What does it take to scale from a bold idea to a beverage category leader?

We sit down with Athletic Brewing’s CFO Evan Zawatsky and communications leader Chris Furnari to dig into the decisions that powered Athletic’s rise: owning production, investing in quality, and building a marketing engine that turns awareness into velocity.

Evan opens the playbook on why Athletic poured serious CapEx into state-of-the-art breweries in Connecticut and San Diego.

That move secured quality control, unlocked flavor innovation, improved margins, and gave the team agility to grow without supply constraints.

Chris explains how the brand story evolved from convincing people to try non-alcoholic beer to showing who it’s for: active, balance-minded drinkers who want great beer flavors throughout the week.

Together, they share how “cans in hands” at race finish lines and community events are key to brand building, how partnerships and earned media create the surround sound needed to convert trial into repeat purchase.

If you care about brewery finance, brand strategy, or the surge in non-alcoholic beer, this podcast is packed with practical and clear frameworks you can apply at any scale.

Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

In today's podcast we show how breweries can turn recipe development and process innovation into real cash using the federal R&D tax credit, plus a clear path to claim refunds retroactively.

Maggie Crowley and Devin Medrick from Leyton explain the IRS tests, missed opportunities, state add-ons, and energy efficiency deductions.

• What the IRS four-part test means for brewing work
• Real examples: first-batch runs, recipe changes, process tweaks
• Eligible costs: wages at three levels, contractors, supplies
• Simple documentation that passes audit standards
• Typical credit ranges and three-year lookbacks
• State credits that stack with federal benefits
• Startup payroll tax offset for young breweries
• Recent law changes reversing R&D cost capitalization
• 179D and cost segregation for building upgrades
• Quick steps: check Form 6765 and ask your head brewer

Want to learn how your brewery can unlock R&D tax credits? Reach out to Maggie Crowley, mcrowley@leyton.com or visit Leyton for more details.

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Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.

In today's podcast we lay out a simple path for Massachusetts breweries to use the Workforce Training Fund Express program for up to 100% reimbursement on financial training.

From eligibility to application steps, we reveal each step in the process to turn free training dollars into better profits and steadier cash flow.

• who qualifies and what reimbursement you can expect
• how to find and choose pre-approved courses in the catalog
• what documents you need for the application
• typical approval timing and how long approvals last
• why year end is the best time to apply
• next steps to book a call and get guided support

For Massachusetts breweries, book a call with me and I’ll walk you through the entire application.

For breweries in other states, email me about grant programs in your area - Kary@BeerBusinessFinance.com - let's work together to get you grant funds to cover the cost of financial training in the new year.

Ready to transform financial results in your beer business? Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of owners and managers working together to build more profitable companies.