E102: Future-proofing Craft with Chris Creech of The Glass Jug Beer Lab

E102: Future-proofing Craft with Chris Creech of The Glass Jug Beer Lab

Author: Small Batch Standard January 24, 2025 Duration: 38:13
In this episode, we’re sitting down with Chris Creech of The Glass Jug Beer Lab out of Durham, NC, to uncover how they’ve stayed ahead of industry trends and built a loyal community. Starting as a humble bottle shop in 2014—just after North Carolina eased growler regulations to allow retail stores to fill them—Glass Jug has grown into a powerhouse with two locations, a 3.5 bbl brewery, and a bottle shop that carries an impressive 600 SKUs at any given time! Highlights include: * A surprise beverage category that’s stealing the spotlight (and boosting profits) * How to turn your taproom into the local hangout with community-focused experiences * Why thinking beyond beer might be your best move in 2025 We also explore Glass Jug’s distribution strategy, how they’re navigating flattening craft beer growth, and why reinvesting in your space could be the key to long-term success. Curious? Pour yourself a pint, hit play, and get inspired!

Every week on The True Craft Podcast, hosts Chris Farmand and Katy Noel pull up a chair for the kind of frank talk you’d usually only get in a private office or after hours at a trade show. This isn’t about surface-level success stories. Instead, each episode features a genuine conversation with a craft business owner, digging into the real and often messy details of running an operation. You’ll hear about the specific hurdles they’ve faced, the unexpected opportunities they’ve seized, and the tough, daily decisions that define life as an entrepreneur in this hands-on world. Created by Small Batch Standard, the podcast serves as an essential resource for practitioners who want to move beyond theory and into the practical realities of management and growth. The discussions are grounded, insightful, and focused entirely on the experiences of people who are actually doing the work, making it a unique listen for anyone building a business with their own hands. Tune in for a dose of honesty and actionable perspective that cuts straight to the heart of what it means to be a craft owner today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The True Craft Podcast
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