Craft Beer Professionals

When you ask most professional brewers about what they do the most, the vast majority will answer cleaning. Despite this fact, during my many years of working with breweries of all sizes I frequently come across the phenomena where a baseline of clean for some brewers reveals that they have only ever known a dirty tank or other equipment as their baseline and call it clean. But if we have never seen the equipment or tank truly clean, how do we establish a true baseline? How do we define what clean is? When and how do we know our equipment is truly clean? How do we identify the first indications that our equipment is not clean? What should we consider before problems develop? What are the possible implications if we ignore the problems or simply do not have the expertise or training to identify them? This presentation will answer those questions and more.Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Dirk graduated in Cologne with a degree in business administration. After working several years for a BASF subsidiary, he joined the Loeffler family business, where he worked in sales, technical services and research and development. In 1992, Dirk came to the United States to lay the groundwork for the US operations of Loeffler which led to the incorporation of Loeffler Chemical Corporation in 1994. Until 2019, Dirk served as the CEO and Technical Director for Loeffler Chemical Corporation. After the company merged in 2019, Dirk took a sabbatical and focused on teaching and enjoying some time with his family. In 2024, Dirk founded SEKA Chemicals together with his wife Alexis. As the Executive Vice President of Technical Operations and Sales he continues to develop new products and process technologies for breweries and distilleries. Dirk lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Alexis and their twin boys Kai and Sebastian. Dirk has been an active member of the Master Brewers Association since 1992 and currently serves as the President for the MBAA Districts Mid-South and Georgia. Dirk is also an active member of the Brewers Association since 1993 and serves on the Board of the German School of Atlanta as Vice President and Safety Officer.Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch LabelsStay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Most breweries face challenges when it comes to succeeding in distribution. From understanding how the numbers impact the business as a whole to managing distributor relationships, running a sales team, and coordinating logistics, distribution is no easy feat. In this rigged game, wins can happen, though they often feel fleeting. Some breweries distribute out of necessity, while others seek the validation of seeing their beer on store shelves. Whatever your motivation, there are a few essential concepts you must embrace to find success in distribution. In this session, we’ll share these key concepts along with benchmarks to help you unlock the path to distribution success.It all started in 2010 when Chris was fortunate enough to assist a start-up brewery with establishing back-office processes. This gave him a firsthand glimpse into the complications of running a brewery. Shortly thereafter, he founded Small Batch Standard, which has become the premier financial agency for craft over the past decade. Everyday, Chris and the SBS team are seeking the opportunity to assist an industry full of entrepreneurs who have proven to create amazing, local products. Small Batch Standard helps breweries uncover profit through outsourced accounting, tax compliance, and benchmark consulting. Chris has worked with over 200 breweries and is driven by building long-lasting deep relationships.Chris graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance in 2002. Then in 2006, he received his Master of Business Administration from the University of North Florida. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Chris’s crew is made up of his wife and 3 children…They rock!Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch LabelsStay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

