MBG Con Goes Virtual - Offering Three Days of Online Learning

Technical Brewing, Business & Communication | Oct 5, 6 & 7

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- (9/16/2020) The Mass Brewers Guild, a non-profit trade association dedicated to protecting craft breweries across Massachusetts, today announces that MBG Con, the organization’s 3rd annual technical brewing and business conference, will shift to an online model starting Monday, Oct. 5 and will run through Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. 

A lineup of renowned experts, including Rob Tod, founder of Allagash Brewing Co., Matt Stinchfield, Safety Ambassador of the Brewers Association, Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, Diversity Ambassador for the Brewers Association, Jim Koch founder of Boston Beer and Dan Kenary, founder of Mass Bay Brewing Co., will share best practices, hard lessons learned, and strategies for survival during these challenging times. 

This year’s conference will have three main areas of focus; technical brewing, business, and communication, covering everything from SOPs to bookkeeping, paid advertising strategies and yeast management. Attendees can choose the day, or track, that best suits their role within the industry, or they can attend the entire conference. 

“It’s been a difficult few months for the brewing community, to say the least,” says Katie Stinchon, executive director of the Mass Brewers Guild. “Despite the fact that we all can’t be together -- learning, listening, and being inspired by fellow brewery owners and colleagues is the best way to survive this pandemic. Even now, with all of the heightened competition, our brewers are ready to share how they are navigating these waters -- what’s working, what’s not – in order to support one another. It’s what makes the brewing industry so unique and amazing to be a part of.” 

Tickets are just $25 a day for Mass Brewers Guild members, and $50 for non-members. All ticket proceeds support the Mass Brewers Guild and its work to protect and promote the craft beer industry across the Commonwealth. Due to festival and event cancellations, this is the only fundraiser slated for the association this year. The event hopes to raise $7k for the Mass Brewers Guild. 

“We wanted to make this event as accessible as possible for our beer family,” says Stinchon. “One of the great perks of a virtual event is that we can draw experts and attendees from all over the country. Our goal is to ensure that the brewing community is armed with the knowledge and skills it needs to remain successful, independent, small businesses that continue to stimulate the economy, revitalize downtown communities, and employ locals.”

All sessions offer ample time for Q&A and ticket holders will receive supporting materials and the recording of each session for later viewing. MBG Con is made possible thanks to presenting sponsor, Bernstein Shur and supporting businesses ABS Commercial, Acadia Insurance, arryved, Bowditch, Cavallo & Signorello Insurance, Drink Tanks, Four Star Farms, InTouch Labels, Micro Matic, Omega Yeast, Petainer and Solar On Earth. All of these businesses are associate members of the Mass Brewers Guild and help make our educational programs possible.  

To view the entire lineup of speakers, or to purchase tickets to MBG Con, visit MassBrewersGuild.org.

About the Mass Brewers Guild
Founded in 2007 by a group of committed and passionate brewers, the Mass Brewers Guild, is organized for the purposes of promoting craft brewing and protecting the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth. The association is membership based and open to all Massachusetts breweries licensed by the federal Tax and Trade Bureau and the Commonwealth’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The nonprofit creates a community of brewers while shining light on the broad range of breweries and styles offered throughout the state. Through industry and educational events, its mobile application beer trail map, and by providing resources and marketing support to brewers, the nonprofit works to highlight Massachusetts as a top travel destination for craft beer in the U.S. The board also continues its work at the legislative level, fighting for license and franchise law reform, and serving as the voice of craft brewers on Beacon Hill. The Massachusetts Brewers Guild is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit corporation.

Mass Brewers Guild Hosts First New Brewery Bootcamp

60 attendees sell out Conference to Learn from Experts 

Yesterday, at the Springdale Barrel Room in Framingham, MA, a crowd of 60 new breweries and breweries in-planning gathered at the "New Brewery Bootcamp," a full day seminar offered through the Mass Brewers Guild. 

The afternoon covered topics such as employee law, insurance risks, taxes, distribution, real estate leases, waste water management and more. Experts from Bowditch and Dewey Attorneys, Bernstein Shur Law Firm, Edelstein & Company CPAs, GHM Insurance, and Weston & Sampson shared their best practices and advice for navigating the industry. 

