Craft Beer Professionals

As a brewery owner or manager, your taproom is your greatest opportunity to drive profits and build relationships. This leadership-focused session will provide you with the financial insights, actionable strategies, and data-driven tactics you need to turn your taproom into a thriving profit center. Learn how to maximize sales, manage your finances effectively, and enhance the guest experience while empowering your team to deliver results. Walk away with the tools to guide your taproom toward increased profits and keep things thriving in a constantly changing industry.Andrew Coplon is the Founder of Secret Hopper and Craft Beer Professionals. Andrew helps breweries nationwide create more memorable and profitable taproom experiences using data-based insights gathered from thousands of visits. He has successfully built a community of 17,000 Craft Beer Professionals dedicated to the growth and betterment of our industry across the United States. When he isn’t building relationships on Zoom or meeting you for a pint, he enjoys climbing jungle gyms with his son, Max, or planning the next adventure with his wife, Stacie.Kary Shumway is the founder of Craft Brewery Financial Training.com which offers online resources for beer industry professionals. He has worked in the beer industry for more than 20 years as a certified public accountant and a chief financial officer for a beer distributor and a brewery.Join Taproom Success and Gain Access to Additional Resources to Create Profitable Taprooms: https://www.taproomsuccess.com/Join us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.You’ve spent years researching, developing, sourcing, and finally crafting your spirit, however, without proper attention paid to the most basic aspects of the governance of your entity, regardless of how good the liquid is, all the blood, sweat, and tears can be for naught.This presentation will (1) walk through basic considerations when forming your entity or taking in early investment dollars to avoid issues with co-founders, or early investors, (2) provide insight into common pitfalls that can and will cause additional expense and delay when dealing with potential investors or acquirers (or in the worst scenarios cause companies to lose investment or exit possibilities), and (3) discuss what types of diligence investors and acquirers will focus on during the course of a transaction and how companies can not only be prepared for those requests, but differentiate themselves from other potential target companies in their preparedness for diligence.Drew was raised in a family-owned fine dining restaurant and catering company, which was an outgrowth of his grandparents’ local burger joint and watering hole. He counsels companies of all sizes from formation through early-stage fundraising, day-to-day corporate formalities and contracting, and transformative M&A and beyond. He also focuses on distribution agreements, complex alcohol beverage regulatory issues, and commercial contracting. Drew joined BBG from Reyes Beverage Group, where he served as Senior Counsel. Before entering the alcohol beverage industry, Drew was in the M&A and Emerging Companies group at Latham & Watkins in Chicago. Originally from New Jersey, Drew is a double Wolverine, having earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan. He spends his time cooking, baking, and barbecuing, fishing (not catching), exploring the local food and beverage scene in his new home town of Grand Rapids, and being outside with his family.Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch LabelsStay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

CBP Connects Charlotte is almost here, happening from June 9-11. Join us for a conversation to discover why you need to attend and how it can help you see greater success. 14 interactive sessions, 3 nightly receptions (Triple C, NoDa, Resident Culture), a trade show, and your opportunity to connect with other industry decision makers.This conversation features:Aaron Gore (Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient)Celeste Beatty (Harlem Brewing)Corey Lord (Lord CPAs)LJ Coverdale (Deutsche Beverage + Process)Join us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Grab your spot now at https://cbpconnects.com/

Brewery owners wear many hats. Let’s face it… At some point in your journey, you have worn ALL the hats of your business. While this is overwhelming at times, being able to create a quality label for your array of brews can be a daunting task. Using all of the proper file configurations ensure the quality of the result is worthy of the effort you put into brewing it. This presentation provides a fool-proof checklist to confidently send your label files to the printer on the first attempt without the costly and time-consuming back & forth.Jason Foss is the Digital Marketing Specialist at InTouch Labels & Packaging. He has a diverse background in food, beverage, and cannabis product marketing. As part of the Avery Products family, InTouch Labels is a premium choice for high-quality custom label printing. InTouch specializes in short-run label printing and offers a swift 3-day turnaround, volume pricing, and no rush fees or minimum orders.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

As if brewery owners needed another thing to worry about, Tariffs could be another thing added to the list for 2025. Rather than shrug shoulders or worse yet, have it keep you up at night – we wanted to share some tips on ways that you can address Tariffs for your brewery.We’ll go over the biggest thing to avoid, and that is spending to much time trying to negotiate or avoid their impact. The fact is, that there is little a small business can do to avoid impacts completely, either short or long term, from tariffs. But once you stop wasting energy on trying to figure out ways to avoid them completely, you can work on ways to lessen the impact to your business if they do show up in your operating costs.We’ll go over 3 areas to lessen the impact:1. If you have the space/storage – you can acquire extra inventory. Make sure to work with your suppliers if you chose this option.2. Identify any line items that you know are being imported today ( i.e. perhaps your Malt provider) and reach out to US based providers. With some discussions, you may want to switch now and then avoid any worry later in the year.3. Spot check pricing compared to 2024. When you see an increase ( i.e. 10% or higher) reach out and ask about the reason. Be ready to switch providers to alternatives that are not seeing an impact from tariffs in the same category. Also talk to your supply partners about how they are handling tariff prep in 2025.This isn’t about avoiding risk all together, but figuring out a plan on how to deal with it as it comes so you are not caught off guard. Cheers.My name is Dan Klasen and I’m the Founder and President of the Beverage Federation. The Federation is a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) that provides procurement services to its craft members, focused heavily on cost savings measures. Starting the Federation has combined my passion for meeting new small business owners, negotiation, and cost-saving programs. I have worked with every size organization in my career, from small family-run companies to fortune 500 businesses. While I learned a lot from working with larger organizations, I truly enjoy working with fellow entrepreneurs on running and improving their business. The Federation now works with over 300 breweries to help educate and implement smart buying programs designed to help them run leaner and be around longer.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

