Five Star Beverage Group

In today's market, chasing fleeting trends won’t build sustainable success—but mastering your core brands and leveraging distribution as a growth engine will. In our latest article, we explore how Firestone Walker has become an indispensable partner for their distributors by focusing on long-term brand strategy and turning their distribution network into a powerful resource that fuels growth. This approach has not only built sustained success but also created a blueprint that any brand can follow to scale effectively across both current and new markets. These insights aren’t just theory—they’re actionable steps any brand can implement to align with distributors, maximize value, and drive scalable growth. If you’re ready to transform your distribution network into a competitive advantage and build long-term success, dive into these strategies and let’s discuss how we can help you replicate this model for your brand. #DistributionStrategy #BrandBuilding #CoreBrands #GrowthEngine #BeverageIndustry #ScalableGrowth #LongTermSuccess

Tap Lines Won’t Save You Craft beer brands hold 65% of tap lines but account for only 39% of draft volume. Meanwhile, domestics hold just 20% of tap lines but drive 44% of draft volume—and 75% of retailers’ operating margins. The message is clear: simply being “on tap” isn’t enough anymore. The craft beer market is overcrowded, and tap lines don’t equal consistent sales or profitability unless your brand engages consumers and delivers real value to your on-premise partners. If your brand isn’t resonating with consumers or supporting operators’ profitability, you’re at risk of losing relevance—and tap lines. Here’s what successful brands are doing differently: ✅ Strong Brand Identity: Are you giving consumers a compelling reason to choose your product? ✅ Clear Value Proposition: How does your brand deliver profitability and efficiency for operators? ✅ Distributor Alignment: Are your partners empowered to execute your brand strategy and drive volume? Gone are the days when novelty alone could carry a brand. Today’s winners align strategy with execution, creating value for consumers, operators, and distributors alike. If your tap lines aren’t driving results, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Let’s talk about how a resonant brand strategy can help you adapt, survive, and scale in a competitive market. #CraftBeerIndustry #BrandStrategy #OnPremiseSuccess #DistributorRelationships #BeverageGrowth

Distributors aren’t the bad guy. Too often, brands walk away from their distribution experiences feeling frustrated, blaming the system for their struggles. But here’s the truth: distributors are your key to sustainable scale and acquisition—if you know how to build the relationship the right way. At Five Star Beverage, we work with brands to approach distribution intentionally, ensuring both you and your partners are set up for success. Here’s what successful brands get right: 1️⃣ Know Your Who, Where, and Why: - Who are you selling to? - Where are you selling to them? - Why would they switch to your brand over a competitor? Clear answers to these questions empower your distributor’s sales teams to execute your brand effectively in the market. 2️⃣ Set Expectations From Day One: - What does success look like for your brand? - What goals are you holding them accountable to? Establishing clear expectations creates alignment and builds trust from the start. 3️⃣ Create Mutual Accountability: - When brands approach distributors as partners—not as obstacles—it opens the door for real, measurable success. A strong framework ensures everyone stays accountable to results, driving growth that benefits both sides. - Distributors aren’t the big bad wolf. They’re your force multiplier—the path to scale and, ultimately, acquisition. If you’re feeling stuck with distribution, it’s not about “fixing” your partners. It’s about empowering yourself to build the right relationships, set expectations, and align on execution. How are you setting your distributors up for success? #DistributorRelationships #BrandStrategy #BeverageIndustry #MarketScaling #BusinessGrowth

Looking for more in-depth insights to grow your beverage brand? Our weekly newsletter goes beyond the posts you see here on LinkedIn. It’s your gateway to exclusive strategies, actionable advice, and deeper dives into the trends shaping the craft beverage industry. Here’s what you’ll get: ✅ Exclusive content not shared on LinkedIn. ✅ Case studies and lessons from industry success stories. ✅ Practical, no-nonsense advice for scaling your brand. If you’re ready to: ✔️ Build a stronger brand identity. ✔️ Win with distributors and consumers alike. ✔️ Stay ahead of industry trends... Then this newsletter is for you. 🔗 Click the link below to subscribe now and unlock the insights you need to drive sustainable growth. Don't miss the inside edge! #BeverageInsights #BrandStrategy #CraftBeverageGrowth #DistributorRelationships #BusinessLeadership https://lnkd.in/eR_8nnj9

What’s the difference between a brand that hopes for success and one that’s built for acquisition? It all comes down to clarity—about your target audience, market opportunity, and the unique value your brand brings. 21Seeds is a masterclass in intentional brand building. In just three years, they went from startup to acquisition by Diageo by flipping the script: - They defined their audience (moms and the at-home drinking occasion). - They crafted a brand identity and messaging that spoke directly to their consumers’ needs. - They focused on the right channels—Pinterest, Instagram, and lifestyle publications—to engage their audience where it mattered most. This clarity and focus didn’t just resonate with consumers; it positioned them as the ideal partner for distributors by clearly fitting into portfolios and driving mutual value. The lesson? Successful brands don’t leave their strategy to chance. They: - Start with clarity, crafting a brand that’s deeply aligned with their audience. - Win where it matters before scaling further. - Articulate their value to distributors as their first customers. Without this intentionality, brands risk spinning their wheels—wasting time, effort, and money without seeing meaningful results. How are you building your brand with clarity and focus to win with consumers and distributors alike? #BrandStrategy #MarketLeadership #ConsumerEngagement #DistributorRelationships #BusinessGrowth

