{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthe-true-craft-podcast.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fe122-drake-N_5_Uahv","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"E122: Making the Shift to Contract Brewing with Kevin Drake of Alibi Ale Works","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/08d545a3-9203-4abd-86bc-4e3550b24030/f4664578-634a-4340-bcb3-919e2cf7aeee/podcast.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/1ca5465e-bd24-4666-89eb-f33bb1ac1090\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"E122: Making the Shift to Contract Brewing with Kevin Drake of Alibi Ale Works\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"Join us at CBC 2026 for our free Brewery Profit Workshop on Monday, April 20th. Learn more and grab a spot at sbstandard.com/cbcprofit\n\n—\n\nIn this episode of The True Craft Podcast, we’re chatting with Kevin Drake of Alibi Ale Works. We unpack how operating two busy brewpubs in a tourist-driven market ultimately pushed them toward contract brewing (and why it turned out to be one of the most stabilizing decisions they’ve made...despite the emotional challenges).\n\nHighlights include:\n\n* The hidden inefficiencies of producing beer in a remote, seasonal market\n* How focusing on the taproom experience and NA offerings led to more predictable margins\n* Why partnering with both large and small contract brewers could be the big move in 2026\n\nKevin shares that contract brewing “was the hardest decision [he’s] ever had to make, because [he’s] the homebrewer that started a brewery—it’s part of [his] identity to make the beer.” If you’ve been wrestling with making a similar move, this episode is filled with honest and helpful insight from someone who has been in this business for over a decade."}