Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.’s Post

Once beer leaves the brewery, it’s in a distributor’s or retailer’s hands. However, that doesn’t mean breweries can’t monitor how it’s being stored, handled, and poured. Self-distributing breweries have more visibility and control over this, of course, but even those with wholesaler contracts should make it a priority to evaluate their beer’s quality in the market and flag any issues. For the Brewing Industry Guide, I dug into the complicated but critical issue of field quality: what small breweries can do, and why it matters. Big thanks to Jessie Polin, Julie Smith, Sean Lawson, Neil Witte, and Stoup Brewing's Jason Bass for speaking with me:

You have to know your brand's value and assert it through your team's daily actions. Consistent communication and accountability from a supplier always conveyed to me that they likely had their act together across the board. If you don't actively demand your brand's value in everything you do, how can you expect anyone else to? The values you demonstrate through your daily operations shape how distributors and retailers perceive and treat your brand. Ensuring quality control and maintaining high standards, even after your product leaves the brewery, shows a commitment to excellence. By consistently upholding your brand's value, you not only protect its integrity but also build strong, respectful relationships with your distribution and retail partners.

Let's address the elephant in the room: exploding beer cans. 🍺💥 It's a serious concern facing the craft brewing industry, with safety risks and reputation on the line. This blog dives into the science behind these explosions and offers crucial insights to safeguard breweries from such catastrophic outcomes. ⬇️https://hubs.la/Q02nybkC0

Markets mature, and players caught in between growth phases without the right amount of #capital and #distribution face fierce headwinds. I've loved what #craftbrewing has done to change people's perception of #beer , but places like West Michigan (home of some of the best craft breweries and a over abundance of beers) have shown that market's can only bear so much inventory and choice. High hopes that Dark Horse Brewing Co. and THREE FLOYDS BREWING, LLC get through this. https://lnkd.in/eViTeTeM

Recently Max Coleman participated in the Craft Beer Industry panel at the 2024 Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference in Bend, Oregon. Additional panelists included Tyler Brown of Barley Brown's Beer, Ben Edmunds from Breakside Brewing and Tonya Cornett of 10 Barrel Brewing. TAKEAWAYS: Brewers expressed these feelings regarding the current craft brewing market... While there are challenges (generational shifts, changing style preferences, and post-Covid behaviors) it is not the end of craft beer. By innovating in taste, educating new consumers, and dialing in business practices and beer quality, breweries can evolve with the challenges, rather than being overcome by them. Areas of interest included embracing traditional beer styles, community building around the brewery and beer drinking experience, as well as how diversity within the industry attracts new consumers while developing new flavors. Specific challenges facing breweries:  * Large numbers of players in the market, leading to need for specialization and true understanding of consumers and core competencies, both in beer and business.  * The threat of regulatory burdens in the form of increased excise taxes at the state level.  * Three-tier distribution and the lack of control for breweries, whether that is direct-to-consumer shipping or contractual obligations around distribution partners, which continue to impact choices and flexibility by brewers. Which issue do you believe impacts you the most?

Biz New Orleans Magazine Louisiana's craft beer industry faces a dynamic landscape, with nearly 50 brewers contending with slowed growth and fierce competition. From transformed industrial spaces to innovative business strategies, breweries are adapting to thrive in a changing market.

Thirsty for a cold brew? This NJ brewery made USA Today's 10Best list 🍺 Finding that great pint of beer in New Jersey won’t be too hard. USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards has named the top 10 Best New Breweries across the country. This list involves new breweries - founded in the last three years - and nominated by a panel of beer experts. Everyone has a passion. And the owners of this New Jersey brewery "hopped" to it. Taking the number 5 spot in the list: Birdsmouth Beer - Oceanport. This brewery has six beers on tap, ranging from lagers to hoppy pilsner. “Birds mouth is unique in that they only distribute in New Jersey and only brew lager beer. You'd think this might be pretty risky in the craft beer world, but they have a devoted community following,” according to USAT. The top three breweries that beat out New Jersey 1: First State Brewing Company - Middletown, Delaware2: Kismetic Beer Company - Indianapolis, Indiana3: Altered State Brewing Company - Raleigh, North Carolina https://lnkd.in/eUrNT6tE

Exploding beer cans? Yes, it's a thing, and it's time to talk about it. Over the years, the craft brewing industry has faced a rising concern – beer explosions. This blog dives deep into the science behind beer explosions, offering insights into preventing catastrophes for breweries. https://hubs.la/Q02lfDVf0

I recently read an article shedding light on a crucial subject: the importance of expanding alcohol-free labelling to empower small, independent breweries.   It's heartening to see the industry exploring ways to support these smaller brewers who craft exceptional alcohol-free beers.   However, an interesting challenge surfaces when delving deeper into this topic.   The current guidelines demand that for beer to be considered 'alcohol-free,' it must contain no more than 0.05% ABV.   Here lies the hurdle: achieving this specific strength is beyond the affordability for the vast majority of small breweries.   It requires specialised and expensive brewing equipment to remove alcohol from the beer, making it a challenging feat.   Nevertheless, despite these hurdles, small breweries are champions of innovation, and extending alcohol-free labelling can pave the way for their brews to reach a broader audience. 🍻   This initiative not only promotes inclusivity but also reflects the evolving tastes of consumers seeking quality, alcohol-free alternatives without compromising on taste and variety.   As someone passionate about the brewing world, I believe in fostering an environment where every brewery, regardless of size, has the opportunity to shine.   By embracing alcohol-free labelling, we're not just expanding choices; we're celebrating the diversity and creativity within the beer community. 🙌   To read more about this initiative and its impact on our brewing community, I’ve included the link in the comments.   What are your thoughts on this initiative?   How do you think alcohol-free labelling can further support small independent breweries? #siba #alcoholfree #beer

With tens of thousands of jobs and more than $20 billion in economic activity, there’s little doubt that craft beer equals big business in the Midwest. In Michigan alone, the thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $600 million. From Small Breweries to Big Business: How Craft Beer is Stimulating the Midwest Economy https://lnkd.in/gYMV8pd8