Craft Brewery Financial Training Podcast

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. 

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. 

Inventory is often the largest asset on a brewery’s balance sheet  and the biggest source of hidden margin leaks. In this episode, we break down how to build a profitable inventory system that protects cash, improves COGS accuracy, and creates operational discipline. You’ll learn how to install simple standard operating procedures, use scorecards to quantify what “good” looks like, and turn inventory management from a monthly headache into a competitive advantage. Plus, we’ll share a practical SOP template you can use immediately.Actionable TakeawaysInstall Clear Inventory SOPsLearn how to document and standardize receiving, transfers, adjustments, and returns so inventory accuracy doesn’t depend on memory or good intentions.Move from Guesswork to Measurement with a ScorecardIdentify the key metrics (turnover, days on hand, shrinkage %, slow-moving SKUs) that quantify what strong inventory management actually looks like.Protect Gross Margin Through Better Valuation & ReconciliationUnderstand how counting discipline and consistent valuation methods improve COGS accuracy and prevent margin distortion.Identify and Plug the “Inventory Leaks”Discover the most common breakdown points — from receiving errors to production yield loss — and how to install controls that prevent them.Free Up Cash Without Increasing SalesSee how improving inventory turns and reducing excess stock can unlock working capital and strengthen your financial position.ResourcesGet the free Brewery Profit Bulletin - tips, tactics and strategies to create more profit in your beer business.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. 

Cash flow is what determines whether a brewery survives and grows. In this episode, we break down the core fundamentals of cash flow management and share practical strategies you can use immediately to gain control, avoid crunches, and build a stronger financial foundation for your brewery.Key Results You’ll Get from Listening:A clear understanding of the difference between profit and cash flow and why it mattersPractical steps to avoid cash crunches before they happenThe core KPIs that directly impact liquidity and financial stabilitySimple systems to improve collections, inventory management, and spending disciplineA framework for making better day-to-day decisions that strengthen cash flow and long-term growthResourcesGet the Brewery Profit Brief - actionable tips to improve cash flow today.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. 

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 Takeaways1️⃣ Treat Data as a Strategic Asset — Not Just RecordkeepingHigh-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 TruthDisconnected 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 ReplacementAI 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 RhythmCompetitive 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 YouWhether 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.ResourcesConnect with Aaron - aaron.gore@the5thingredient.com Get the Brewery Profit Bulletin - tips, tactics and strategies to build a more profitable breweryReady 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. 

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Farmand of Small Batch Standard, a brewery accounting, tax and advisory firm that works with breweries across the country, to talk about one thing every brewery owner cares about: profit. We kick things off with a preview of Chris’s all-day Brewery Profit Workshop at the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference (Monday, April 20th), where he’ll dive deep into taproom performance, distribution strategy, and practical ways to unlock more profit in your business.From there, we zoom out and tackle some of the biggest strategic issues facing breweries today — the pros and cons of contract brewing, what’s really happening in brewery mergers and acquisitions, and how forward-thinking operators are creatively converting underutilized production space into high-margin event venues. This conversation is packed with insights for breweries looking to adapt, optimize, and build a more profitable business model in a maturing market.Key TakeawaysTaproom Profit is Still KingWhy maximizing retail sales, optimizing labor, and dialing in guest experience remains one of the most powerful levers for margin expansion.Distribution Strategy Requires DisciplineThe importance of understanding true margins by channel — and when distribution helps (or hurts) your bottom line.Contract Brewing: Strategic Tool or Risky Shortcut?A practical look at when contract brewing makes sense, when it doesn’t, and the financial implications owners often overlook.M&A Activity Is EvolvingWhat’s driving brewery mergers and acquisitions in today’s market — and what owners should consider before buying, selling, or partnering.Repurposing Production Space for Higher MarginsHow breweries are converting excess capacity into event space, private rentals, and hospitality experiences to capture more profitable retail dollars.Profit Requires Intention, Not HopeThe common thread across all strategies: knowing your numbers, understanding channel-level profitability, and making proactive financial decisions instead of reactive ones.ResourcesLearn more about the Brewery Profit Workshop - Monday April 20th of Craft Brewers Conference weekGet the free Brewery Profit Brief - a weekly newsletter packed with tips, tactics, and strategies to drive more profit in your beer 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. 

