E128: From NASA to the Brewhouse with Bobby Fleshman and Emy Senkbeil of McFleshman's Brewing Co.

E128: From NASA to the Brewhouse with Bobby Fleshman and Emy Senkbeil of McFleshman's Brewing Co.

Author: Small Batch Standard May 1, 2026 Duration: 49:16
In this episode, we are hanging out with Bobby Fleshman and Emy Senkbeil of McFleshman’s Brewing Company out of Appleton, Wisconsin. Quick question for you: what happens when you trade a career at NASA for a mash tun? Well, we’re finding out on this episode! We chat with Bobby and Emy about how astrophysics and "unreasonable" hospitality created a brewery for brewers. Key Takeaways: * An inside look at the necessary, but oftentimes difficult, process of cutting down from a dozen offerings to four core styles (plus a few seasonals) * The 95/5 rule and how it makes some of the best taproom culture * The secret behind using QR code magnets and how they turn wholesale accounts into a self-ordering machine Bobby’s approach to the industry remains rooted in his training as a scientist and a physicist. As he puts it: "Really, I just say, we're problem solvers. We just break them down into their basic elements, put 'em back together".

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
E108: The Future Is Retail with Jeff Heck of Monday Night Brewing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:39
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: retail is the future of craft. On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Heck, co-founder of Monday Night Brewing out of Atlanta, GA, to talk about how…
E105: Recurring Revenue with Ross Stensrud of TapWyse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:46
In this episode, we’re digging into the challenges and opportunities of brewery loyalty programs with Ross Stensrud, co-founder of TapWyse. Many breweries offer memberships, but structuring them in a way that drives real…
E101: “The Suburban Pub” Boom with Phil Humphrey of 608 Brewing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:18
Kick off 2025 with Episode 101 of The True Craft Podcast! This week, we’re chatting with Phil Humphrey, Founder of 608 Brewing Company in La Crosse, WI. From launching a lean startup in 2018 to opening a second suburban…
E100: 10 Insights for 10X Impact [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
For our 100th episode, we’re taking a trip down memory lane. Host Chris Farmand revisits 10 standout moments from past conversations, sharing new commentary and reflecting on lessons that continue to shape the craft beer…