The Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream – New $1 Million Grant Program

For 10 years, Jim has been a critical part of supporting thousands of artisanal food and beverage small businesses across the country through the Brewing the American Dream Program, which has given critical guidance to more than 10,000 business owners through speed coaching events and mentoring, provided more than $27 million in loans to small business owners and independent brewers, and created or saved 7,100 jobs. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival, Jim teased that for the first time he will be providing $1 million in initial funding to support a new business grant program for artisans and brewers who are at the center of job creation and economic growth in their communities. More details about the grant specifics will soon be made available by Sam Adams.

What Jim has to say:

“Artisanal jobs, including brewing, are often overlooked as an economic growth engine, but I believe strongly these businesses are the future of American manufacturing and the job creation tip of a larger social movement. It’s the responsibility of successful businesses to help stimulate artisans who are under-resourced and facing other barriers to success. Through this new grant program, we are doubling down with our support for those artisans dedicated to creating high-quality foods, beverages and beers and further stimulating our community of craftspeople.”

More information is available at: www.brewingtheamericandream.com.
The Samuel Adams Brewing & Business Experienceship
Another key initiative at the core of Samuel Adams support for the craft beer industry and fellow artisans is the annual Brewing & Business Experienceship, which helps brewers grow and succeed through training and financial support. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival, Sam Adams named Allan and Alicia Conger from 1912 Brewing in Tucson, AZ, the winners of the 2019 Experienceship.
Veteran-owned, Allan and Alicia Conger began 1912 Brewing with a true love of beer and the mission to incorporate their heritage story within the brewery and their beers. After homebrewing in their garage for nine years, Allan and Alicia created 1912 Brewing to follow their love of everything beer and to become their own boss. They noticed there was a lack of “Latin flare” and veteran influence in their local market and wanted to make an impact with a new brewery culture. Their brews are now served at their taproom and more than 100 bars and restaurants throughout Arizona.

The Experienceship will be tailored to Alan and Alicia’s specific business needs with opportunities that include business coaching, a trip to the Sam Adams Boston Brewery to learn from the brewers and business experts, the opportunity to brew a collaboration beer with Sam Adams and financial support to attend industry events like the Great American Beer Festival.

What Allan and Alicia have to say:

“We feel so grateful to win the Experienceship and look forward to working with the team at Sam Adams.  We could use the Experienceship to improve every aspect of our business – from distribution, marketing, production, and branding. We would like to expand not only our business but the Latin and veteran aspects that influence our brewery culture. Hiring more veterans, giving back even more to those communities, expanding product selections and breaking into markets dominated by the ‘traditional domestic’ offerings are a few of our goals.”

Learn more about Samuel Adams Brewing & Business Experienceship at www.btad.samueladams.com/how-we-help/brewing-and-business-experienceship.