Support your local businesses. Brewery, bar, liquor store, restaurant, pool supply shop...whatever it is you shop for. Shop local when you can. Shop local when they deserve it... The beer business has been rocky the past few years. According to the Brewers Association in 2023 there are more breweries than ever (9,761), while annual openings are decreasing year over year (495), and closures increased (418). Can you think of a brewery that closed lately? I can! Any that surprised you? Covid, variable interest rates loans, lots of breweries have tons of investors/partners....it's tough out there. I'm curious how 2024 data shakes out but I'd guess more of the same. I'm on record on Youtube: The Business of Craft Beer F**king Sucks. We are growing here at TailGate Brewery, we don't make that a secret. But "success" in small business is an interesting dynamic. I see a lot "oh they're always busy, they don't need my business." I hear it all the time about other local businesses too. But just because their parking lot is full at peak hours, does not mean they don't need your business! Ever wonder why Wednesdays are Half Priced Pizza in the taprooms? It's not as busy as Fridays! Craft beer is not in the completion game. We don't hang up our safety glasses and slap each others' backs til we die drunk from all the beer we brewed. Every day is a start from zero. Every day we have to make sure our trajectory continues. Because in our case, we built a pretty big organization that is growing! And like a teenager, that growing business needs to eat! That means we have to maintain that level of growth that got us here. To me that starts with being better than we were yesterday. So whether it's us, or whatever your local business is: support them. We are growing when the industry is loud about some shaky times. But just like every other business - it's you that decides if we continue to grow or not. Pro tip: Money's tight but you want to help your local business? A 5 star review on any online platform is the single most valuable thing you can do for a local business. Trust me.
The Craft Beer Business F**king Sucks | Growing A Craft Brewery
https://www.youtube.com/
Kenny Garlock
4mo
Love this insight and mindset towards growth in a label heavy era for craft beer. Every week, you find a new brewery being represented on the shelf and market share is harder to come by. Looking forward to watching this video and taking notes.
The beer business “SUCKS”…the HELL YOU SAY We’ll, no kidding But when you tell people you do it, there’s a smile on their faces
Lucas Leverett
4mo
Well said! Now come to Michigan! I’d love to help bring a Tailgate to Beer City, USA. 😁
Pharaoh of Freight | Sultan of Service
4moI'm a local freight broker who would love his business to be supported by Tailgate!