The True Craft Podcast

In this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we sit down with Brewmaster & Marketing Professional Ryan Seiz from Warwick Farm Brewing to discuss how they've built one of Pennsylvania's premier destination breweries by intentionally avoiding the traditional distribution game. From transforming a former meat processing facility into a thriving taproom to creating events that draw hundreds of people every week, Warwick Farm has built a business around experiences. Some highlights include: Why selling 95% of their beer through the taproom has become a competitive advantage How festivals, cornhole leagues, and thoughtful taproom design generate more consistent traffic What launching an RTD line taught them about expanding revenue without cannibalizing beer sales From building a destination brewery from the ground up to finding growth outside of traditional distribution, this conversation is full of practical lessons for brewery owners looking to build a more resilient business. There's a lot packed into this episode for operators thinking beyond the brewhouse! Enjoy the episode! Warwick Farm Brewing - WebsiteWarwick Farm Brewing - Instagram Book a profit strategy call with the SBS team

In this episode, we are sitting down with Alan Brinton, the co-founder of Grey Sail Brewing, located right on the coastal border of Rhode Island and Connecticut. Alan shares his journey from brewing "God-awful" beer in his college apartment to establishing one of Rhode Island's largest production breweries and successfully navigating 15 years of industry evolution. We dive into the realities of scaling a bootstrap operation, the intricate dynamics of distributor relationships, and the shifting economic landscape facing modern craft brewery owners. Some highlights include: Why managing repairs and maintenance costs is the "next shoe to drop" for maturing breweries. How a single double IPA, Captain's Daughter, completely transformed Grey Sail's trajectory and fueled their expansion. Why treating your distributors as your true customers is essential for long-term retail success. As the craft beer market matures and overhead costs fluctuate, mastering your financials is no longer optional. As Alan puts it: “Just understand your product costs and your margins... it's basic, but it's hard.” Enjoy the episode! Grey Sail Brewing - WebsiteGrey Sail Brewing - Instagram Book a profit strategy call with the SBS team

In this episode, we’re trekking to a tiny town of 350 people in rural Newfoundland to chat with Alicia MacDonald, co-founder of Port Rexton Brewing (who is celebrating 10 years this summer)! Along with her business partner, Alicia has spent the last decade navigating island logistics, dodging icebergs, and balancing summer tourism with distribution-filled winters. Highlights include: Turning a DIY four-barrel hobby into a 15-barrel production facility How a celiac diagnosis led to running the only certified gluten-free brewery in Atlantic Canada The reality and insight gained of brewing on an island and how to get the most out of your taproom being a seasonal magnet for tourists Alicia proves that staying power comes from a "true brand following" and…well, a lot of grit. If you’re brewery is focused on local, local, local, you may just find a gem or two in this episode! Port Rexton Brewing - Website Port Rexton Brewing - Instagram   Book a profit strategy call with the SBS team

In this episode, we are hanging out with Bobby Fleshman and Emy Senkbeil of McFleshman’s Brewing Company out of Appleton, Wisconsin. Quick question for you: what happens when you trade a career at NASA for a mash tun? Well, we’re finding out that and so much more on this episode! We chat with Bobby and Emy about how astrophysics and "unreasonable" hospitality created a brewery for brewers. Highlights include: An inside look at the necessary, but oftentimes difficult, process of cutting down from a dozen offerings to four core styles (plus a few seasonals) The 95/5 rule and how it makes some of the best taproom culture The secret behind using QR code magnets and how they turn wholesale accounts into a self-ordering machine Bobby’s approach to the industry remains rooted in his training as a scientist and a physicist. As he puts it: "Really, I just say, we're problem solvers. We just break them down into their basic elements, and put 'em back together".   McFleshman’s Brewing Co. Official Website Bobby’s Podcast: Respecting the Beer The Business Bible: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara   Book a profit strategy call with the SBS team