The Agony and the Ecstasy of Contract Brewing w/ Jeremy Cowan (Shmaltz Brewing)

Contract Brewing in craft beer has evolved over many years from what some might say was a dirty word (is it still?) to what has been a pathway to success for countless renown brands as well as a powerful revenue model for producers. We will examine the basic and more advanced models for contract brewing as well as dig deeper into how to actually pull off managing a successful contract brand and a contract production operation – plenty of information for both sides of the contract brewing equation. Some solid theory blended with a whole lot of practical experience – a “How To” and a “How Not To” guide from 25 years in the contract brewing trenches. Founder, long time president, now partner and independent consultant, Jeremy Cowan has seen a lot of life in craft beer. Evolving from tiny batch contract brewed beer in San Francisco in 1996, the Shmaltz adventure proceeded through 25 years of evolution, producing over 150 beers distributed through 40 states, brewing at multiple contract facilities, as well as their own 40,000 sq brewery in upstate New York, which brewed 30,000 bbls of contract beer for regional partners. After successful sales of the Coney Island brand, the Clifton Park Brewery, and recently the Shmaltz brand, Jeremy now consults across multiple areas in the craft beer industry for strategy, sales, operations, and finance. Let's chat - over a beer! Huge thanks to Encompass Technologies, Boelter, & Gorman Smith Beverage Equipment for all your support on our Fall Virtual Conference. Join us in-person for CBP Connects | Half workshop, half networkingCharleston, SC | December 4-6, 2023Grab your spot now at https://cbpconnects-charleston.eventbrite.com