Opening a craft brewery in 2025 takes more than good beer - it takes clarity, discipline, and real strategy.

In this episode of the Ready To Drink Podcast, Nate Fochtman sits down with Kyle Underkoffler, co-founder of Berg Brewing Company in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to break down what it actually takes to build a brewery from scratch in today’s crowded beer market.

This conversation covers:

• How Berg Brewing transformed a historic building into a working brewery
• Why European beer styles, simplicity, and quality still matter
• The realities of running a small brewery and wearing every hat
• Building a business with family and maintaining trust
• Why founders need a clear vision before spending their first dollar
• How hospitality, leadership, and culture impact long-term success

This episode is built for craft brewers, beverage founders, and operators who want to understand the business behind the beer - not just the branding.

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Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

In this episode of the Ready To Drink Podcast, I sit down on site in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania with Yianni Barakos, Founder of Mason Dixon Distillery - for a raw, unscripted conversation about heritage, resilience, and what it really means to build something that lasts.

Yianni shares the deep roots behind Mason Dixon Distillery, tracing his family’s Greek immigrant story, the culture of hospitality that shaped his upbringing, and the work ethic passed down through generations. We talk about learning how to build a still at age 11, growing up in and around his father’s diner, and how those early lessons in community, craftsmanship, and generosity became the foundation of his business today.

This conversation goes far beyond spirits. We get into:

- Why hospitality is about presence, not just product
- The difference between serving drinks and creating experiences
- Overcoming physical adversity and building a business with intention
- The role of community in sustaining independent businesses
- Raising the next generation with values of competence, confidence, and capability

Mason Dixon Distillery isn’t just a distillery - it’s a living example of how culture, family, and purpose can be poured into every glass.

This episode was filmed cold - no prep, no script - just a real conversation about building something meaningful.

Recorded on location at Mason Dixon Distillery, Gettysburg, PA
Learn more at FindMasonDixon.com

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Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

Justin Hoak didn’t set out to build one of the most unique brewery models in Pennsylvania - but that’s exactly what Yah Brew has become. In this episode of the Ready To Drink Podcast, Justin breaks down how Yah Brew grew from selling crowlers at pop-ups to launching a full production facility, multiple taprooms, and a completely original 90s-themed brand experience that’s pulling people in for more than just beer.

We talk about the real decisions behind expansion, how to avoid the traps that shut breweries down, why nostalgia still sells, and how a one-barrel basement system is feeding two taprooms while a turnkey production site comes online. Justin also opens up about the early days bartending, learning the craft, shaping a brand built on fun, culture, and details, and building revenue streams that actually make sense in today’s market.

If you’re a founder, brewer, or anyone paying attention to where the industry is heading, this is a masterclass in strategic creativity and survival.

Chapters include:
– The origins of Yah Brew and the 90s theme
– Expanding into Hershey and Middletown
– Hoagie shop and food strategy
– Contract brewing, collaborations, and industry decline
– How to expand without sinking the ship
– Game nights, community, and keeping people in the taproom
– The new production facility and full co-op brewery model

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Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com