WORD TO THE WISE
 Sam Holloway 
President,
Co-Founder
Greetings!
ANGUISH, LONELINESS, DEPRESSION: LIVING IN THE BEER INDUSTRY THROUGH LOCKDOWNS, RESTARTS, AND UNCERTAINTY
Sometimes I struggle with what to put in this newsletter. Usually, I aim to balance between positivity, hard truths, success stories and strategic inspiration. I don't often get all of these right, but I try to come close in one or two areas each week. This week isn't one of those weeks. This week I want to address something I'm not skilled at, but something many of us are feeling: The depression that comes with working in beer during a global pandemic.

In times like these, when I'm not the expert, I love turning to people in this community. My friends at The Crafty Pint in Australia authored a two part series called Coping With COVID. It's raw stuff, well written, full of emotion and maybe exactly what you needed today to realize you aren't alone. It's OK to be scared, and you may not be making the best choices to protect your mental health. Image credit: TheCraftyPint.com
SIMON THORPE EXITS LION LITTLE WORLD

As I read about Simon Thorpe's departure on Brewbound, I was struck by how refreshing his outlook is for the beer industry in general and for brewery valuations in particular. Even during a global pandemic, when uncertainty and depression can reign, Thorpe had a different take. Fresh off 18 months working to integrate New Belgium into Lion Little World, Thorpe indicated his departure doesn't mean new acquisitions are finished nor does it mean the outlook is bleak. Credit to Brewbound's Editor, Justin Kendall for an uplifting read that indicates Thorpe's end is only the beginning for Lion Little World's North American ambitions. Image credit: Brewbound.com

Would you like to know more about how to value a craft beer business? Is finance not your thing? We've put together a white paper aimed to give beer makers the vocabulary and self confidence to begin determining a valuation for your business. Click below (Members only)
NEW VIDEO: GROWING YOUR SMALL BREWERY DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
LATEST UPLOADS
Most Active Forum Thread:
Upselling Techniques (Members only)

New Video:
(Publicly available)


Updated Resource Page:
(Publicly Available)
WHAT'S BREWING
OUT FOR BLOOD FUND RAISER FOR BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH BEGINS AGAIN

We've been struggling this year with how to ask our members to help us defeat all blood cancers. During a pandemic when times are tough, asking beer businesses to make donations doesn't always feel like the right thing to do. But cancer marches on and it won't stop even if our industry is struggling. We've made the decision to redouble our efforts and pivot our fund raising strategy a bit from last year.

Last year, several incredibly generous and talented breweries made Out For Blood Beers and donated a portion of the profits to our program, which raised over $4,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year, we are still making the beer and looking for breweries to volunteer, but we are amplifying our direct giving efforts since we recognize it is a difficult time to make and sell beer. Please keep your eyes here for more information about how you can help spread the word in our direct donation campaign.

FEATURED MEMBER OF THE MONTH
RUSS ROTONDI
FOUNDER, CRAFT LAWYER
First and foremost, Russ Rotondi is a great husband, father, person, and attorney. When you add to that a rabid Portland Timbers fan, you have the complete package. I've used Russ' legal skills personally and referred him to many CAS members. He's bright, caring, knowledgeable and honest; and he hasn't paid me a dime to say any of these things about him. Our community is about people like Russ who consistently help others achieve their dreams. Congratulations, Russ Rotondi on being our August 2020 CAS Member of the Month!
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