Brewer’s Blog

Sun Brewed – Offsetting the Costs of Hot Water Usage with Solar Thermal Technology

August 4th, 2015 • by Adam Hamilton

If you’ve been living under a rock in New York State for the better part of a decade then you probably haven’t recognized the huge strides that the New York State craft beer movement has made. While living comfortably under that same rock, you probably haven’t realized that New York State is now ranked 8th […]

#Trouble: Beware When Running Social Media Contests and Sweepstakes

July 29th, 2015 • by Jackie Sudano

Social media is a great platform to spread the word about your amazing products, connect with consumers, bring beer lovers together to discuss favorite brews and—best of all—it’s free. Many new craft producers turn to social media (particularly, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to run contests and sweepstakes to help spread brand awareness and create a […]

Benefits of Vendor Managed Inventory

July 20th, 2015 • by Bill Madl

Many companies, including craft breweries, are expanding their business growth at a rate that exceeds their ability to keep up with operations, especially maintaining an accurate inventory of raw materials and finished goods that will satisfy their customer demands. In many instances, there are shortages, obsolescence, aging, expediting and all sorts of time and energy […]

Understanding the Three Tier System

July 15th, 2015 • by Brian Mahoney

If you’re thinking of starting a new craft brewery, odds are that you’re a passionate home brewing hobbyist who wants to turn a passion into a career. At some point in that process, you’re going to run up against the myriad laws, regulations and administrative practices that make up beverage alcohol regulation in the United […]

Location, Location, Location …

July 6th, 2015 • by Chip Grieco

Many Local Zoning Laws Remain As Unnecessary Hurdle To Siting Breweries

I know I need a Phase 1 . . . Now what?

June 29th, 2015 • by Jesse Hiney

So you’ve decided to acquire a new home for your brew equipment and tasting room. Whether it be an old jail, a former firehouse, a warehouse or manufacturing facility, the first step from an environmental perspective is to engage an environmental consultant to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. As Rick Marx has advised […]

Tip Credits and the Rising Minimum Wage

June 15th, 2015 • by Joe Carello

Does your brewery include a bar, restaurant and/or tasting room? If so, it’s worth taking a look at how your bartenders are compensated. If your bartenders are paid primarily by tips, then you may consider taking a tip credit against the hourly minimum wage. Taking a tip credit allows your business to pay a lower […]

What’s in a Style Name?

May 31st, 2015 • by Gina McCreadie

So you’ve followed your trademark attorney’s advice regarding selection of your brand name or house mark. You’ve made sure that no one else is using the same or similar mark on or in connection with the same or similar goods. You’ve also made sure that the logo design for your mark isn’t confusingly similar to […]

Craft Brewer As Employer — A Few Things To Know:

May 15th, 2015 • by Christopher Gegwich

For most craft brewers, it is one of the milestones of success—the opening of a public tasting room and accompanying facilities to pursue your passion on a larger scale and in greater quantity. Hand in hand with this expansion is the need for additional bodies to brew the beer, man the tap room, etc. If […]

Going Green to Save Green: How Building Sustainability Affects Your Business for Years

May 7th, 2015 • by Allen Rossignol

Going green, being eco-friendly and saving the planet might not spring to your mind first when you start to think about a new building or expanding your current operations. To those unfamiliar with sustainable building, it might sound like a fancy way to spend more money. But in reality, sustainable building works with the environment […]