The True Craft Podcast

On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we chat with Adam Charnack, co-founder of Hi-Wire Brewing out of Asheville, NC. From weathering natural disasters like Hurricane Helene to shifting their business model to stay ahead of the ever-evolving craft beer industry, Adam shares what it takes to keep a brewery moving forward. Highlights include: * What to consider when expanding into multiple locations and new markets (and hear how Hi-Wire expanded to 11 locations in 4 different states!) * How to plan for and recover from major setbacks that could hit your bottom line * Why contract brewing may be an overlooked growth lever and what to do about it This episode is filled to the brim with insights on resilience, strategy, and staying true to the thing that started the journey for so many brewery owners: the craft. Don’t miss it.

E115: The Taproom and Distro Balancing Act with Doug Bellenger of Well Crafted Beer Co. In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we chat with Doug Bellenger of Well Crafted Beer Co. out of Lansdale, PA to unpack the ever-present balance of running a brewery. From creating an enjoyable fast casual atmosphere in the taproom to recalibrating wholesale margins, Doug gives a clear-eyed look at the trade-offs breweries face today. Doug also shares what he’s learned while operating two thriving taprooms, scaling to 2,000 barrels per year, and expanding distribution across 35 counties! Some highlights include: * How to use distribution as a way to drive traffic to the taproom * The pricing strategy shift you can make without sacrificing quality * What the “sweet spot” balance looks like in 2025 for growing craft breweries If you're trying to balance running a profitable taproom with a growing distro program, this episode breaks down how one brewery is making it work while growing through it all.

In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Berger, co-founder of Denver Beer Company and now one of the minds behind Wilding Brands—the growing group that includes Denver Beer Co, Stem Ciders, Funkwerks, Howdy Beer, Great Divide Brewing Company, and (breaking news!) Station 26 Brewing Company. Charlie shares how he and his team are bringing together some of Colorado’s most beloved breweries and cider makers to build something stronger, together. Highlights include: * What product diversity in a taproom looks like in 2025 * The 3-part growth strategy behind their next moves (hint: innovation, retail, and M&A) * How Wilding Brands is helping “de-risk” the future of craft As Charlie puts it, “I haven’t been this excited about the industry in years.” At a time when many breweries are feeling the pressure, this episode offers a different kind of roadmap.

Adam Robbings of Reuben’s Brews returns to The True Craft Podcast to share how he’s putting AI to work behind the scenes, from forecasting taproom traffic to simplifying the hiring process. He and Chris also unpack key takeaways from this year’s CBC and preview Adam’s upcoming book on optimizing the way departments work together across a brewery. Some highlights include: * How his AI-powered tool, HospitalityWeather, predicts taproom traffic and improves daily operations * The automation hacks he’s using to simplify reporting, hiring, and staff communication * What his new book tackles that SOPs don’t—and why he wrote the first draft in just 8 days If you’ve ever been curious about how AI might shape the future of brewing, this conversation is a great place to start!

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we sit down with Dan Callender, co-founder of Salty Turtle Beer Company out of Surf City, NC. We kick things off with a recap of CBC in Indianapolis! (Shoutout to the BA for organizing a conference that put a huge spotlight on learning and connection). Dan then walks us through Salty Turtle’s origin story, how they’ve strategically scaled, and why being nimble in 2025 looks a little different than it used to. We touch on a little bit of everything: taproom efficiency, distribution strategy, sales experience, and how a single spreadsheet can change the game. Highlights include: * What to watch out for when growing too fast * Salty Turtle’s definition of “being nimble” in 2025 (and why it starts with spreadsheets...) * What most breweries get wrong about self-distribution With insight on what it really takes to run a community-centric brewery in this current age of craft, Dan brings the kind of tactical knowledge that every brewery owner needs to hear. Enjoy the episode!

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we are grabbing a pint with Dave Winslow, Owner of Jackson Street Brewing out of Sioux City, IA to chat about what it takes to build a successful brewery without investors or mountains of debt. Highlights: * How Jackson Street Beer grew from a 3.5-barrel system to a thriving operation without outside investors * The impact of how defining a brewery’s mission and values can be the biggest business advantage * Why Dave sees systematizing operations as the next big move to allow owners to work "on" vs "in" their business From big decisions in a family-run business to the challenges of expansion, Dave offers hard-earned wisdom for any brewery owner looking to build for the long haul.