Brewbound Podcast
North Coast Brewing’s Jennifer Owen; Plus, Tom McCormick and HopXL’s Eric Duchin
Description
This episode discusses the history and current state of the craft brewing industry in California, focusing on North Coast Brewing and their commitment to sustainability and community involvement. It also explores the use of innovative products like Hop XL to enhance flavor extraction and reduce costs in beer production. The interplay between the craft beer and cannabis industries is examined, highlighting potential collaboration and future trends.
Insights
North Coast Brewing's Commitment to Sustainability and Community Involvement
North Coast Brewing maintains their B Corp certification for sustainable practices and works with at least 14 charitable organizations, reflecting their commitment to community involvement.
Innovative Product: Hop XL
Hop XL is a product designed to help brewers extract more flavor from hops efficiently, reducing costs and brewing time. It offers logistical benefits by allowing brewers to make more beer with fewer hops, resulting in significant cost savings.
Craft Beer Industry Challenges and Legislative Battles
Quality, business control, consumer knowledge, and community involvement are emphasized as crucial elements for success in the craft brewing industry. Legislative battles faced by craft brewers include concerns about franchise laws, potential excise tax increases, and equalization of regulations between different alcohol segments.
Interplay Between Craft Beer and Cannabis Industries
The interplay between the craft beer and cannabis industries in California suggests that communication and collaboration can be beneficial for both sectors. Cannabis could benefit from emulating strategies used in the alcohol industry, and there is a belief that cannabis will not pose a significant competition to craft beer or alcohol.
Chapters
- North Coast Brewing: Reviving Acme Lager
- Philanthropy and Flexibility at North Coast Brewing
- Lessons Learned and Innovative Products
- Innovation and Evolution in the Craft Beer Scene
- Craft Beer Industry Challenges and Collaboration with Cannabis
- The Future of Cannabis and its Relationship with Craft Beer
North Coast Brewing: Reviving Acme Lager
00:12 - 07:53
- North Coast Brewing is reviving the Acme Lager brand, a significant part of California's beer history.
- The Acme Lager is being rolled out in cans by North Coast Brewing, maintaining its traditional branding.
- The significance of Acme lies in its history as one of the original San Francisco breweries that was prominent in California during the late 1950s to 70s.
- North Coast Brewing aims to keep brewing their brands in California and maintain their B Corp certification for sustainable practices.
- The brewery works with at least 14 charitable organizations, reflecting their commitment to community involvement.
Philanthropy and Flexibility at North Coast Brewing
07:26 - 14:36
- The brewery's philanthropic focus includes the ocean, kids' education, music education, and supporting local communities.
- The brewery is considering investing in a canning line to maintain flexibility in production.
- Maintaining production in Fort Bragg is crucial for the brewery's role as a major employer and taxpayer in the area.
- The interviewee appreciates the friendly and sharing nature of the craft brewing industry compared to the wine industry.
Lessons Learned and Innovative Products
14:23 - 21:15
- Lessons learned by a top craft brewer include having a solid business plan before expanding, seeking professional advice, and being cautious with spending.
- New breweries are advised to listen, learn, and watch trends closely to anticipate industry changes.
- Hop XL is a product designed to help brewers extract more flavor from hops efficiently, reducing costs and brewing time.
- The science behind Hop XL was discovered through experience in the cannabis industry and various extraction processes.
- Hop XL offers logistical benefits by allowing brewers to make more beer with fewer hops, resulting in significant cost savings.
Innovation and Evolution in the Craft Beer Scene
20:46 - 27:57
- Beer companies focus on helping people rather than farms to improve profitability.
- Using innovative products can significantly reduce the time and effort required in beer production, leading to improved margins.
- Different compounds can be combined to create various hop flavors, highlighting the versatility of hops in brewing.
- The guest reflects on the evolution of the craft beer scene in California over the years, emphasizing growth and popularity of different beer styles.
- IPAs were popular back then along with barrel-aged Belgium style beers, porters, stouts, and red ales.
Craft Beer Industry Challenges and Collaboration with Cannabis
27:36 - 35:24
- The health of the California craft beer market is closely tied to national trends and has evolved significantly since the pandemic.
- Quality, business control, consumer knowledge, and community involvement are emphasized as crucial elements for success in the craft brewing industry.
- Contractions in the craft beer industry have occurred before, notably in the late 90s due to issues like lack of quality and product management.
- Legislative battles faced by craft brewers include concerns about franchise laws, potential excise tax increases, and equalization of regulations between different alcohol segments.
- Interplay between the craft beer and cannabis industries in California suggests that communication and collaboration can be beneficial for both sectors.
The Future of Cannabis and its Relationship with Craft Beer
34:58 - 36:58
- The cannabis industry was fragmented during the recreational legislation movement.
- Cannabis could benefit from emulating strategies used in the alcohol industry.
- Predictions suggest cannabis will gain more acceptance and eventually be legalized federally in 10 to 15 years.
- The speaker believes current restrictions on cannabis will seem outdated in the future.
- There is a belief that cannabis will not pose a significant competition to craft beer or alcohol.
- The speaker sees cannabis as a growing part of culture that will become more accepted over time.