E133: Resisting Innovation Fatigue and Protecting Core Brands with Tim Barnes of Black Tooth Brewing

E133: Resisting Innovation Fatigue and Protecting Core Brands with Tim Barnes of Black Tooth Brewing

Author: Small Batch Standard August 14, 2026 Duration: 52:46
On this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we sit down with Tim Barnes, founder of Black Tooth Brewing in Sheridan, Wyoming. Tim shares his 15-year journey from starting with a small 10-barrel brewhouse to expanding into four taprooms across the state and producing over 8,500 barrels annually. They dive deep into what it takes to build a sustainable craft brand in a low-density market, including: * Why Black Tooth refused a food menu and still built four high-performing taprooms * How to resist distributor "innovation fatigue" by doubling down on core SKUs * Tim’s real take on industry saturation and why craft beer isn't dying Whether you're scaling up or scaling back, Tim’s straight-shooting approach is a must-listen for every craft brewery owner.

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: 50

The True Craft Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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