TapWyse - Tap Tales , Industry InsightsTapWyse - Tap Tales , Industry Insightshttp://tapwyse.com/tap-tales/industry-insightsThu, 14 May 2026 17:56:18 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[The CBC Comeback! Why Lots More Breweries are Packing Their Bags for Philly!]]>http://tapwyse.com/tap-tales/post/the-cbc-comeback-why-more-breweries-are-packing-their-bags-for-phillyLast year, I ran a completely unscientific survey that shook me to the core. Leading into the Craft Brewers Conference, the data showed a staggering 90% of breweries were planning to skip the big show. Well, the new survey results for this year are in and the vibe has officially shifted.]]>

Last year, I ran a completely unscientific survey that shook me to the core. Leading into the Craft Brewers Conference, the data showed a staggering 90% of breweries were planning to skip the big show. Well, the new survey results for this year are in and the vibe has officially shifted. 

YEP! See you in Philly: 146
NOPE! Gotta hold down the fort: 649

TELL US IF YOU ARE GOING


If the nearly 20% attendance rate holds across the ~9000 US breweries we could be in for an epic party in Philly! So, what changed? Why is the industry feeling a second wind for the flagship conference? Here are 4 fully speculative reasons for the renewed pilgrimage.

REASON 1: Pent up Demand


After a few years of tightening belts, many breweries have stabilized. After passing on Vegas and Indy, the time has come for the tribe to gather. We are craving the camaraderie and in need of a reminder of why we got into this industry in the first place.

REASON 2: The Pivot to Profit


Last year, we noted that the industry had matured past the "how to make beer" phase. This year, it feels like breweries are hungry for the "how to sell beer" phase. Many breweries are planning to bring their marketing teams for the first time (halejulah!). Owners are looking for specific business tools to help them thrive locally.

REASON 3: The Hunt for New Revenue Streams


The industry is buzzing with talk of non-alc, THC, RTD, hospitality, monthly memberships, and hyper-local loyalty programs. Breweries want to see who and what is actually making money. There’s a "gold rush" of information and breweries will be mining for products and programs that can add cash to the bottom line.

REASON 4: CBC is Evolving


Credit to the BA for recognizing what the industry needs in this moment. Hospitality visionary, Will Guidara will deliver the keynote. In addition, the BA has beefed up their beyond brewing content with the addition of CBC Experiences for Taproom Management, Marketing, Sales and Leadership. These small changes matter! We are already seeing it in the attendance numbers and hopefully in a stronger industry as a whole after the show.

SEE YOU IN PHILLY!


Come meet the TapWyse team in booth 2339 to check out the latest and greatest memberships and app marketing programs that are adding over $50K/yr in taproom revenue. Hope to see you there!

]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:27:34 -0800<![CDATA[Skipping CBC this year? You aren't the only one…]]>http://tapwyse.com/tap-tales/post/skipping-cbcYou might want to crack a cold one for this! The results of my completely unscientific and informal survey are in! Over the past 5 days, when asked "Will your brewery be attending CBC?" 90% of breweries have said they will be skipping Indianapolis...]]>

You might want to crack a cold one for this! The results of my completely unscientific and informal survey are in! Over the past 5 days, when asked "Will your brewery be attending CBC?" the response has been:

YEP! We will be there: 26
NOPE! We are skipping CBC: 259

TELL US IF YOU ARE GOING OR SKIPPING AND WHY!


These are undeniably tough times for craft breweries, but a 90% truancy rate at the flagship industry conference was shocking to me. Maybe this is normal. This will only be my third CBC. But IF brewery attendance is down, I have four completely unsolicited theories. Take them with a grain of salt, a shot of tequila, and a lime.

REASON 1: Winning a World Beer Cup award is harder and less profitable.


CBC is coupled with the World Beer Cup. This is a win-win! Breweries can compete in the cup and meet up with their suppliers in the same trip! But unfortunately, in a mature market a World Beer Cup win doesn't come with the same reward. With cutthroat distribution and more local options, the sales bump is not what it used to be. Breweries have realized this. Many will enter beers but not attend CBC to keep costs down.

REASON 2: Most breweries now have capital equipment and supplier relationships in place. 


At my first CBC 3 years ago in Nashville, I was struck by the supplier bias towards making beer instead of selling beer. When new breweries were popping up like weeds this was really important! New breweries need tanks, glycol chillers, and canning lines. They need grain, hops, and yeast. Now that the industry has matured, established breweries need things like new revenue opportunities, cost cutting ideas, and ways to turn profits (more on this later).

REASON 3: Much of the education is focused on beer making & national trends.


Much like the supplier bias, this type of education was critical when brewers were earning their stripes, IPAs were king and distributors were looking to fill out their portfolio! But at this point, in an industry full of grizzled brewers and limited distribution opportunities, national trends are mostly irrelevant to the local brewery/taproom.

REASON 4: Breweries are not flush with cash right now.


I know. Thanks a lot Rosstradamus for the insight of the century! But I'm stating the obvious because THIS IS THE POINT!. What breweries need, right now, more than anything is NEW REVENUE!

INTRODUCING THE BREWERY PROFIT CENTER


So what about the dedicated breweries who ARE making the pilgrimage to CBC? TapWyse will be focusing on NEW REVENUE by highlighting taproom marketing programs that are adding 150+ visits per month and over $20K in recurring revenue.


For CBC, we are coming together with a group of like minded suppliers to form the BREWERY PROFIT CENTER. Like us, everyone in this group is committed to sharing proven revenue boosting and cost cutting programs! 

So come see us in BOOTH 1125 and let's flip the script from national industry declines to thriving local breweries and taprooms. See you in Indy!

]]>Sun, 23 Mar 2025 19:19:01 -0800<![CDATA[TapWyse Wrapped 2024! ]]>http://tapwyse.com/tap-tales/post/tapwyse-wrapped-2024Last year was a tough one for craft beer but TapWyse partners have seen some big wins! Craft breweries are getting scrappy and taking back control of ]]>

Last year was a tough one for craft beer but TapWyse partners have seen some big wins! Craft breweries are getting scrappy and taking back control of their customers, messaging and revenue! It's time to look back at what the heck happened in 2024 and which of your beer making friends have joined the mobile app marketing, loyalty and membership party!



Here at TapWyse, we believe that direct customer engagement and messaging through your owned channels will become critical in 2025! We believe that craft brewery memberships to drive guest loyalty and recurring revenue will be play a key role in our continued growth as an industry ! We are here to help!


BOOK A DEMO
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