Co-founder of Jack's Abby Craft Lagers and Mass Brewers Guild treasurer, Sam Hendler, presented on the challenges of getting beer to market, and president of the Mass Brewers Guild and co-founder of Night Shift Brewing, Rob Burns, spoke candidly about his growing pains as an experienced brewer and entrepreneur. 

"This conference was born out of popular demand and a need in the Massachusetts craft beer industry," says Rob Burns, co-founder of Night Shift Brewing and president of the Mass Brewers Guild. "There are 30 breweries in-planning slated to open this year and we want to provide these budding entrepreneurs with the resources they need to remain successful, independent businesses. Opening a brewery is about more than brewing great beer." 

The sold out, ticketed event helped to raise $1,000 for the Mass Brewers Guild, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and promote the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth. Due to its success organizers say it will become a yearly program. 

To date, more than 122 breweries exist across the state and employ more than 3,000 locals. MA craft breweries drive traffic and tourism to the Commonwealth and pour world-class craft beer to thirsty locals and travelers. Massachusetts’ breweries are ranked among the best in the world, country and region, with accolades and awards being announced weekly.

For more information about the Mass Brewers Guild, or its upcoming events, visit MassBrewersGuild.org. 

Celebrating our legal warriors who fight the good fight – for craft beer

Today is national, “Be Kind to Lawyers Day.” Didn’t know that such a day existed?

We can see how you might overlook it – but we are grateful for our legal experts that help to sort out the dizzying legal system here in Massachusetts and ensure that our properties and trademarks are protected.

We recently did a Q&A with four of our associate members that also serve as a reference to the Mass Brewers Guild whenever we have a question or two --  Tawny L. Alvarez from Verrill Dana, John Connell, from the Law Offices of John P. Connell, John Moran from Bernstein Shur and Robert Young from Bowditch and Dewey. We asked them to weigh in on everything from who they’d love to have a beer with, to what they think is the most common, avoidable, legal mistake brewers make.

Check it out - (There’s no clock running … so soak up the free advice!) - and spread the love to your lawyer today who keeps you on the straight and arrow. 

About Tawny Alvarez: Tawny centers her practice on the understanding that the employment landscape is ever-changing—from medical marijuana’s effect on drug testing, to the effect of social networking in the workplace and mobile devices’ effect on wage and hour issues. In this evolving landscape she recognizes that for companies to remain profitable and successful they must be proactive, as opposed to reactive, to these employment issues.

MBG: What’s the hardest part of dealing with Massachusetts’ alcohol laws?
T. Alvarez: "Brewers are applying increasingly creative solutions to create and deliver to consumers a quality product, yet many of the alcohol laws in MA—and other states—have failed to adapt to the changing marketplace. When you have a quickly developing and highly regulated market in which the regulations are antiquated, it sometimes makes it difficult to assist brewers in achieving the long-term goals they are looking for."

MBG: If you could create your own six pack, what would be in it?
T. Alvarez: “This week: Jack’s Abby Hoponius Union; Wachusett Blueberry Ale; Trillium Brewing Wild Broken Angel; Allagash Goulschip (why I’m craving pumpkin in spring is anyone’s guess); Flight Deck Brewing Rye Wing Porter; and Night Shift’s Pfaffenheck.”

MBG: If you could have a beer with anyone, who would it be and why?
T. Alvarez: “My favorite beer is always one with the brewer so that I can understand what their inspiration was for the brew.  If I had to pick one person and why: President Barack Obama.  I need to find out whether Bud Light is really his beer of choice.

About John Connell: Throughout his legal career, John has concentrated his practice in the area of civil litigation and licensing, particularly that area of licensing having to deal with alcoholic beverages, entertainment and professional licenses. John has represented individuals and businesses of all sizes in many areas of civil litigation, including contract matters, employment discrimination, real estate disputes, securities’ fraud, professional misconduct and corporate management disputes. With regard to clients in the alcoholic beverages industry, John represents alcoholic beverage wholesalers, brokers and retailers from all over Massachusetts

MBG: What do you think is the biggest misconception about lawyers?
J. Connell: “They exist to separate you from your money.”

