E113: De-Risking Craft Beer with Charlie Berger of Wilding Brands

E113: De-Risking Craft Beer with Charlie Berger of Wilding Brands

Author: Small Batch Standard July 11, 2025 Duration: 50:44
In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Berger, co-founder of Denver Beer Company and now one of the minds behind Wilding Brands—the growing group that includes Denver Beer Co, Stem Ciders, Funkwerks, Howdy Beer, Great Divide Brewing Company, and (breaking news!) Station 26 Brewing Company. Charlie shares how he and his team are bringing together some of Colorado’s most beloved breweries and cider makers to build something stronger, together. Highlights include: * What product diversity in a taproom looks like in 2025 * The 3-part growth strategy behind their next moves (hint: innovation, retail, and M&A) * How Wilding Brands is helping “de-risk” the future of craft As Charlie puts it, “I haven’t been this excited about the industry in years.” At a time when many breweries are feeling the pressure, this episode offers a different kind of roadmap.

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
Podcast Episodes
E76: A Deep Dive on Cider with Adam Ruhland of Wild State Cider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
Join Katy Noel and Chris Farmand for a very special episode of The True Craft Podcast. In this week’s episode, we welcome Adam Ruhland of Wild State Cider to dive into the dynamic world of cider. We explore trends shapin…
E73: SBS: A Year in Review with Chris Farmand & Katy Noel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:37
In a special iteration of The True Craft Podcast, Katy interviews Chris on his reflections of the various investments made at Small Batch Standard in 2023. Get a glimpse at the inner workings of SBS, including how we’ve…
E70: Minuscule Margins with Katy Noel and Chris Farmand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:44
It’s no secret: We both know you’re likely not raking in cash from the wholesale side of your business. Join Chris and Katy on this week’s episode of the True Craft Podcast to get a peek at an internal conversation we’re…
E68: The Portfolio Puzzle with Ben Hugus of Ursa Minor Brewing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:45
All aboard the THC train? Where does NA fit into our business model? How do we create a thriving portfolio that kills it in distro? How do we stay relevant without exhausting our resources and losing focus? As we all kno…