In this unique era of crossover drinking, new beverage concepts, reinventing the tap room experience, and a whacky economy, what’s the best way to find your course?Join Start A Brewery Contributors and craft beer industry veterans Jeff Mendel of Left Hand Brewing Company, Tim Myers of Strange Craft Beer Company, Laura Bruns of Craft Beer Uncovered, and Charlie Gottenkieny of Bruz Beers for an in depth exploration of opportunities, inspirations, personal small business development strategies, and other inside/outside of the box looks at the tools successful breweries have used to chart (and continue to chart) their course.Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch LabelsStay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Believe it or not, there’s more to life than beer. There’s also wine, spirits, cider—even NA products! But just because you’ve mastered beer doesn’t mean you can simply begin making and selling other types of alcoholic beverages. When a brewery moves to expand their offerings and enter new markets, there is no shortage of new requirements and restrictions that apply. From new licenses to additional taxes to dealing with state control boards, the entire process can look different from everything you’ve become accustomed to.Come hear regulatory experts Alex Koral, Sovos ShipCompliant, and Candace Moon, The Craft Beer Attorney, discuss the ins and outs of how your brewery can move beyond beer to reach new customers and excite existing ones with novel offerings.Candace L. Moon is a San Diego-based attorney who has spent the last 15 years dedicating her law practice to the craft beer industry. She has worked with over 500 craft breweries and craft breweries-in-planning nationwide, handling many legal areas including business entity formation, alcoholic beverage law, contract review, and trademark law. She has been a member of the Brewers Association since 2009 and served on the Board of Directors for both the San Diego Brewers’ Guild and The Pink Boots Society. Ms. Moon has taught Beer Law classes at UCSD, SDSU, and UC Davis. She is the author of “Brew Law 101: California Edition.” Ms. Moon is also the co-founder of Start A Brewery.com, a website for start-up breweries looking for guidance and a bi-monthly podcast of the same name.Based in Boulder, Colorado, Alex Koral is Regulatory General Counsel for Sovos ShipCompliant, where he serves as lead legal researcher for beverage alcohol regulation and has become a leading expert on interstate distribution of alcohol. He has spoken on the topic at many industry events including the Craft Beer Professionals Virtual Conferences, Craft Brewers Conference, American Craft Spirits Association Convention, as well as meetings for the National Council of State Liquor Administrators and the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association. Alex has been in the beverage alcohol arena since 2015, after receiving his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

We can't wait to share beers and see you in-person in Indianapolis. We kickoff CBC Week with our Welcome Party on April 28 at Guggman Haus Brewing Co.RSVP: http://indy.craftbeerprofessionals.org/In this conversation, we will be joined by several of our event partners to discuss how to best plan for CBC, the importance of in-person events, and how to make it a success. Don't miss tips by an Indy local and strategies to make the most of the conference.This conversation features:Adrian Pawliszko (Sippo)Courtney Guggenberger (Guggman Haus Brewing Co.)Pulkit K. Agrawal (Beer30 by the 5th Ingredient)Robert Anderson (Flottweg)Learn more about Indianapolis: ⁠https://www.visitindy.com/⁠Join us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: ⁠https://cbpconnects.com⁠

