Brewing Up a Business: Adventures in Beer from the Founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

by Sam Calagione

Book Overview

Updated business wisdom from the founder of Dogfish Head, the nation's fastest growing independent craft brewery

Starting with nothing more than a home brewing kit, Sam Calagione turned his entrepreneurial dream into a foamy reality in the form of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, one of America's best and fastest growing craft breweries.

In this newly updated Second Edition, Calagione offers a deeper real-world look at entrepreneurship...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470942312
• ISBN13: 9780470942314
• Release Date: February 2011
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Got boring after a few chapters

More of a simpleton business book than anything. I found the first few chapters about the author's early personal life somewhat interesting though.

To answer your question...

So why buy this book? The reasons are three-fold: Firstly, if you have any interest in what makes Dogfish Head, Dogfish Head, you're a candidate. This book provides a peak at the mind behind the movement, the creation of the brand, and the hard years that made the company. It will give you a look at what's behind the label, behind the bottle, and into the blood, sweat, and tears. Chances are you already know how unique the beer is, but you may not know why. Secondly, if you have an interest in starting your own business, of any kind, there is something for you in here. It must be said that, though this book centers on starting a small business, it should be used primarily as a springboard to bigger ideas not as a blueprint. Sam introduces a large number of ideas from which to develop your own strategies and fit your own needs. To his credit, he never explicitly tells you what to do (though occasionally what not to do) which is positive because your business should have your personality in it, not Sam Calagione's. Again to his credit, he provides the reader with his own sources during his years of preparation. Books by other entrepreneurs which will help flesh out any idea. He also gives his OWN credit to the many people that got him and Dogfish Head where they are today. That is not a common theme in the world. Again, this book is not for you if you're looking for advanced strategies or specific business models. But it's a fantastic starting point. Lastly, this book is wonderful for literature's sake. Even someone with no deep interest in beer or business can appreciate it. I've passed it on to several who have. Sam's superb writing style, along with his stories and anecdotes, serve both to keep the book entertaining and to illustrate and emphasize his points. Honestly, there is no reason not to own this book. Anyone and everyone can learn something from its pages whether it be a major revelation, or a minor insight. Dogfish Head's motto is "Off-centered ales for off-centered people," but this book hits it dead on.

Read This book!

I got this book as a gift, which was great because I wanted to buy it anyway. Like the author I am an Entrepreneur in the brewing industry. This was a great read for me because not only did I relate to the stories but I felt great ideas and points were made. This is a must read for someone who is interested in brewing to an industry vet. Cheers. Sean W. Cody Founder & President BYOB Brewery, LLC Danvers, MA

Excellent source for those interested in Branding strategy

Letter I wrote the author...he responded immediately: Just wanted to let you know that I saw your book advertised in an Issue of Southern Brew News. I am quite familiar with your beer, but I have always viewed your product as being a touch over the top and perhaps even overdone. I went out and purchased the book. WOW! How inspirational your book is to aspiring business leaders. Your grasp of branding is scary. I am lucky to have a pub in my town that has some of your beer on draft. I will always include at least one of these beers in my sessions from now on. I will never try to fit your beer into a particular preconceived style...I will savor the beer as art.

A great read that's not just for beer lovers

As a sole proprietor,I found the collective wisdom contained in "Brewing Up a Business" impassioned, engaging, humorous, and above all obligatory for anyone wanting to start a business. Sam's "off centered" approach will captivate anyone reading this book. It's easy to see how Dogfish Head has achieved it's success.

The Entrepreneurial Handbook

Just like yeast turns sugar into alcohol, Sam Calagione turned his passion for great beer into one of the most innovative brewing companies in America (if not the world) - the seminal Dogfish Head brewing company. Calagione proves that mammoth budgets and mainstream business models are not requirements to take a dream and turn it into a business. Calagione started Dogfish Head with a less than ideal 10 gallon homebrew setup in the restaurant to make the beer for the brewpub. He also started his brewery in the sleepy state of Delaware when the micro beer craze was dying down in the US. Dogfish Head now brews batches in excess of 6,000 gallons, has multiple brewing locations, and distributes its beer across the US. It also has preserved if not strengthened its revered following. Crazes die off but demanding palates will always cry out for bold beers with character. The book is a must read for anyone venturing into business for themselves. I'm a longtime homebrewer and the brewing aspect of the text is a great bonus but definitely not the premise. On the flip side, a beer nut or brewer will likely enjoy the book for those aspects. The author puts his passion and the customer first, explains the virtue of filling the gap between the perception of your business and reality, and a myriad of other things that one should and must consider. There are also many enlightening elements in this book (for example - an innovative group of people is much more powerful than an inventive person). I suspect the seasoned entrepreneur could find much value in this book as well. Calgione writes in an open and experienced voice of someone who has been there and done it. It's obvious this guy loves what he does and knows the business inside and out. Pragmatic, Passionate, and Creative. If you are going out on your own, this book should part of the preparation. This book tops my list for the year hands down. Good show!