Beer School

Bottling Success at the Brooklyn Brewery

De: Steve Hindy, Tom Potter

Narrado por: Steve Hindy, Tom Potter

Is this a book for beer aficionados or business enthusiasts? Both, and it's as refreshing as a cold brew.

In Beer School, authors and entrepreneurs Steve Hindy and Tom Potter share the improbable saga of Brooklyn Brewery, the company they grew from a home-brew hobby into a multimillion-dollar business - all in the most competitive beer market in the United States.

If you have a thirst for entrepreneurial success, drink up. If you are a business manager or owner and want fresh ideas and insight, tap in. You'll learn entrepreneurial basics, plus some things textbooks don't teach you, as you follow the company's successes (and a few failures) and find out about:

• Creating that all-important first business plan
• Getting financing and/or recruiting investors
• Using guerilla marketing, publicity, and community involvement to attract attention
• Keeping employees educated and motivated
• Partnering on events and networking for opportunities
• Keeping your cool when the Mafia comes calling
• Hiring "virgins" - why veteran salespeople can have problems in start-ups
• Managing people, finances, expectations, and growth
• Surviving a vociferous attack in Las Vegas when the odds against you are eight-to-one

From the beginning, the odds were against Steve and Tom. It's estimated that eight out of 10 businesses fail in their first year. Yet these entrepreneurs succeeded in a competitive arena dominated by mega-corporations and mega-money. The brew they began making in a Brooklyn brownstone over 20 years ago is now sold around the world. Their story, recounting the fears and obstacles they faced and the decisions and successes they shared, will inspire you.

Like discovering the perfect brew or starting a business, listening to this book is a heady experience. Cheers!

©2007 Steve Hindy and Tom Potter (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Great book for a mixed crowd!

This was a great story for a mixed crowd, i.e. brewers, aspiring brewers/owners, or those who just like beer and appreciate the craft beer culture. I live in NY, I am an aspiring brewery owner, and Brooklyn Brewery beers are in my top 3 favorite craft beers. It was amazing hearing the story about how Steve and Tom built the business and the hardships and successes they experienced along the way. The only small criticism I have is with Steve’s narration. Steve has a very sibilant “S” to the point where it was slightly painful to my ears to listen to (I had to turn the volume down whenever Steve was narrating). The editors of the recording should have used a De-Esser in post to get rid of the sharp sounding S. This is not a criticism against Steve at all! Would totally recommend.

Decent Enough

The story was decent. Good to hear their perspective on business and starting Brooklyn Brewing. Tom Potter's reading was great, but Steve Hindy should stick to writing journalism.