Ken Grossman, founder & CEO of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., joins us to share how he built one of the largest breweries in America. 

Questions answered in this episode:

  • How long does it take to go from concept to bottle when brewing a new beer? 
  • How did Ken Grossman get started in brewing? 
  • How did you make your own brewing equipment when you started?
  • How did you get funding when you first started?
  • What was the goal when you started?
  • What were the biggest keys to early growth?
  • Did you have steady growth or were there any particular events that caused a spike in growth? 
  • What makes a good distribution partner in the brewing industry? 
  • What advice do you have to somebody starting a craft brewery today? 
  • How have you continued to grow as you have gotten bigger? 
  • Why did you open the additional North Carolina brewery? 
  • How did you maintain business knowledge without a business background? 
  • What motivates you to grow and keeps you passionate since you’ve reached the top of the industry? 
  • How has the Camp Fire impacted your company and what are you doing to help? 

You can find a list of participating brewers selling Resilience IPA by clicking this link. 

Last call:

  • What advice would you give to your 25-year-old self?
    • Giving up is not an option. It will be the hardest thing you ever do but it will be worth it. 
  • What additional advice would you give to an entrepreneur or somebody starting a brewery?
    • Pick something you are passionate about and committed to.
  • What is a book/documentary/podcast you would recommend?
  • What is the best thing you spent money on in the last six months?
    • A new tent and sleeping bag for his wife. 
  • What’s your favorite thing to drink?

Enjoyed this episode? We both recommend touring the new Sierra Nevada brewery in Mills River, North Carolina. Also, be sure to pick up a 6 pack of Celebration IPA. Have any topics you want to be covered or amazing people you’d like us to interview? Let us know! You can email us at info@drunkenmoney.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin. Please be sure to subscribe to our weekly mailing list at drunkenmoney.com/subscribe.