I launched The Craft Beer Brief at the start of 2026, but the story goes back further.
I used to brew a lot of beer, it was my thing, the kind of hobby that consumed me and I didn't mind one bit (my family and wallet may have said otherwise). Eventually work got heavier, family life got more demanding, and the brewing and my connection to craft beer faded into the background. Not gone but just out of reach. That part stung more than I expected.
This newsletter is how I stayed connected. It fills a void I didn't know how to fill any other way. It keeps me close to the community, lets me dig into an industry I genuinely care about, and share what I find with likeminded people who love craft beer.
It's funded entirely out of my own pocket, and I want to be transparent.
I believe this should be free for anyone who wants to read it and that's not something I'm planning to change.
What are my current all-in costs?
Newsletter platform, tools & domain: ~$1,000/year out of my own pocket
(built in room for subscriber growth before hitting the next cost tier)
What your donation supports?
The Craft Beer Brief always staying free for every current and future subscriber.
The data and tools that I utilize to make the content useful to you the reader.
My ability to explore new information and tools to help improve newsletter content for you.
My personal time researching, writing, editing, and curating content (~4-5 hours each week).
If you get something out of my newsletter, perhaps content that resonated with you that made you think, a brewery you sought out, a cool article link we highlighted, or just a better sense of where this industry is actually heading, I'd be grateful for whatever you feel the value this newsletter content is worth. Any donation is appreciated.
Payments go directly to me. Your information never goes anywhere else.
PAYPAL DONATION VENMO DONATION
Can't donate right now? No problem, stay and keep reading. That's enough and if you want to help without spending anything, then share the newsletter with your craft beer friends. I appreciate all forms of support.