Brewers Association » All Posts https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/forum/supplier/feed/ Fri, 09 May 2025 03:04:22 +0000 https://bbpress.org/?v=2.6.9 en-US https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/from-brewer-to-broker-here-to-support-fellow-industry-pros/#post-174272 <![CDATA[From Brewer to Broker – Here to Support Fellow Industry Pros]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/from-brewer-to-broker-here-to-support-fellow-industry-pros/#post-174272 Tue, 06 May 2025 18:14:59 +0000 Matthew Hofmann Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and connect with this awesome community. My name is Matthew Hofmann and I’ve spent the past 16 years working in nearly every production role, from small taproom operations and brewpubs to larger regional breweries. I also hold an IBD Diploma in Brewing and, up until recently, was a brewery owner myself.

At the end of last year, I successfully sold the brewery I built from the ground up. It was a huge milestone, and I couldn’t have done it without the guidance of a great business broker. That experience left such an impression on me that I decided to join the very firm that helped me make it happen.

Now, I’m working as a business broker, focused on helping others in the brewing and fermentation industries take the next big step, whether that’s acquiring a business, expanding operations, or planning a successful exit. I know firsthand how personal and complex these decisions can be, and I’m passionate about helping others navigate them with confidence.

If you’re considering a transition or just curious about the process, feel free to reach out. No pressure, no obligations – just happy to share what I’ve learned and offer support. Whether you’re dreaming of owning your own brewery or preparing to pass the torch, I’d love to be a resource.

Cheers!

]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/are-you-prepared-for-dot-week-annual-event-affects-shipping-2/#post-174116 <![CDATA[Are You Prepared for DOT Week?: Annual Event Affects Shipping]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/are-you-prepared-for-dot-week-annual-event-affects-shipping-2/#post-174116 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:02:18 +0000 Adriana Terron For 3 days, starting on Tuesday, May 13, and going through Thursday, May 15, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck (often referred to as DOT Week or DOT Blitz) will be in gear across the North American continent, inspecting commercial motor vehicles in an effort to improve road safety.

 

Enforcement officials in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will be out en masse conducting 37-point inspections on vehicles. This annual event should be on breweries’ radars as it can lead to shipping disruption and spot rate volatility.

 

What can a brewery expect during these 72 hours and in the week leading up to DOT Week? Operations will mostly continue as usual, but some drivers may not operate, so delays may be expected.

 

To find out more, refer to this informative page and the CVSA’s press release.

]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/seeking-feedback-on-decisely-health-benefits-program-through-ba/#post-173780 <![CDATA[Seeking Feedback on Decisely Health Benefits Program through BA]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/seeking-feedback-on-decisely-health-benefits-program-through-ba/#post-173780 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:21:13 +0000 Robin Clement We’re currently evaluating the Decisely/ICHRA health benefits program offered through the Brewers Association. Our current healthcare provider is dropping our group plan as of June 1 due to low participation, and we’re looking for a sustainable, flexible, and cost-effective solution for our 45-person team.
The ICHRA model seems promising—especially the flexibility it offers employees and the Decisely platform’s promise of streamlined management. But before we move forward, I’d really appreciate hearing from any brewery or brewpub that has already gone down this path.
If your team has enrolled in the Decisely ICHRA plan, I’d love to know:

  • How smooth was the onboarding process—for both admin and employees?
  • Has the Decisely platform been easy to use from an HR/operations standpoint?
  • Are your employees generally satisfied with the choice and coverage of individual plans?
  • Has the program actually saved you money compared to traditional group health plans?
  • Any pitfalls or lessons learned you’d be willing to share?

We’re aiming to make a thoughtful, informed transition and your insights could really help us make the right call.
Thanks in advance for any perspective you can offer!
-Robin

]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/new-mill/#post-173442 <![CDATA[NEW MILL!]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/new-mill/#post-173442 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:32:35 +0000 Jon Hilgendorf Hello everyone! We’re excited to announce that we’re releasing a new mill at CBC based on brewers’ feature requests. It fixes many problems that have plagued breweries for the last 20 years so we expect it to become the industry standard very quickly. To learn more and submit your own feature requests, head to the page https://abmequipment.com/abm-2-roller-mill/

Thanks!

]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/grain-system-roi-calculator/#post-173440 <![CDATA[Grain System ROI Calculator]]> https://www.brewersassociation.org/forums/topic/grain-system-roi-calculator/#post-173440 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:27:47 +0000 Jon Hilgendorf We just wanted to let people know about a grain handling system ROI calculator to determine if the grain savings from a new system will pay the monthly cost of said system. You can use the form without submitting it to determine your savings https://abmequipment.com/grain-system-roi-calculator/, and if it looks probable, you can submit the form and we’ll get you a quote for a system.

Hope it helps!

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