The Problem with Beer Distribution | The Craft Equation Podcast

Ever wonder why your favorite brewery isn’t on every shelf or tap list? Maybe your'e a brewery looking to expand and don't know where to start. Distribution might be the toughest part of craft beer—and we’re breaking it down. In this episode of The Craft Equation, we sit down with Kevin Hopkins, VP here at Mother Earth Brew Co., and Rich Collins, an industry veteran with stints at Stone Brewing, Maui Brewing, and Modern Times Beer. Together, they unpack the real challenges breweries face when trying to grow beyond their backyard—and why consumers often can’t find the beers they love everywhere. Learn what goes into getting beer from the brewhouse to the bar, the shifting relationship between breweries and distributors, and how market trends, shelf space, and consumer habits are reshaping the business of beer. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Why beer distribution is so complicated ✅ What limits breweries from expanding into new markets ✅ How distributors decide which brands get priority ✅ The impact of shelf space, pricing, and logistics ✅ How a brewery looking to grow should target markets ✅ What smaller breweries can do to stand out ✅ What consumers can do to get their favorite brands seen Follow Mother Earth Brew Co. 🌐 Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com 📸 Instagram: @motherearthbrewco 📘 Facebook: @MotherEarthBrewCo 🐦 Twitter/X: @MotherEarthBrCo 🎧 Listen to The Craft Equation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.