# Brewing up Growth by Building on Heritage with Sprecher Brewing CEO, Sharad Chadha

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2022-04-12
- Length: 38m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Sharad Chadha, CEO of Sprecher Brewing Company, discusses his transition from multinational roles at GE Healthcare and Samsung to acquiring and running Wisconsin’s first craft brewery. He explains the strategic decision to pivot heavily toward craft sodas like Green River Soda and Sprecher’s own root beer, leveraging their heritage to differentiate in a crowded beverage market. Chadha details the operational challenges of installing new canning and bottling lines during the pandemic, including managing supply chain constraints and doubling the workforce to meet growing demand.

## Chapters

- [0:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=45) Introduction: Sharad Chadha and Sprecher Brewing Company
- [3:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=204) Chadha’s Career Path from Samsung and GE to Brewing
- [9:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=564) Acquiring Sprecher Brewing and the Impact of COVID-19
- [12:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=746) Strategic Pivot to Craft Sodas and Green River Soda
- [21:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=1306) Switching from Bottles to Cans and Supply Chain Issues
- [26:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=1618) Doubling Workforce and Hiring Leaders During the Pandemic
- [30:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-12-brewing-up-growth-by-building-on-heritage-with-sprecher-brewing-ceo-sharad-chadh#t=1811) Five-Year Vision and Portfolio Expansion

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Sprecher Brewing Company (company)
- GE Healthcare (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Electrolux (company)
- Green River Soda (product)
- Bay, Crusoe (product)
- Black Bear (product)

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- [#49 Scaling Health-Ade Kombucha's Operations with Co-Founder Justin Trout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-06-21-49-scaling-health-ade-kombuchas-operations-with-co-founder-justin-trout) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: Sam and Mariah Calagione](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione) (How I Built This)
- [How I Built Resilience: Kara Goldin of Hint](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-04-01-how-i-built-resilience-kara-goldin-of-hint) (How I Built This)
- [327 - The best soda you haven't heard about (probably)!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-10-21-327-the-best-soda-you-havent-heard-about-probably) (People of Packaging)
- [Brewing creativity with Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-25-brewing-creativity-with-jim-koch-of-boston-beer-company) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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