While beer is the foundation of our industry, a great pint alone isn’t always enough to capture and keep attention. A thriving taproom requires exceptional hospitality and compelling reasons for guests to return. Some taprooms double as coffee shops, others build strong event programs, and many find creative ways to become true third spaces—community hubs where people gather, connect, and feel at home. In this conversation, taproom managers, owners, and industry experts from across the country will share how they’re going beyond beer to create profitable, engaging destinations.This conversation features:Bronywn Vogler (Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company)Chuck Garrity (Death of the Fox Brewing Company)Erica Teague (Cactus Land Brewing Company)Michael Varda (Craft Beer Advisory Services)Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

CBP Connects Charlotte is almost here, happening from June 9-11. Join us for a conversation to discover why you need to attend and how it can help you see greater success. 14 interactive sessions, 3 nightly receptions (Triple C, NoDa, Resident Culture), a trade show, and your opportunity to connect with other industry decision makers.This conversation features:Allison Soderberg (Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority)Chris Harker (Triple C Brewing)John Szymankiewicz (Beer Law Center)Kelly Meyer (How NOT To Start A Damn Brewery)Ron Nelson (Arryved)Join us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Grab your spot now at https://cbpconnects.com/

In this session, we’ll dive into the complexities of handling the endless stream of donation requests while simultaneously positioning your brewery to effectively market itself in a crowded, competitive space. Craft breweries often face the challenge of balancing community involvement with smart marketing efforts, and the session will provide strategies for navigating both with confidence and efficiency.Key topics include: How setting your annual marketing calendar is a critical component of being able to source materials/decorating/merch in cost effective waysHow to leverage your taproom and assets that are underutilized to drive profit when it matters mostTechniques to determine when the right times are to make a donation, discount your products, and when/where to us Artificial Intelligence to help youThe power of strategic partnerships amongst other businessesOvercoming the fear of failure which holds many of our bold ideas backTracy is the co-owner of Southern Tail Brewing – she’s spend her life prior to that with over 25 years of experience in technology – specifically analytics. She uses the power of AI to help guide her team, simplify processes, and drive significant programming for the 12,000+ square foot venue. Tracy has had the honor of leading some of the world’s largest organizations to get a leg up on the competition and now at the forefront of making really big changes in the Little Rock, Arkansas market. She’s the vice president of The Pink Boots Society for Arkansas.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Data is the secret ingredient to growing a successful brewing business. While brewing is a craft rooted in tradition, data offers actionable insights that can reduce costs, manage risks, boost revenue, and enhance efficiency. This webinar bridges the gap between recognizing the value of data and practically using it, even if you’re not a high- tech organization.We start with how to ask the right questions: What problem am I trying to solve? What story does my data tell? How can I gain clarity into what I should look at?From there, you’ll learn how to gather and prepare data effectively, from multiple sources like spreadsheets and ERPs to ensure clean, actionable datasets.We’ll discuss building a data culture within your organization, emphasizing collaboration and ownership to drive the data quality needed for accurate insights.Through demos, we’ll explore data visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau Public to organize and visualize your data for meaningful insights.Finally, we’ll dive into targeted analysis and the future of brewing analytics. Whether it’s understanding customer behavior, optimizing product offerings, driving predictive insights or leveraging AI tools like GPTs, data helps align the art and science of brewing. Start small, think big, and let data be your guide to success. From crafting the perfect brew to optimizing your business and growing a data culture that will invigorate your organization, this webinar equips you with the tips and tools to tap into your data’s potential.Michele Doyle is an innovative leader with over 25 years of experience driving business value through data-driven transformation. As Vice President of Data at Sennos, she advances the company’s data platform and capabilities, delivering actionable insights that empower customers across industries. In her previous roles, Michele has established analytics platforms, managed data operations, set architectural strategy and led cross-functional teams that united product owners, business leaders, and technical experts to drive measurable improvements.A champion of building successful data cultures, she emphasizes collaboration and accessibility to extend data’s value across entire organizations. With expertise spanning machine learning, AI, and data governance, Michele bridges gaps between Operations, Product, and Technology to deliver innovative solutions. She believes the best data strategies combine creativity, teamwork, and really strong coffee.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Is your marketing copy lacking that special spark? Ever wondered how you can drive more engagement overall? Whether you’re releasing a new bold brew or getting folks hyped about exciting events in the taproom, great words are the secret ingredient to holding your audience’s attention and generating the hype.In this presentation we will explore the do’s and don’ts of marketing copy for craft beer brands. From writing irresistible headlines to hitting the right tone, you’ll discover easily applicable tactics to upgrade your messaging across social media, email campaigns, menus, and more. Learn how to tell your brewery’s unique story, emotionally connect with your audience, and channel simple creative writing tactics that inspire action. We’ll also look at mindset shifts that will give you the freedom to write with clarity, creativity, and confidence. Walk away with fast, actionable tips you can use right away, and new ideas to whip up excitement for every piece of collateral you create.Natalie Cross is the lead digital strategist at Get Hoptimized, a digital marketing agency focused on delivering measurable results for breweries through innovative online marketing strategies. With years of experience working with both large and small brands, Natalie excels in crafting tailored solutions that enhance online visibility, foster community engagement and valuable customer relationships. Driven by a strong passion for the craft beer industry, she is dedicated to helping breweries succeed and flourish in the digital world by utilizing a spectrum of digital tools, analyzing trends, and applying tactics to maximize their marketing initiatives and achieve long-term growth.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/