One of the biggest mistakes brands make when trying to engage new distribution partners? They focus on what they need instead of what value they bring to the distributor. Here’s the thing: distributors aren’t just logistical players—they’re critical partners in your success. To build strong, lasting relationships, you need to approach them with clarity and intention. Ask yourself: - What role does your brand fill in their portfolio? - How does your product add value to their overall business? For example, I’m currently working with a Non-Alcoholic wine brand that has a clear and compelling value proposition. Their strong brand identity and strategy empowered me to build an effective brand strategy that positions them perfectly in a distributor’s portfolio—fitting seamlessly alongside high-end wine brands while offering a rapidly growing product segment that doesn’t cannibalize existing sales. This approach isn’t just attracting distributors—it’s creating motivated partners who are actively invested in the brand’s growth. The takeaway? The best brands succeed by tailoring their strategies to drive value for their distribution partners. When you focus on mutual success, your distributors become force multipliers, scaling your business sustainably. If you’re not getting the results you want, maybe it’s time to rethink your approach. Start by asking: how can we create value for them? #DistributorRelationships #BrandStrategy #CraftBeverageGrowth #SustainableScaling #MarketLeadership

The 2024 Craft Beer Year-End Report, titled "Age of the Operator," sheds light on the challenges faced by the craft beer industry. Despite these hurdles, top-tier brewery operators are poised for success in this phase of the industry cycle. These operators set themselves apart with brands that forge deep connections with their audiences, demonstrate robust financial performance, and employ strategic approaches to mergers and acquisitions. Acknowledgements go to our esteemed industry experts who contributed to our survey: Karl Klockars from GuysDrinkingBeer.com, phil cutti from Muddy Puddle beer industry consultancy, the former President of the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Brewer's Guild, and Shane Lohman of Five Star Beverage Group. For any inquiries or feedback, feel free to reach out directly. #craftbeer #beverageindustry #TullyandHolland

As New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie said: “If you’re not willing to shift, you’re going to die.” This couldn’t ring truer in today’s crowded, hyper-competitive beverage market. To grow and thrive, brands need to move beyond chasing trends or relying on past successes. The key? Focus on what the consumer wants today, not what worked yesterday. New Belgium offers a masterclass in how to stay ahead: ✅ Juice Force appeals to a wider audience by acting like a flavored malt beverage, not a traditional IPA. ✅ LightStrike leverages wellness cues and fills market gaps with sessionable, low-ABV beverages. Their secret? Deep consumer understanding and a willingness to evolve. Here’s what every beverage brand should be asking: ➡️ What does your audience want right now? ➡️ Where are the gaps in the market you could fill? ➡️ How can your brand evolve to meet these opportunities? The best brands don’t wait for change to force their hand—they lead it. Innovation, boldness, and adaptability aren’t just buzzwords—they’re survival tools in this industry. If your brand is ready to rethink its approach, Five Star Beverage can help. Let’s connect and create a blueprint to drive your brand’s success. #BeverageIndustry #BrandStrategy #Innovation #ConsumerTrends

Too many brands follow the leader, hoping to replicate someone else’s success. Sure, copying what’s already worked avoids failure—but it also limits your potential for greatness. When your strategy is to follow the crowd, you’re not building a brand—you’re building a shadow. In today’s competitive landscape, playing it safe doesn’t just limit your growth—it risks irrelevance. Great brands don’t follow—they lead. They innovate strategically, finding a balance between bold creativity and staying true to their identity. Ask yourself: - Who is your brand’s ideal audience? - Will this move enhance your identity or dilute it? - Are you making bold, authentic choices—or taking shortcuts? The brands that rise above the noise don’t just survive—they inspire, lead, and define their markets. It’s time to stop playing not to lose and start building something bold, authentic, and unforgettable. What’s your next bold move? Let’s make it happen. #BrandLeadership #Innovation #BeverageIndustry #StrategicGrowth #BoldBrands

Beyond Mergers: Building True Scalability in Craft Beer 🌱 Following yesterday’s insights on the Lord Hobo and Lone Pine merger, let’s delve deeper: What do brands really need for sustainable growth? At the heart of scalability is a clear, consumer-centric brand strategy. Without a strong understanding of: 🔹 Who your target consumer is 🔹 Your ideal account types 🔹 Your competing brands —growth will remain elusive. Without these insights, you’re not scaling; you’re investing resources into a strategy with no scalability, leading to wasted efforts and missed opportunities. The reality? Mergers and acquisitions without addressing these core strategic elements are like sharing a lifeboat with someone else who’s also bailing out water. If your brand is serious about long-term impact, it’s time to evaluate and strengthen your brand identity now—not after a merger. #CraftBeer #ScalableGrowth #BeverageIndustry #BrandIdentity #Leadership