E89: Intentional Innovation with Erik Fowler of San Diego Brewers Guild

E89: Intentional Innovation with Erik Fowler of San Diego Brewers Guild

Author: Small Batch Standard July 12, 2024 Duration: 41:44
In this episode of The True Craft Podcast we welcome Erik Fowler, Executive Director of the San Diego Brewers Guild. Join us for a jam-packed discussion on the financial landscape of craft breweries in 2024. Highlights include: 1. Erik shares his philosophy of "Beer is the what, not the why" in today's craft market, emphasizing that while breweries start with a passion for brewing, this can't be their sole driving force anymore 2. Practical insights on managing excess capacity 3. The benefits of focusing your styles in distribution and how this can impact your sales reps, distributor relations, and overall business health Erik underscores the importance of having a clear intention behind what you sell, why you sell it, and how you sell it. This, combined with the passion that originally inspired brewers to even open their doors, is the key to thriving in the next chapter of the craft beer industry. This episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!

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…