

Craft Beer Professionals
Craft Beer Professionals
Craft Beer Professionals is a national network dedicated to the growth and betterment of the craft beer industry. CBP unifies and elevates the industry through educational content, peer to peer dialogue, and unique community events.
Educational sessions, interviews, and panel conversations that dive into critical topics in the craft beer industry.
[Stay up to date with CBP]
www.CraftBeerProfessionals.org
Educational sessions, interviews, and panel conversations that dive into critical topics in the craft beer industry.
[Stay up to date with CBP]
www.CraftBeerProfessionals.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2024 • 46min
Practical HR: Let's make the people part of the business more efficient
Managing people is hard, regardless of the business - then we through alcohol into the mix and our laid back industry culture.
Bring your note book, this functional conversation will give you action items in the three key buckets:
1. People
Yes, you can have both great employees and a great product. My top tips to lead people with transparency and respect - that may sound basic, but it's become complicated in the new legal framework. We'll talk foundational people things, that will help you when awkward conversations happen down the road (like why X is paid more than Y, or why employee X doesn't get X shift...why doesn't X clock in and out but I have to?)
2. Policy
Four must haves for my clients including how to look at your Handbook today - and make a tweak to protect your business.
3. Procedure
HR typically lives with the business owner or GM, and is really executed by managers. We'll talk practical procedures for managers to walk the walk and make the people part of the business more efficient. I'll debunk some administrative myths (no - it doesn't have to be fancy "performance management" documentation to say the write up happened...) and other ways you can stay on the floor while engaging your people team on expectations.
Jessica Hart is an experienced HR leader with a knack for simplifying complex issues. With an MBA and a background navigating post-merger people stuff with Heineken and The Lagunitas Brewing Company, she’s navigated organizational restructures, compliance, and employee relations with employees in nearly all 50 states. Specializing in breweries and wineries, Jessica excels in supporting cultures where employees wear multiple hats. Known for her practical approach, Jessica is a sought-after speaker on HR trends and risk mitigation. Outside work, she loves hiking northern California with her husband and their toddler on the weekends and planning trips back to the Mid West to visit in-laws.
Join us in-person for CBP Connects
Half workshop, half networking
San Diego, CA | December 10-12, 2024
Grab your spot now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cbp-connects-san-diego-presented-by-arryved-pos-december-10-12-2024-tickets-924272181977?aff=oddtdtcreator

Jul 3, 2024 • 59min
Giving It Up! Why I Left a Successful Career to Work in Beer
Where did you come from? Where did you go? So often, we only know our peers as "owner at Brewery ABC" or "taproom manager at XYZ Brewing Company." However, we all have stories. In this conversation, we will hear from several Craft Beer Professionals who left successful careers to be part of the beer industry. We will learn about their past lives, their motivation for leaving, what they learned from their prior profession, and discuss the impact it has had on their time in beverage.
This conversation features:
-Brad Klatt (Former engineer; Uncommon Loon Brewing)
-Devon Callan (Former commercial banker; Batesville Market)
-Kenny Van Hook (Former architect, Elation Brewing)
-Kyle Manns (Former music engineer, Western Collective),
-Sarah Perez (Former medical technician, Susitna Brewing Company)
Join us in-person for CBP Connects
Half workshop, half networking
San Diego, CA | December 10-12, 2024
Grab your spot now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cbp-connects-san-diego-presented-by-arryved-pos-december-10-12-2024-tickets-924272181977?aff=oddtdtcreator

Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 1min
Leading Yourself to Success
In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to gain practical tips and powerful strategies to elevate their self-leadership. Learn how to shift your mindset, tap into your emotional intelligence, and establish daily habits that will allow you to lead yourself more effectively with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Through engaging content and actionable insights, you'll uncover your potential, navigate any and all challenges with ease, and achieve remarkable results in every aspect of your career and life. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and unlock the leader within you!
Hakim is Florida's #1 Transformational Leadership Coach who, prior to launching his own coaching practice, spent nearly two decades working with senior leaders, developing professional and executive education programs at institutions such as the American Bar Association, Harvard Law School and the University of Miami School of Law. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for managing teams (big and small, domestic and international), always intimately involved in some aspect of coaching, advising, or professional development. Hakim is an NLP-certified executive coach who is also certified in Emotional Intelligence, Conversational Hypnosis, T.I.M.E. (time integration for maximum empowerment) Techniques, EFT Tapping as well as Success and Life Coaching. He incorporates his love of learning and rich experience into his commitment of raising the awareness of leaders to effectively lead themselves and others with clarity, confidence and compassion!
Stay up to date with CBP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/kgRIXUf/cbp

