

Craft Beer Professionals
Craft Beer Professionals
Craft Beer Professionals is a national network dedicated to the growth and betterment of the craft beer industry. CBP unifies and elevates the industry through educational content, peer to peer dialogue, and unique community events.
Educational sessions, interviews, and panel conversations that dive into critical topics in the craft beer industry.
[Stay up to date with CBP]
www.CraftBeerProfessionals.org
Educational sessions, interviews, and panel conversations that dive into critical topics in the craft beer industry.
[Stay up to date with CBP]
www.CraftBeerProfessionals.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 6, 2024 • 1h 12min
From a Code Violation to Massachusett's Only Latina-Owned Brewery
Hot Plate Brewing Co. is the sole Latina-owned independent brewery in Massachusetts, co-founded by Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila. In their early days of homebrewing, a code violation resulted in their Brooklyn condo being without gas for several years.
Undaunted by this setback, Sarah Real took the unconventional route of brewing on a hot plate, meticulously crafting and refining her recipes. Five years later, Hot Plate Brewing Co. opened their remarkable 7-barrel brewhouse and attached taproom in Downtown Pittsfield, where they have 12 beverages on tap, including Easy Listening Favourites which won first place in the English Beers category at Homebrew Alley XV in 2021 (two years before the taproom even opened).
Join us for a conversation with Sarah and Mike to discuss their journey, and how resilience and innovation has fueled the success of Hot Plate Brewing.
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Register now: cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Feb 28, 2024 • 1h 8min
Alternative Entertainment: How Arcades, Pinball and Duckpin Bowling Can Benefit Your Taproom
Craft Beer Advisory Services cites "family friendliness" as one of the top 4 factors that contribute to a guest returning to a taproom. As many breweries focus on how to get more guests in their taproom and spending more while they're there, considering unique forms of entertainment may be an answer.
In this conversation, we're going to talk to industry experts from both the arcade and pinball world, in addition to several breweries who have dedicated energy into outside-the-box forms of entertainment.
We will learn what concepts they're seeing success with, the investment required to get it going, what they've learned, and how these new forms of entertainment benefit their brewery.
This conversation features:
Chris O'Neill (One Well Brewing)
Jason Brewer (Wandering Monsters Brewing Company)
Jonathan Kacmarcik (Southland Entertainment)
Tylor Carson (Stern Pinball)
2024 Employee Satisfaction Survey:
study.craftbeerprofessionals.org
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Register now: cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Feb 21, 2024 • 1h 2min
How to Avoid a Legal Drain Pour
Just as a drain pour can hurt a brewery or distillery by flushing product, there are legal business planning errors that can be catastrophic to a new or established beer or spirits business. Norfolk attorney Butch Bracknell will review legal business planning principles, including -- business formation and registration, equity distribution and shareholder agreements, state ABC or equivalent licensing, employment law considerations including misclassification, employment manuals, sexual or other harassment, and supervisors' duty to act, premises liability, contracts and dispute resolution, cybersecurity, data privacy and risk management, insurance, trademarks and intellectual property, among others.
Butch is a member of the firm’s government contracts practice group and concentrates his practice in the areas of government and public sector, data privacy and security and employment law.
His experience includes work for an international security organization focusing on emerging technologies, unmanned systems, space, cyber, and the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. He is also experienced in complex investigations, compliance and litigation.
Butch is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, His service began as an armor officer with Second Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. After law school, he served as a military lawyer and strategic planner in California, Germany, Virginia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Washington DC (The Atlantic Council of the United States), North Carolina, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Reach out to Butch here: https://www.cwm-law.com/our-legal-tea...
Crenshaw Ware & Martin PLC is a 100 year old full service business law firm in Norfolk, Virginia. The firm enjoys the services of attorneys who are members of the bars of Maryland, DC, Virginia and North Carolina.
Get excited to join us in-person at CBP Connects in 2024.
More information coming soon.
Stay up to date with CBP at update.craftbeerprofessionals.org

Feb 14, 2024 • 1h 4min
Preparing for Successful Brewery Events in 2024
Experience, experience, experience. As the brewing industry continues to evolve, creating memorable and successful events has become more crucial than ever. Whether you're organizing beer festivals, taproom events, or special releases, this session is tailored to provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to make your brewery events stand out in 2024.
