Blue Collar, With Love : The Craft Brewers Conference Takeaways

The old joke says brewers are just glorified janitors. If that’s true, they are the most driven, passionate, and dedicated janitors on earth.

Last week, I traveled to the Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia with Cameron (Head Brewer) and Frank (Lead Tech Brewer). The convention was packed with thousands of industry professionals, from brewers to sales teams, all chasing the same goal: mastering the craft and connecting with their peers. The experience is a whirlwind of educational seminars and networking. Everywhere you look, people are trading secrets and sharing what works (and what doesn't) to push the boundaries of the industry.

The Reality of Craft Beer

Brewing is true blue-collar work. It’s physically demanding, the beer dictates your schedule, and the pay is modest. Nobody does this to get rich and famous; they do it for the beer.

• The Goal: Crafting phenomenal liquid.

• The Culture: Radical transparency and collaboration.

• The Drive: A collective effort to make every pint better than the last.

Bringing it Home to Duluth

Watching Frank and Cameron break down their days has been the highlight. Seeing their enthusiasm as they plan how to implement new techniques is infectious. We’re leaving CBC recharged and determined to push Ursa Minor Brewing to new heights. Armed with fresh connections and newfound knowledge, we’re ready to pour that energy into our next 5,000 beautiful barrels.

-Kelly McMahon

COO, Director of Production