The beer industry is filled with challenges—economic pressures, shifting consumer trends, and the constant noise of uncertainty. But instead of succumbing to doom and gloom, how can we cultivate resilience and purpose? In this session, Chris Douglas, a coach at Growth Equation, joins to explore the concept of tragic optimism—finding meaning and growth in difficult times. Through practical insights on core values, controlling what’s within your power, and identifying the battles worth fighting, we’ll discuss strategies to overcome procrastination, stay grounded, and build a strong community. True performance and lasting well-being aren’t built on quick fixes—they emerge from intentional, consistent habits. Join us for a conversation on turning challenges into opportunities and sustaining success in an ever-evolving industry.Prior to joining The Growth Equation as COO and starting my performance coaching practice, Chris Douglas worked as a civil rights attorney and clinical law professor at Berkeley Law for over ten years before launching my own consulting business where I have partnered with athletes, events, start-ups, law firms, and small businesses to actualize success. My expertise in these areas has been featured in print and online publications including Outside, Ultrarunning Magazine, The Recorder, Triathlete, The Daily Journal and The San Francisco Chronicle and been heard on NPR and CBS Radio.When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and engaging in athletic feats of endurance.Learn more about The Growth Equation: https://thegrowtheq.com/Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Taprooms are operating more like restaurants than ever before, and to stay competitive, they need to adopt the best practices from forward-thinking restaurants - especially when it comes to using data to drive profitability. Even in a tough market, the most successful businesses are leveraging cost data, menu insights, and server performance metrics to improve margins and maximize revenue.Jim Taylor, founder of Benchmark Sixty, has helped hundreds of restaurants optimize productivity, margins, and employee retention, while Jeremy Carney, founder of Central Coast Analytics, develops world-class data solutions that give craft breweries instant access to critical business insights. Together, they’ll share what the best operators are doing right now to control costs, price smarter, and drive higher check sizes—so you can put these strategies to work in your taproom.Jim and Jeremy will give examples of how taprooms that don’t track and act on this data often deal with unexpected results, constant surprises, and inconsistent profitability and performance.And how by leveraging data, you can:Protect your margins by keeping costs under control and pricing profitably.Staff smarter by aligning labor with demand instead of guesswork.Increase revenue by optimizing your menu and improving server performance.This session will break down how to track the right numbers and take action on them immediately. Attendees will walk away with easy-to-implement strategies that can boost profitability right away, and live attendees will receive free resources to help put these ideas into action.Jeremy: As the Founder of Central Coast Analytics, Jeremy is revolutionizing how craft breweries interact with data. With 20 years of experience in analytics, he develops cutting-edge solutions that provide breweries and other industry partners with critical performance insights at their fingertips. His work enables clients to quickly see a holistic overview of their business and effortlessly drill in to uncover actionable insights. Jeremy's passion lies in helping breweries transform data from a headache into a strategic advantage, empowering breweries to make smarter, data-driven decisions.Jim: Jim Taylor is a restaurant industry leader with over 20 years of experience helping businesses optimize operations, improve margins, and drive profitability. As the Founder & CEO of Benchmark Sixty Restaurant Services, he has worked with hundreds of restaurants across North America and the UK, helping them turn data into profit by rethinking productivity, staffing, and financial strategy.Jim has also played a key role in the growth of a leading national restaurant brand and is now a partner at Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie in Vancouver. He recently published his first book, Bold Operations – Building the Foundation of Strategic Excellence in Restaurants.Passionate about transforming the hospitality industry, Jim challenges leaders to “see things differently” to create sustainable businesses, improve employee retention, and reduce financial stress. His mission is to redefine how restaurants measure success, making the industry a thriving place for both businesses and employees.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Beverage tax surety bonds are essential instruments for businesses in the beverage industry to ensure compliance with state and federal tax regulations. This presentation will provide an in-depth understanding of beverage tax surety bonds, their purpose, and their significance in the industry. We will explore how these bonds function as a guarantee to state authorities that beverage producers, importers, and distributors will comply with tax obligations associated with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.Viewers will learn how surety bonds act as a financial safety net, ensuring that if a company fails to meet its tax obligations, the bond will cover the debt, preventing the state from losing revenue.We will also address the bonding process, requirements, and potential costs associated with securing a beverage tax surety bond.This session is ideal for beverage manufacturers, distributors, importers, and business owners seeking clarity on how beverage tax surety bonds can support compliance and safeguard their operations.Kyle C. Rheiner is a Certified Insurance Counselor, Agency Principal and is the Food & Beverage Practice Leader at Arthur Hall Insurance in West Chester, PA. Kyle has over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry along with actually brewing and distilling craft beverages. Since 2013, Kyle has become the trusted insurance advisor for over 150 craft beverage makers in the US. Kyle is also the Host of The Beer Mighty Things Podcast - a craft beverage business library with over 28,000 downloads including interviews with industry leaders throughout the world.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com

The second Trump administration has barley begun, and employers and HR managers are worried if they are currently in compliance and if there is a strange brew on the horizon.We will discuss how the administration is and could impact employers. Learn how to ensure your business thrives and doesn’t fall a bit flat in the changing employment law landscape.Join Andrew Nielsen, General Counsel at myHRcounsel, as he dives into critical topics for your business, including: Immigration: What could mass deportation mean to your business? Employee Benefits: Is this the death knell for the Affordable Care Act?EEOC EnforcementNational Labor Relations Board changesWhether OSHA changes are comingThis session is essential for staying ahead of a barrel of employment issues. To get an even better pour from this session, submit your questions when you register, and Andrew will address as many as possible during the discussion.Andrew Nielsen is the general counsel for myHRcounsel. He has been practicing law for 18 years and has a great deal of experience in dealing with issues facing businesses, including employment law, contracts, and collections.Stay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com

Craft Beer Professionals has partnered with Craft Beer Advisory Services to gather insights on workplace satisfaction trends across the brewing industry.Join us for a presentation of the data, an exploration of trends, and insights into the state of workplace satisfaction across the brewing industry.Request the report: https://craftbeerprofessionals.org/workplace-satisfaction-report/Learn more about Craft Beer Advisory Services: https://craftbeeradvisoryservices.com/Join us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com