In this episode, we break down what really belongs in COGS, how to read gross margin correctly, and how to dig deeper to uncover hidden margin leaks. If you want stronger cash flow, smarter pricing, and better decisions, this episode will help you master the numbers that matter most.🎯 5 Actionable TakeawaysDefine COGS correctly and clean up misclassifications.Only direct materials, direct labor, and production overhead live in COGS. Calculate and monitor gross margin.Track gross margin % trends and compare draft vs package so you can catch margin decline early.Break down margins by brand and package.Don’t rely on blended averages - calculate COGS and margin by SKU to identify profit drivers and margin killers.Allocate labor and overhead intentionally.Use simple drivers to create a realistic cost per BBL — clarity beats perfection.Turn margin insight into action.Use what you learn to adjust pricing, rationalize SKUs, improve efficiency, negotiate with suppliers, and drive profitability.ResourcesGet the Brewery Profit Brief - actionable tips, tactics and strategies to run 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. 

In this episode, we dig into how financial trouble usually shows up months before it becomes a crisis, and why so many owners and managers miss the warning signs. When you’re busy fighting daily fires, reviewing financials weeks after month-end, and unsure which numbers truly matter, problems stay invisible until cash runs tight .We walk through the concept of a financial early-warning system and explain how profitable breweries shift from reactive panic to calm, data-driven decision-making. Instead of drowning in reports, they focus on a small set of leading indicators that flag issues early — while there’s still time to act. This isn’t about becoming a CPA - it’s about knowing where to look, how often to review, and what actions to take when numbers move out of range.Key TakeawaysMost brewery financial problems show up early — but only if you know which signals to watchA focused red-flag dashboard is more powerful than dozens of backward-looking reportsCash flow issues are usually operational problems in disguiseReviewing financial signals weekly creates faster, calmer course correctionStabilizing cash flow and margins must come before growth or optimizationResourcesGet the Brewery Profit Brief - tips tactics and strategies for a more profitable breweryReady 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. 

In today's podcast we cover the basics of brewery budgeting, keys to success and 3 simple steps to get started building your plan today.Key TopicsBudget questions: Who, what, where, why, when and howCommon obstacles and how to overcome themBudget quick-start guideThe details: How to build the plan, models, tools and templatesFinancial cadence: How to use the plan every dayResourcesGet the brewery profit brief - tips, tactics, and strategies to build a more profitable beer 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. 

Today, I sit down with Sean Lawson the founder behind Sip of Sunshine to unpack how careful planning, advisory boards, and a purpose-first mindset can carry a brewery through hypergrowth, supply shocks, and a once-in-a-century pandemic.Sean walks us through the early days of homebrewing, the decision to contract brew at Two Roads to meet demand without giving up ownership, and the leap to a state-of-the-art Vermont facility just 16 months before lockdowns. We explore how a high share of packaged product, strong retail relationships, and authentic brand loyalty kept the business resilient. As a certified B Corp, Lawson’s and has contributed millions to nonprofits focused on healthy communities—proving that purpose can be a growth engine, not a side note.On the operational side, Sean opens the playbook: annual planning with monthly and quarterly reviews, KPI dashboards that spotlight cash, gross margin, COGS, and velocity, and a quarterly advisory board that challenges assumptions without dictating decisions. We dig into the hard lessons from overcommitting on hops and preprinted cans, why vendor relationships matter when renegotiating contracts, and how to make tough people decisions while staying transparent and fair. If you’re scaling a craft brand you’ll leave with practical tactics for forecasting, budgeting, negotiating, and building a cadence that turns numbers into action.Grab the free Brewery Profit Brief - financial 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.