Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl From the Brewhouse to the C-Suite: The Leadership Challenge
Oct 15, 2025
Andy Crouch leads a dynamic discussion featuring brewing visionaries. Sean Lawson shares insights on growing a tiny brewery into a larger operation while focusing on craft. Basil Lee talks about blurring roles and adapting management styles. Paul Saylor emphasizes the importance of delegating tasks and nurturing staff growth. Roy Milner offers lessons on building a brewery brand and collaborating with investors. The panel dives into the delicate balance of creativity and financial stability, offering a treasure trove of leadership wisdom.
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From One Barrel To A 50‑Person Company
- Sean grew Lawson's from a one-barrel shed to a large production facility while self-distributing and doing nearly every job himself.
- He scaled to 50 employees, learned to hire leadership, and later stepped back from CEO to return to craft work.
Delegate And Hire HR Expertise
- Delegate responsibilities early and hire professionals for functions like HR rather than learning painfully on the job.
- Trust your team and stop micromanaging to focus on craft and strategic priorities.
Building Blackberry Farm Into A Global Brand
- Roy described his winding path from homebrewer to building Blackberry Farm Brewery and scaling to national and international distribution.
- The project grew to 45 employees and presence in 36 states and 11 countries before ownership changes.