007 - Your Business Plan: Shaken, Not Stirred

The Start A Brewery Podcast

The 007 episode is a break to check in with three industry veterans about their craft beer journeys. Key elements of the discussion include how mission statements & values shine through their existing businesses and, overall, how business plans have or have not played a part in the various breweries they have been with over time. Their experiences showcase the differing approaches to business through the years, down to writing a business plan “for an audience of one”, as Sam puts it.

Mark Youngquist, Owner/Brewer, Dolores River Brewing Co.

Cofounder of Rock Bottom Breweries, the Colorado Brewers Guild, and founder of the Dolores River Brewery, Mark has been actively involved in the brewing industry for over 35 years, and is a ICF certified coach specializing in leadership, business development and entrepreneurship to those looking to explore their passions and dreams.

Mark began brewing in 1987 at BridgePort, founded the Rock Bottom Breweries in 1990, resurrected the Boulder Brewery in 1991, and was a founding member of the Colorado Brewers Guild. He opened the Dolores River Brewery in SW Colorado in 2002 and is a mentor with the BA mentorship program.

Sam Calagione, Brewer/Founder, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (& affiliated businesses), Boston Beer Co.

Sam Calagione has been focused on brewing beers with culinary ingredients since 1995 when Dogfish Head first opened as the smallest craft brewery in America. Today, Dogfish has grown into a 400+ person company and is one of the most recognized breweries in the country. Dogfish Head is based in Delaware with Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, an off-centered brewpub and distillery, Chesapeake & Maine, a geographically enamored seafood restaurant with a James Beard nominated cocktail program, Dogfish Inn, a harbor-front beverage-themed motel and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and distillery featuring a Tasting Room & Kitchen. Dogfish currently sells beers, spirits, and canned cocktails across the U.S. In July 2019, Dogfish Head proudly merged with the Boston Beer Company. Sam’s innovative style and collaborative spirit has earned him a reputation as one of the industry’s most adventurous entrepreneurs and brewers. Sam has authored four books and was named the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional in 2017. Sam, Mariah, and their family reside in coastal Delaware.

Mitch Steele, Brewmaster & Co-Founder of New Realm Brewing Co.

Mitch is the Brewmaster and Co-Founder of New Realm Brewing Co. in Atlanta, GA. He has been brewing beer professionally for over 34 years, studying brewing science at the University of California Davis and home brewing prior to becoming a professional brewer in 1988. Since 1988 Mitch has managed brewing operations and innovation with four different breweries, including 14 years with Anheuser-Busch followed up by 10 years at Stone Brewing in San Diego county, where he managed all brewing operations as Stone Brewing grew from a 50,000 bbl operation to one of the top 10 largest craft brewers in the country, operating 4 separate breweries in 2 countries. In 2012, Mitch authored the Brewers Publications book IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale and in 2014, the Brewers Association awarded Mitch with the prestigious Russell Scherer Award for innovation in craft brewing. In addition to his duties at New Realm Brewing Co., Mitch currently chairs the Brewers Association Supply Chain Sub-Committee, was just elected to the Brewers Association Board of Directors, and sits on the Board of Directors for the GA Craft Brewers Guild.

About StartABrewery

StartABrewery is a collaboration amongst a fun group of craft beer industry veterans who are often invited to speak at beer business / brewing education programs. Each has offered to share their knowledge and experience to support the craft beer community as a whole by helping fledgling breweries in planning.

Conceived and coordinated by Candace L. Moon, The Craft Beer Attorney, and Laura Lodge of Customized Craft Beer Programs, StartABrewery is provided as an educational resource for those dreaming of opening a brewery, those who are taking steps to make their dream a reality, and those who are opening their brewery doors and living it.

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license