Kate Bernot

Even as the shortage of aluminum cans gradually eases, supply-chain issues are wreaking havoc on price and availability. Here are specific tips for making sure you have the packaging you need, when you need it.

• Cans
• Can Shortage
• Candemic

As vaccination rates lag and the Delta variant surges, some breweries are choosing to require proof of vaccination for staff or customers; in some places, it’s required by law. Here’s how some are implementing such policies while minimizing complications.

• COVID-19
• Pandemic
• Front of House

As unfilled hospitality jobs set new records, breweries may need to reconsider pay, benefits, and culture to better lure and keep good people.

• Human Resources
• Hiring
• Help Wanted

With inflation and supply-side costs in the headlines, many breweries are wondering whether now is the time to raise prices in their taprooms or on shelves. But experts warn not to make that decision too quickly.

• Inflation
• Costs
• Prices

A lack of shipping containers in Europe has made it impossible for many North American brewers to get malts they rely on for some of their most important beers. It’s unclear when the situation will improve.

• Supply Chain
• Forecasting
• Raw Materials

New Orleans’ Urban South outpaced its own ambitious goals for Louisiana. Now it’s thinking big in Texas—and beyond.

• Case Study
• Urban South
• Louisiana

As prices increase on everything from PakTech carriers to cardboard, here’s how breweries are thinking creatively—and sustainably—to reduce costs.

• Packaging
• Costs
• Efficiency

Online beers sales are growing, but there are complex state and local rules that must be understood to be followed. Knowing and following those rules is key to further expanding this avenue to additional sales.

• DTC
• Shipping
• Direct-to-Consumer

The recent outpouring of stories about sexism and harassment makes it plain that breweries must do more to cultivate environments where people look out for each other. Here are concrete suggestions from experts on how to get there.

• Human Resources
• Harassment
• Anti-Harassment

Tech that can bring beer labels to life—with animation, music, information, stories, and more—may soon be affordable to even the smallest breweries.

• Augmented Reality
• Virtual Reality
• Marketing

A small Michigan brewpub created a monster with its increasingly popular smoothie seltzer, expanding its footprint and inspiring imitators.

• Case Study
• Hard Seltzer
• Smoothie Seltzer

Let’s give the DO topic some oxygen—here are some practical ways that breweries using inline and mobile canning setups can reduce O2 in the package and better control freshness.

• Packaging
• Quality Control
• QC