Jun 22, 2024 • 43min
FU** Your Brewery: How Lady Justice Brewing Funded Their New Space
Join CBP, Brewery Finance, and Lady Justice Brewing for a discussion on the world of beer, money, and opportunity in the current environment. We'll talk about the current environment for financing breweries and how Brewery Finance and Lady Justice Brewing worked together on Lady J's recent move to a new location.
Rick Wehner founded Brewery Finance in 2005 and has provided equipment financing and working capital to thousands of small, independent breweries over the last 19 years.
Today, Lady Justice Brewing is owned by Betsy Lay and her wife, Alison Wisneski. It functions as a community-focused brewery dedicating time, space, and money to nonprofits and community partners that support and empower women, girls, and nonbinary people in the state of Colorado.
Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.org/

Jun 19, 2024 • 51min
What's Going on in WA Beer?
In our "What's Going on in..." series. We will partner with State Guilds to spotlight their current successes, challenges, and trends. There is so much we can learn from one another and we hope these conversations can provide you with valuable insights applicable to your state.
Next up: Washington
This conversation features:
Daniel Olson (WA Brewers Guild, Executive Director)
Robyn Schumacher (Stoup Brewing, Co-Owner/Brewer and WBG Board of Directors)
Shawna Cormier (WA Brewers Guild, Director of Membership and Events)
Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.org/

Jun 15, 2024 • 40min
Crafting Connections: Navigating the Evolution of Beer Festivals and Beyond
In a world where the landscape of beer festivals is rapidly changing, "Crafting Connections" explores the necessity for evolution in these beloved events. Beyond the traditional focus on beer, this seminar delves into the broader spectrum of beverages and experiences that are reshaping the festival scene. From innovative additions like cideries and distilleries to the incorporation of live music on grand stages, attendees will gain insights into the shifting dynamics of beer festivals. Moreover, the seminar addresses the critical issue of connecting brewers directly with consumers, highlighting the importance of guild-run events in fostering meaningful interactions and authentic experiences. Join us as we navigate the impending changes and reimagine the future of beer festivals and beyond.
This conversation features:
-Eric Fouch (Thornapple Brewing, Beer City Brewers Guild)
-Jeremiah Zimmerman (President of the Beer City Brewers Guild)
Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.org/

Jun 12, 2024 • 1h 1min
Everything You Need to Know, and Some Things You Don't...A Crash Course in Brewery Yeast Management.
As everyone in the brewing industry knows, yeast is the engine that drives a brewery. In this presentation, John Giarratano of Inland Island Yeast Laboratories will dive into practical knowledge and standard practices for the introduction and management of yeast in a brewery. From pitch rate to multi-generational yeast health, John will discuss practices that every brewer can take back work and improve beer quality and brewery performance.
John Giarratano founded Inland Island back in 2014 and continues to lead the company in customer service and innovation. John’s previous career in pharmaceutical GMP manufacturing and bio fuels introduced him to the world of yeast propagation, and he saw the need for a local yeast lab in Colorado. What started as selling vials of yeast to homebrewing shops quickly blossomed into an industry leading yeast laboratory supplying breweries large and small from coast to coast and beyond. Many breweries are too small to have their own labs, so John’s team provides them with the quality control and care that they would not have access to otherwise. John’s proud of the niche he and his team have carved in the industry and believes that yeast is the single most important ingredient in beer! In his spare time John volunteers his time with the Master Brewers Association of the Americas and strives to educate the brewing community and public alike on yeast management and brewing practices. John also enjoys snowboarding, gardening and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Start A Brewery is a collaboration amongst a fun group of craft beer industry veterans who are often invited to speak at beer business / brewing education programs. Each has offered to share their knowledge and experience to support the craft beer community as a whole by helping fledgling breweries in planning.
Conceived and coordinated by Candace L. Moon, The Craft Beer Attorney, and Laura Lodge of Customized Craft Beer Programs, StartABrewery.com is provided as a free educational resource for those dreaming of opening a brewery, those who are taking steps to make their dream a reality, and those who are opening their brewery doors and living it.
Learn more at StartABrewery.com
Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.org/