In this conversation, we will explore the key strategies and best practices to ensure your brewery events not only meet but exceed expectations. We will discuss trends, effective planning strategies, engaging marketing tactics, and how you can create the most successful brewery experiences.
This conversation features:
Anthony Drago (Monday Night Brewing)
Matt Stumpf (Strike Visuals)
Megan Bachemin (SouthEnd Brewing)
Warren Bondi (Wood Foot Beer Co./Beer Marketeers)
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Register now: cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Feb 7, 2024 • 37min
Made in China, Now What?
With a high percentage of equipment coming from overseas, particularly China, it is crucial to understand the procedures and expenses involved in the process of getting your equipment from the factory to your doorstep.
So, your new shiny, expensive toys are completed half a world away, but what’s next?
Join our Designated Driver, John Gonzales, as he uses his 15 years of experience in China to drill down into the process and help paint a clearer picture of what should be considered.
The discussion will include:
– Container Loading
How does the equipment get over here in the first place?
– Freight and Terms
Will ocean or air freight (ouch) be used to get your shipment across the “pond”? What are the incoterms of the equipment?
– Duties and Taxes
Once the shipment arrives you need to consider importation and the associated duties, taxes, and tariffs which are charged by US Customs and need to be paid before the shipment is released and delivered. You will also get an exclusive look at the shipping calculator that our team has created to provide a detailed estimation of the costs you will incur when your shipment arrives at the port.
– Delivery and Unloading
This is when the real fun starts as now you have to unload the equipment from the container into your facility. Our team has many tips and tricks to share!
Our goal is to help you understand the key considerations during the shipping process from China to the US, so you can make informed decisions that simplify your life and prevent costly surprises.
Bespoke Brewing Solutions is your one-stop shop to bring your craft beer project to life.
We produce our equipment to the highest standard—because the quality of equipment can make a huge difference to your product—and the overall success of your brewery.
We have equipment in 17 countries, meaning we’ve sourced equipment and designed brewhouse configurations for a plethora of different scenarios.
Our Designated Driver, John Gonzales, is originally from Austin, Texas, but now leads our team from China. Having a team in China that speaks the local language allows us to oversee all aspects of our client’s projects, from initial layout designs all the way through to equipment testing before shipping.
If you’ve never started a brewery before, we’re here to help. If you’re an experienced brewer, we speak your language.
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Register now: cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Jan 31, 2024 • 53min
Beer Trips: Educational, Experiential, Cultural, & Networking Opportunities
Craft beer and beverage demographics are accelerating in the speed of change in consumer wants and tastes. Reacting to “Fashion” is a game you never catch up with. To meet these challenges, it is important for you to establish a vibrant industry network and to invest in craft beverage education. The best way to approach this is by visiting and meeting in person the people and experiencing places you want to establish or enhance your industry relationships. The key is to set up detailed trips to meet and interact with other Beer and Beverage professionals one on one at their locations.
Beer Trips should be much more than just drinking craft beer. Trip offers insights on setting up VIP Beer, Bourbon, and other Craft beverages meetings and location experiences that can help you build a stronger team, create new friends and open up more industry resources for you. He offers suggestions on how to effectively use Beer travel as part of a positive incentive and rewards program for your employees. How to create a customer retention program thru a turnkey beer travel program. And insights for you to identify your teams continuing beer education focus and how to take advantage of the best options.
Trip will discuss the importance of One-on-One experiences with source Hops and Brewing Malts producers as well as continuing beer education opportunities that are easier than you think.
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Register now: cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Jan 24, 2024 • 48min
From Paper to Digital: Taproom Menu Insights
Are digital menus good or bad for taproom business? How do they compare in performance to paper menus or wallboards? What should you take into consideration for the visual design of a tap list?
Join Adrian Pawliszko (Kegshoe Inc.) and Andrew Coplon (Craft Beer Professionals/Secret Hopper) as they discuss the latest insights from the world of taproom menus. From recent research conducted by Secret Hopper, to menu design tips and tricks from Sippo, this talk is perfect for any taproom owner or manager.
