Tariffs & Your Brewery: A Practical Assessment for Owners
By Jeremy Hovater Tariffs on aluminum, steel, and certain imported goods intensified through 2025, and the financial impact is increasingly visible across the craft brewing sector. While earlier industry estimates (including the Beer Institute’s 2023 analysis citing...
The Impact of Market Consolidation on Independent Craft Breweries
By Jeremy Hovater Market consolidation is no longer a distant trend in the craft beer industry — it’s a reality shaping distribution access, profitability, and exit opportunities for independent brewery owners today. Whether you plan to grow, hold, or eventually sell,...
The “Dirty Word” in Business…AKA Audits
By Jeremy Hovater Very few people, if any, get excited when they hear the word AUDIT. In this article, we will focus on financial audits as they play a critical role when both selling a business and/or buying one. Craft breweries are unique businesses. Many started...
Understanding EBITDA and Valuations in the Craft Brewery industry
Understanding EBITDA and Valuations in the Craft Brewery industry By Jeremy Hovater When craft brewery owners consider selling—or when buyers evaluate an acquisition—one financial metric quickly becomes central to the conversation: EBITDA. Understanding how EBITDA is...
Why Interest Rates Matter for Craft Brewery Buyers and Sellers
By Jeremy Hovater Interest rates may seem like a macroeconomic issue far removed from day-to-day brewery operations, but for craft brewery buyers and sellers, they play a critical role in valuation, deal structure, and overall transaction success. Whether you’re...
Craft Beer Professionals CBP Connects New Orleans: A Community That Truly Shows Up
By Jeremy Hovater Recently, I had the opportunity to attend CBP Connects New Orleans, hosted by Craft Beer Professionals (CBP), and it was an experience that reinforced why this industry is unlike any other. CBP Connects events are designed to bring together brewery...
What Buyers Look for in a Brewery Acquisition
By Jeremy Hovater Whether you’re thinking about selling your craft brewery next year or five years from now, understanding what buyers care about most is one of the smartest steps you can take. In today’s craft beer market—marked by consolidation, rising production...
Most Important Steps to Prepare Your Brewery for a Successful Sale
By Jeremy Hovater Selling a brewery is one of the biggest strategic decisions an owner can make. Whether you’ve built your operation from the ground up or recently scaled into wider distribution, preparing your brewery for a sale is essential to achieving maximum...
Celebrating Innovation at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival
By Jeremy Hovater Every fall, the craft beer community gathers in Denver for the industry’s biggest celebration — the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). From October 9–11, 2025, the Colorado Convention Center once again became the epicenter of brewing creativity,...
The State of Craft Brewery M&A in 2025 — Key Trends to Watch
By Jeremy Hovater Introduction: A Market at a Crossroads The craft beer industry has always been defined by creativity, community, and competition. But as we enter 2026, the state of craft brewery M&A (mergers and acquisitions) reflects a sector that is maturing —...
How Much Is My Craft Brewery Worth? A Complete Guide for Owners
If you’re a craft brewery owner, chances are you’ve poured years of hard work, creativity, and passion into your business. Whether you’re just curious about your brewery’s value, preparing for a sale, or considering investors, understanding what your brewery is worth...