Craft Beer Professionals

The next wave of beer drinkers is here, and spoiler alert—they’re not like the last lot. Gen Z is all about connection, inclusivity, and creating new rituals, which means the old “pint in the pub” experience might need a bit of a shake-up. In this session, I’ll walk you through how to connect with this fresh generation of drinkers. We will cover branding, marketing, taproom vibes, and everything in between. It’s not just about making great beer anymore (though that still helps); it’s about creating experiences that bring people together in a modern and meaningful way. If you’re ready to turn your brewery into a magnet for the next-gen, grab a seat and let’s chat about how you can stand out, stay relevant, and make your mark. Tim Weaver is the guy who makes brands brilliant. As the owner of The Brand Weaver, he’s spent over 15 years helping brands craft identities that not only look cracking but actually work—bringing in punters, growing sales, and making a splash in the industry. Whether it’s giving a startup its first big break or breathing new life into a well-loved brewery, Tim’s all about making sure your brand stands out, turns heads, and keeps people coming back for more. He’s got a knack for spotting what makes a brand special and turning that into something unforgettable. When he’s not brewing up brand magic, you’ll find him sharing stories, cracking jokes, or enjoying a pint (strictly for research purposes, of course). Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch Labels Stay up to date with CBP: https://lnkd.in/eV9eBDUc Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

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 Labels Stay up to date with CBP: https://lnkd.in/e6Tj4u5r Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register 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 Labels Stay up to date with CBP: https://lnkd.in/eV9eBDUc Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register 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 Labels Stay up to date with CBP: https://lnkd.in/eV9eBDUc Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch Labels for helping us keep our community and content 100% free and accessible to all Craft Beer Professionals View the full schedule: https://lnkd.in/gcyUe_jJ How to watch? Tune in on the CBP YouTube right here: https://lnkd.in/eDfYzjMy Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Happy Sunday! Our CBP Spring Virtual Conference (March 24-25, 2025) kicks off tomorrow at 11am ET. 100% free, accessible to all, & packed with actionable insights. Can't join us live? No worries. All content will be available on our YouTube FOREVER. View the full schedule: https://lnkd.in/gcyUe_jJ How to watch? Tune in on the CBP YouTube right here: https://lnkd.in/eDfYzjMy Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch Labels for all your support. Enjoy!

RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eTqKJQhf Monday, April 28, 7-9pm at Guggman Haus Brewing Co.

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: https://lnkd.in/eV9eBDUc Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register 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: https://lnkd.in/eV9eBDUc Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

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