years.

Resources

• Connect with Aaron - aaron.gore@the5thingredient.com 
• Get the Brewery Profit Bulletin - tips, tactics and strategies to build a more profitable 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.