Why collaboration and community are key for brewery survival
Colorado brewpub Wynkoop Brewing Co has identified that collaboration is key for breweries to survive and that the power of community connections can also assist the sector. db reports.
Speaking to the drinks business, Wynkoop Brewing Co head brewer Kat Hess said: “The craft beer industry is experiencing a sharp market correction.” This, which is all happening in tandem with rising costs and the continued interest in independent beer is filled with trends running in parallel. Ironically, despite the fact that the sector is facing challenges, the best place for brewery jobs in the US continues to be the state of Colorado, according to recent data from the Beer Institute.
Beer Institute chief economist Andrew Heritage said at the time that beer continues to be “a resilient industry” and noted that “beer is a product that is highly versatile, so as consumer preferences evolve, the reason that this industry has been so resilient over times, it’s been able to match and meet those consumers where they are”.
Challenges
Hess explained: “I think some of the challenges our industry is facing include the cost of drinking as producers pass along increased business expenses, Gen Z starting to drink at an older age than previous generations and a more health-conscious nation choosing to drink less alcohol and consume THC products more frequently than in previous years.”
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Community
Hess told db: “Brewpubs are truly community gathering places. Offering food, beer, other alcoholic beverages and nonalcoholic beverages gives everyone in a group their preferred choice. I feel that sense of community creates a space where people feel comfortable trying new things, especially when their favourite bartender or server offers recommendations based on previous purchases.”
Collaboration
Hess highlighted that “Wynkoop leans into its position in the Denver and Colorado beer community through collaborations with other local businesses, using local ingredients in both its food and beer offerings and paying homage to the community through landmark and cultural beer names”.
Events
Hesssaid admitted that “whether it’s events centred around the annual National Western Stock Show, a beer festival celebrating dark beers during Stout Month, which started in Colorado, or our most famous and popular beer, Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout, which uses Rocky Mountain oysters, or bull testicles, we are proud to celebrate 37 years as part of Denver’s beer community”.
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