360: Taproom and Hospitality Tips | CiderCon 2023

Everything in the taproom should be adjustable

This Taproom Tips workshop was presented at CiderCon 2023 by Katie Black and Megan MacLean and it is packed with info!

In this episode

• A four prong approach to brand identity
• How to respond to taproom reviews
• 3 key factors when building culture for a taproom
• Hiring tips and training tips
• The timeline of a tasting room
• Recruiting systems and training
• Interview tips from Meghan
• Integrating future growth in your design
• Draft systems
• The "secret" dishwasher
• Polishing your glassware - do you have space?
• Cider cocktails set up
• The flow behind the bar design
• Bathrooms design
• In house residencies - food trucks vendors
• Bar Bible and what it should have

Who is Katie Black?

Katie entered the CiderCon® world in 2021 as of the first Kulture scholarship recipients. Her endless love for fermentation & product development peaked her curiosity on fruited ferments.

She calls the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina home. Here, she also graduated from the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast with a Brewing, Distillation, & Fermentation degree.

Consulting has been part of the last 6 years for Katie in various realms of business, with a primary focus in the food & beverage world. The majority of her experience started within the brewing industry; from business openings, management, & even working her way into the cellar. This landed her with reopening & rebranding the original taproom at Artifact Cider Project. Before that, you could find her working for DSSOLVR brewing and spending sunrises harvesting in the mountains. She currently is working as an assistant distiller at the notable amaro distillery, Eda Rhyne.

Contact for Katie Black

• [email protected]
• Instagram @bevswithkb

Who is Megan MacLean?

Megan MacLean is a hospitality operations consultant with 14 years of experience in restaurants and taprooms. She specializes in private events, recruiting, training programs, people management, and operational system design. Most recently, Megan served as the hospitality director for Artifact Cider Project. She has since launched a solo consulting business, aimed at improving the industry she has come to know and love. Megan lives in Boston and travels extensively, working with clients all over the country. 

Contact for Megan MacLean

• [email protected]
• @m_f_mac on Instagram

Mentions in this Chat

• Grafting Workshop at Brook Farm Orchard, Ashfield Massachusetts April 15, 2023 1-3 pm
  • contact Alan Suprenant [email protected]
• Canuck Cider Cup - entries in by April 21, 2023
• Revolution will not be Pasteurized - Ross on Wye Cider and Perry Co. 2023 keg tour
  • Follow Ross Cider on Facebook
  • @rosscider on Instagram

• Fermentis - Yeast and Fermentation Solutions for Cidermakers. 

• Subscribe to eCiderNews

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