Episode 8 - Ed Brown

Send us Fan MailOn Episode 8 of the SwifTea Podcast, we're sitting down with Ed Brown, Third-generation owner of Missouri Eagle, the Anheuser-Busch wholesaler serving the Lake of the Ozarks and surrounding communities. From a family business that dates back to the end of Prohibition to managing one of the region's largest beverage distributors today, Ed shares what it takes to keep millions of beverages moving while navigating an industry that's changing faster than ever before.Ed takes us behind the scenes of the beer business, explaining how Missouri Eagle has evolved over four generations, what it's like representing one of the world's biggest beverage brands, and how consumer tastes have shifted from traditional beer to craft brews, hard seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and even hemp-derived THC products. He also breaks down why bars are so important to the industry, how Missouri's alcohol laws compare to other states, and what really goes into keeping shelves stocked during the Lake's busiest weekends.We also dive into some of the biggest stories impacting the beverage industry today, including the Bud Light controversy, the challenges of leading through national headlines that affect local businesses, and how distributors adapt when public opinion changes overnight. Ed shares fascinating stories about the iconic Bud Boat, classic Budweiser marketing campaigns, planning months in advance for the Fourth of July rush, and the logistics behind supplying one of the busiest lake destinations in the Midwest.Filled with behind-the-scenes industry insights, business lessons, fascinating history, and plenty of laughs, this episode offers a rare look inside a family business that's helped shape the Lake of the Ozarks for generations. Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, distribution, marketing, the beverage industry, or simply love learning the stories behind the businesses that keep the lake running, Episode 8 is one you won't want to miss.🍺 Learn more about Missouri Eagle and drink responsibly this summer!🌊 Follow Swift & Co Realty for more unfiltered tea from the Lake of the Ozarks!📍 Powered by Swift & Co Realty🌐 www.swiftandcorealty.comFollow us on social:😎 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swiftandcorealty/📸 Instagram: @swift_and_co_realty🎥 TikTok: @SwifTeaRealThinking about buying or selling at the Lake of the Ozarks? Reach out anytime!🌊 Follow Swift & Co Realty for more unfiltered tea from the Lake of the Ozarks!📍 Powered by Swift & Co Realty 🌐 www.swiftandcorealty.comFollow us on social:😎 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swiftandcorealty/ 📸 Instagram: @swift_and_co_realty 🎥 TikTok: @SwifTeaRealThinking about buying or selling at the Lake of the Ozarks? Reach out anytime!