Why Brewery Growth Doesn’t Always Mean Profit

What does it really take to build a sustainable brewery? In this BREWER Podcast, Executive Editor Jon Sicotte talks with Scot Yarnell of Earnest Brew Works about the business lessons behind the brewery’s first decade in Toledo, Ohio. Yarnell shares candid insights on why growth doesn’t always lead to profit, how a beer can perform differently in distribution than in the taproom, and the tradeoffs behind expansion. He also discusses Earnest’s four distinct locations, why the brewery has stayed focused on beer rather than opening a full restaurant, and how his role has changed over the years.