MBG: If you could have a beer with anyone, who would it be and why?
J. Connell: “A Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, because they seem interesting.”

MBG: What’s the most common and avoidable legal mistake brewers make?
J. Connell: “Getting too far into a Lease or taking a site with a landlord who demonstrates he/she is unreasonable to begin with or failing to fully understand the site, and later finding there is no drainage; the ceilings are too low for tanks; no room for expansion; the tanks don't fit into the space or the basement; the loading dock is not for their exclusive use; not enough parking; no room for dumpsters; zoning does not permit pouring as a bar; zoning does not permit manufacturing; the triple net includes unreasonable common area improvement expenses, etc...  Site selection and lease terms seem to be the most common issues brewers seem to wish they could come back and revisit after they are too far down the road to make necessary changes.” 

About John Moran: John practices in all areas of business law, providing counsel and advice to a broad array of corporate clients on matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, intellectual property development and licensing, as well as general business and corporate matters. As a dedicated counselor, John provides his clients with thoughtful guidance through the ins and outs of starting and scaling a business in a rapidly changing and expanding industry.

MBG: What do you like about working with breweries?
J. Moran: “The people.  I have found it very rewarding and worthwhile to work directly with various brewery owners whose primary goals are to produce great craft beer and also to operate a successful small business that takes care of its employees.  It has also been very fulfilling to advise these brewery owners on starting and growing their own, distinct breweries – from the start-up phase to the development phase.  The four-packs are awesome, too.”

MBG: What’s the hardest part of dealing with Massachusetts’ alcohol laws? 
J. Moran: “The state liquor laws that touch on some of the most emerging trends in the craft beer industry are either non-existent or open to multiple interpretations.  As a result, it is sometimes challenging to advise breweries on a particular issue when the state liquor laws do not provide much certainty or concrete guidance.”

MBG: What’s the most common and avoidable legal mistake brewers make?
J. Moran: “Not properly vetting and securing the brewery’s brand before beginning brewery operations. Once the brewery is up and running, it is very costly and challenging to undergo a complete rebrand.”

About Robert Young: Robert advises businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations on a broad range of employment matters. He defends these clients against a variety of claims, including discrimination and retaliation, non-competition, trade secrets, and wage-and-hour matters. He has litigated disputes in state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies. He counsels clients in matters outside of litigation, including the negotiation of agreements, medical leaves, and accommodation requests, as well as employee discipline and termination matters. In addition, he conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, including alleged harassment, whistleblower, and other employee claims.

MBG: What do you think is the biggest misconception about lawyers? 
R. Young: “That, in the words of C. Montgomery Burns, we are all “vipers” who “live on pain and misery.”  We’re nice people.  Really.” 

MBG: What do you like about working with breweries? 
R. Young: "I find the passion, dedication and outright talent for brewing to be inspiring, and I have marveled at the entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen I have seen that allows the art of brewing to develop into a thriving enterprise. 

I have also witnessed on several occasions what I would call “collaborative competiveness,” where experienced brewers have been willing to share their knowledge and experiences with others just starting out, even though they may someday compete for the same customers’ dollars.  That spirit of helpfulness and cooperation is a refreshing change of pace from the cutthroat world of other industries.  (And, if it leads to collaboration brews, all the better . . .) " 

MBG: If you could create your own six pack, what would be in it? 
R. Young: “What a great question.  In no particular order:

1. Anything made by Trillium that starts with the words “Double Dry Hopped” (or containing the words “with cold brewed coffee . . .”)
2. Bean Porter by Night Shift (I had genuine difficulty deciding between this and Trifecta)
3. Coffee Barrel-Aged Framinghammer by Jack’s Abby (though the Mole variant could also make its way in there)
4. Big Ern by Castle Island (just edging out Candlepin and Keeper)
5. Bottle Rocket by Wormtown Brewery (I also considered Be Hoppy, but felt like I needed one pale ale)
6. Citra Legacy by Medusa (only barely edging out Indian Summer by Cold Harbor Brewing; I’m thinking that the rye in Citra Legacy would add a bit of change of pace to the other IPAs)
   
   Did you notice how I was able to use the parentheticals to expand my six-pack?  Lawyers . . . always looking for loopholes!”