Jun 8, 2024 • 32min
Q&A about Iron Heart’s NEW Technical Support and Services Program
Join us for an insightful Q&A session with Roger Kissling, VP of Sales and Client Management for Iron Heart Canning. Iron Heart's new Technical Support and Services Program is run by Mark VanGlad. Mark brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked for Iron Heart since 2017 in various capacities, making him a trusted authority in the field. During this session, Roger will delve into the creation of the Technical Services and Support program, shedding light on the industry need it addresses, particularly within the craft beer sector. Discover who stands to benefit most from this program and how it promises to revolutionize canning operations.
Mark VanGlad has been with Iron Heart Canning since 2017 and in the beer industry for the last 14 years. He has owned and operated his own brewery, specialized in brewery equipment sales, and then was the packaging manager at large regional brewery in Western NY. Since he's been with Iron Heart, Mark has worked in every division and has a few million seams under his belt.

Jun 5, 2024 • 33min
Benefits for Brewers: Delighting Staff + Increasing Profits with Nontraditional Strategies
The latest Craft Beer Professionals survey shows "benefits" as a top concern of staff, yet the majority of breweries offer no health benefits at all to staff. And it's no surprise: traditional health insurance often doesn't impress staff even as it drains profit from the operation. Benefits shouldn't be "take it or leave it" and owners shouldn't have to choose between "too much or nothing at all." Don't let a mismatch or a misunderstanding about benefits hamper your brewery. In this presentation, we'll delve into what staff really value, and share a variety of free or very low-cost ways you can offer benefits that align to their priorities to increase their satisfaction and reduce turnover.
Jonathan Nystrom has spent a career crossing industry boundaries to bring solutions from one domain to another. Most of that time was spent in legal technology, compliance, IT, and professional services working across the United States and the globe. Jonathan loved and enjoyed craft beer at every opportunity. He has spent a lot of time talking with brewery staff and listening to their concerns. Last year, Jonathan joined up with Benefits for Brewers to expand the options available to breweries as they seek to recruit, retain and delight the best staff. He splits time between the Washington, DC suburbs and the Delaware beaches; His beloved Saint Bernards, Simon and Mabel, often accompany him to breweries.
This conversation also includes:
Greg Fleehart (Old Rappahannock Brewing)
Madeline McMahon (Madeline Fleehart Consulting)
Huge thanks to ABS Commercial, Beer Law Center, and Wipfli for all your support on our Spring Virtual Conference.
Join us in-person for CBP Connects in 2024
Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Learn more at www.CBPConnects.com

Jun 1, 2024 • 56min
Taproom Staff Motivation in a Tip Pool World
Who's ready to go swimming? Tip pooling is becoming increasingly prevalent in taprooms, and motivating and engaging staff members requires a nuanced approach. In this conversation, we will learn why our panelists chose the tip pool model, the challenges they've faced, and how it has been a "win" for their team. We will explore the strategies they've used to boost staff morale, foster teamwork, and ultimately create more successful taproom experiences for both guests and staff.
Moderator: Andrew Coplon (Craft Beer Professionals/Secret Hopper)
Panelists:
Bobbi Gabler (Skydance Brewing)
Brad Barrett (Gravity Taproom)
Kim Collins (Guardian Brewing Company)
Linus De Paoli (3 Gatos Brewery)
Huge thanks to ABS Commercial, Beer Law Center, and Wipfli for all your support on our Spring Virtual Conference.
Join us in-person for CBP Connects in 2024
Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Learn more at www.CBPConnects.com


