Where's the Profit? How to (actually) make money selling your beer in 2026
It isn’t 2015 anymore. As the craft industry has plateaued, running a profitable brewery has become more and more challenging each year. This presentation will provide craft business owners a deep dive to understand why this is and, more importantly, the strategic changes owners need to make in order to sell the right beer, to the right consumers, at the right margins, to generate cash and finally get ahead.
Learning Objectives:
Learn why the 2015 playbook (more beer, more equipment, more space, etc.) for successfully growing and running a profitable brewery no longer works like it used to.
Understand the different implications for profit, cost structure, and finance for the three main Brewery Business Units (e.g., taproom, distribution, contract).
Understand how to use this information to create an action plan for what needs to change in your brewery to produce profit regardless of size or revenue mix.
About Small Batch Standard
Small Batch Standard is a team of specialized CPAs, MBAs, and financial experts that help breweries grow profits through outsourced bookkeeping and accounting, benchmarking and guidance, and tax. We have supported 285+ craft breweries over the past 15 years and currently serve 126 clients on a monthly basis all the way from single-location taprooms to advanced high-volume producers.
About the Speaker, Chris Farmand
Chris got his start in 2010 helping a new brewery build its back-office systems, a firsthand look at how complex running a brewery can be. That experience led him to found Small Batch Standard. He’s worked with more than 200 breweries, helping them uncover profit through outsourced accounting, tax compliance, and benchmark consulting. Chris holds a BS in Business Finance from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of North Florida, and is an active member of both the AICPA and FICPA.
About the Montana Food and Agriculture Development Center Network
The Montana Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC) Network helps Montanans start, grow, and strengthen food, agriculture, and renewable energy businesses. With Centers across the state, we provide free, hands-on support including business planning, access to financing and grants, regulatory guidance, networking, and assistance with state and federal programs like Farm to School. Our team also offers expertise in product development, market research, food safety, cooperative development, and emerging industry trends. If one Center doesn’t have the answer, we’ll connect you with someone who does—locally or nationally—so you have the support you need to move your business forward.
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