Hardware Podcasts

Samuel Adams: Jim Koch (2017)

How I Built This · 24 Jul 2017 · 36m

What this episode covers

Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer Company, explains how he left a management consulting career to launch Samuel Adams in 1984, reviving a 150-year-old family recipe to create the craft beer movement. Koch details his 'lean startup' approach, including renting brewing space, hiring Dr. Joseph Owades, and personally cold-calling bars with beer in his briefcase to secure initial accounts. The episode highlights the brand's rapid growth after winning 'Best Beer in America' at the Great American Beer Festival, leading to a unique direct-to-consumer IPO that raised $65 million. Additionally, Kaitlin Mogental of Pulp Pantry discusses her garage-stage venture of turning juice bar pulp into snacks, focusing on sourcing ingredients and managing small-batch production.

Most relevant to

founders before launch and early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Boston Beer Company, Pulp Pantry, Chobani
Products
Samuel Adams, Anchor Steam
Also
Fritz Maytag, Dr. Joseph Owades, Great American Beer Festival, Kaitlin Mogental

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