Adrian Pawliszko is the cofounder of Kegshoe, a keg tracking and CRM software company based in Canada. Adrian has worked at the intersection of beer, design, and technology for over a decade.
Learn more about Sippo: https://sippo.io
The impact of menu types on taproom spending: https://www.secrethopper.com/secret-blogger/menu-types
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
Register now: cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Jan 17, 2024 • 23min
2024 Taproom Staff Motivation Metrics
This conversation is a behind the scenes look at the Taproom Success Membership. The Taproom Success community offers you the opportunity to be part of a monthly mastermind with taproom managers from across the country, join intimate conversations with industry experts, and dive into hours of content designed for you. You can learn more here.
Just like each guest, all of your staff require a unique experience. As brewery owners and managers, it is your responsibility to understand their needs, their goals, and how you can form a partnership of beautiful employment.
In today's session, we discuss 12 taproom metrics you can use to continually motivate your team. Your team will perform stronger when you provide a more engaging and rewarding work experience.
View the 2024 Taproom Staff Motivation Calendar
Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networking
Portland, ME | June 10-12, 2024
You deserve this opportunity: https://cbpconnects-portland.eventbrite.com

Jan 10, 2024 • 34min
The Benefits of Using Real-Time Data To Manage Production
Join Beer30 founder Pulkit K. Agrawal, Christen McGarry from Your Mates Brewing, and Erick Adam from Penn Cove Brewing as they discuss the benefits of using real-time data to manage production. These three will discuss how Beer30 software has helped them in real brewing situations and how the software has benefitted them from an ROI perspective.
Pulkit K. Agrawal - graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and then began working in the beer industry as a Process Engineer for Ballast Point Brewing, where he focused on packaging lines and nitrogen beer. He soon discovered a need in the market for software that expanded beyond standard inventory management systems, where there would be an emphasis on the brewing process and quality, not just inventory tracking. In January 2018, Pulkit launched Beer30. In December 2022, Pulkit was selected into the Forbes 30 Under 30, Class of 2023, in the Food and Drink category.
Christen McGarry - is the co-founder and COO of Your Mates Brewing Co. in Queensland, Australia. Christen founded Your Mates Brewing Co. with the mission of connecting more mates in the area with great beer. McGarry also helped start the Mateship Foundation which has helped raise over $150,000 for local and Queensland based charities through event fundraising and direct donations.
Erick Adam - is the head brewer at Penn Cove Brewing Co. in Whidbey Island in Washington State. Adam has helped Penn Cove expand their operations to multiple locations and focuses on brewing quality beer to help build the community.
Get excited to join us in-person at CBP Connects in 2024.
More information coming soon.
Stay up to date with CBP at update.craftbeerprofessionals.org

Jan 3, 2024 • 39min
Grain Questions, Handled
Hear the industry's most experienced grain handling expert answers your questions about grain handling and storage! Topics will include how to keep spaces dust-free, how to extend the life of your equipment, and when different equipment becomes profitable. It will cover different brands available and extend to automation software, spent grain solutions, and much more. The guest will be John Cassa of ABM Equipment, one of the industry's foremost providers of grain handling systems.
Listeners are welcome to submit any questions they have after the interview to ABM Equipment via email (contact@abmequipment.com), which they have promised to answer.
Starting his career with Bratney in agricultural grain handling systems, John Cassa spent several years as their top sales engineer before venturing out on his own. Seeing that food and beverage producers were having to juggle equipment manufacturers, installers, and fabricators, John founded ABM Equipment with a partner to bring all these functions under one roof. Since then, John has developed hundreds of applications for food and beverage producers, specializing in dry bulk solids solutions.
When the brewery boom hit Bend, Oregon in the 90's, John brought his expertise to the space, and since then ABM has become the primary grain systems provider to the industry. John's group is responsible for a number of the industry's now-standard solutions such as single-point weighing, dust-tight silo adapters, grain handling software, and more.
Though he's responsible for the material handling systems of large food producers such as Tyson and McCain, the brewery space is John's favorite to work in for the laid-back, practical, and tight-knit nature of the industry.
Get excited to join us in-person at CBP Connects in 2024.
More information coming soon.
Stay up to date with CBP at update.craftbeerprofessionals.org


