Shan's Craft Brewers Conference 2025 Recommended

My Seminar Recommendations & Things to Do in Indianapolis

The Craft Brewers Conference 2025 (CBC) is set to take place in Indianapolis from April 28 to May 1, and I couldn’t be more excited. As a Purdue alum (Boiler up!) who spent time in Indiana from 2012-2015, I have a deep appreciation for this city’s energy, its brewing scene, and its midwestern charm. With CBC bringing thousands of industry professionals together for education, networking, and inspiration, this year’s lineup of seminars and events is particularly enticing. After an enormous venue like Vegas, I’m pumped for this much smaller setting where natural run-ins and industry collaboration will be more organic. Most of the area around the convention center and throughout Indy is walkable or within a very reasonable Uber ride away. The following list of course isn't all encompassing, so feel free to drop some of your favorite events and seminars in the comments!

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Seminars I’m Excited About

CBC is always packed with incredible educational sessions, but here are a few I’m especially looking forward to:

Welcome & Keynote Presentation

• Speakers: JC Tetreault, Esther Tetreault, Bart Watson
• Date: Tuesday, April 29 | 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Exhibit Hall J&K
• This year’s keynote will be given by JC and Esther Tetreault, founders of Trillium Brewing, who will share their insights on sustainability, innovation, and resilience in the craft brewing space. Their journey is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to hearing how they’ve adapted their business for long-term success.

Seat at the Table: State and Federal Issues Your Brewery Needs to Know

• Speakers: Katie Marisic, Marc Sorini
• Date: Tuesday, April 29 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Sagamore Ballroom 6
• Legislation and regulation impact every aspect of brewing, and this session will provide a critical update on state and federal laws that affect production, sales, and marketing. Especially with everything going on right now I think this is an essential seminar for anyone in the industry.

Reverse Engineering Success: Consumer Trends Behind Growing Brands

• Speaker: Matt Gacioch
• Date: Tuesday, April 29 | 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | Sagamore Ballroom 4
• This seminar analyzes why certain breweries thrived in 2024, using consumer trends and research to highlight business strategies for 2025.

Beyond the Tap: Sales Strategies, Smart Partnerships, and Innovation in a Changing Market

• Speaker: Caitlin Braam
• Date: Tuesday, April 29 | 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | Sagamore Ballroom 5
• Learn innovative sales and marketing strategies to help your brewery thrive, featuring insights from the incredible Caitlin Braam, Yonder Cider’s CEO.

Having a Sense for Sensory: Incorporating Sensory Training into Your Beer Education Portfolio

• Speakers: Jen Blair, LaTreace Harris
• Date: Tuesday, April 29 | 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM | Sagamore Ballroom 4
• A deep dive into building a sensory training program for brewery employees and customers alike. Jen and LaTreace are industry experts, and I always learn so much from them, so this should be extremely helpful and interesting to anyone looking at expanding their beer education portfolio.

Ingredient Innovation: Unlocking New Flavors in Beer and Beyond

• Speakers: James Conery, Rachel Maus, Chris Olsen, Sophia Pollack
• Date: Wednesday, April 30 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Wabash Ballroom 2
• This session explores new ingredients, tea, botanicals, and spices to enhance flavor innovation in brewing.

Market-Proof Hop Water: Thirst Quenching, Zero ABV, Consumer-Safe Hoppy Waters from A to Z

• Date: Wednesday, April 30 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Wabash Ballroom 2
• Hop water has been growing in popularity as a non-alcoholic, hop-forward beverage, and this seminar will go deep into formulation, sensory perception, and production safety.

Cidermaking for Brewers: Science, Techniques, Considerations, and Compliance

• Date: Thursday, May 1 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Wabash Ballroom 2
• The cider industry continues to grow, and this session will focus on how breweries can integrate cider production, including fermentation techniques and tax/legal considerations.

Mental Wellness for Leaders and Teams

• Speaker: Holly Haslam
• Date: Thursday, May 1 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Sagamore Ballroom 5
• Practical strategies for prioritizing mental wellness and fostering a supportive team environment. Something that is truly close to my heart (Can you put this on their FYP?).

Triple Bottom Line Strategies for Tough Times: Why the "Three Ps" Still Matter

• Speaker: J Jackson-Beckham
• Date: Thursday, May 1 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Sagamore Ballroom 6
• Dr. Jackson-Beckham is one of my favorite speakers, so if you haven’t seen her speak before, I would recommend this seminar. This seminar explores the triple bottom theory, which expands business success metrics to include social, environmental and economic impact, along with actionable methods to drive impact and measure outcomes.

Craft Brewers Cup – The Annual CBC Hockey Tournament

One of the most exciting off-the-floor events at CBC 2025 is the Craft Brewers Cup Hockey Tournament, and this year, Roy Farms is helping host it with Cask Global Canning Solutions!

?? Date: Tuesday April 29, 8-9:30am ?? TPH Rinks, 1202 East 38th St, Indianapolis, IN

RSVP & MORE INFO HERE!

This annual industry hockey game is where brewers, industry pros, and beer fans hit the ice for a friendly (but competitive) match, all while raising a pint to community and camaraderie. Whether you play or just want to cheer on your favorite brewers in action, it’s a CBC tradition that you won’t want to miss. Expect fast-paced action, and a post-game breakfast bash.

Breweries & Cideries to Visit

If you're looking for some great local brews and ciders, check out these standout spots:

• Sun King Brewing – A must-visit for award-winning flagship beers and rotating experimental releases.
• Guggman Haus Brewing Co. – A cozy, family-owned brewery with a unique beer garden atmosphere.
• Metazoa Brewing Co.- A wide range of well crafted beers, where 5% of profits donated to animal & wildlife organizations (and dog friendly!).
• 18th Street Brewing & Distillery (Hammond & Gary)- An incredible black owned brewery, if you’re driving from Chicago, you can hit either of their taprooms on the way.
• Centerpoint Brewing – Known for its balanced and clean beers, this brewery is a favorite for those who love well-crafted classics.
• Ash & Elm Cider Co. – I met these delightful folks at CiderCon. Offering Indiana’s largest selection of ciders on tap, this spot is a must for cider lovers.

Bars & Restaurants & Lively Streets:

Some of my top places in and around the area, including a few of the more vibrant and bustling neighborhoods:

• Commodore – A sophisticated cocktail bar in Fountain Square known for its creative drinks, vintage ambiance, and well-crafted classics.
• The Inferno Room – One of the best tiki bars in the Midwest, serving up exotic rum-based cocktails with elaborate garnishes.
• Bluebeard – A James Beard-nominated restaurant featuring farm-to-table dishes, a creative menu, and a fantastic wine selection.
• Milktooth – A must-visit brunch spot serving creative dishes like Dutch baby pancakes and pork belly biscuits.
• The Slippery Noodle Inn- steps away from Lucas Oil, this blues bar has been around since 1850 and is the oldest bar in Indiana. I’ll be posted up here!
• St. Elmo’s Steakhouse – An institution in Indy, famous for steaks and spicy shrimp cocktail. Absolutely classic dining experience.
• Mass Ave: A lively cultural district packed with craft breweries, indie shops, top-tier restaurants, and vibrant nightlife, making it a must-visit for CBC attendees looking to explore Indy’s creative side.
• Broad Ripple: A laid-back yet energetic neighborhood known for its craft beer bars, live music venues, eclectic eateries, and scenic canal paths, offering a perfect mix of nightlife and daytime charm.

Final Thoughts

I’m starting to get really excited for a great week. If you have any Indy favorites, feel free to drop a comment! If you’re attending, be sure to connect—I’d love to grab a pint!

See you in Indy!