This is a part of a continuing series of Q&As with members of the brewing community from across the US. Brewer Magazine will share business and personal insights from Brewmasters, Head Brewers, Brewing Managers, Sales Directors, QCQA Managers and others each weekend to help you get to know each other better in the industry and learn more to better develop your own brand.
Amanda McLamb, co-founder/CEO, Resident Culture Brewing — Charlotte
BREWER: What inspired you to start your brewery, and how has your original vision evolved over time?
MCLAMB: My partner in business — and life — Phillip McLamb, is a born and raised Charlottean who believed in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood where his family ran their business since 1982. We were passionate about creating a community-facing gathering place that allowed people to come together, celebrate and make memories. What started as a brewery and taproom has grown into an adult beverage portfolio of craft beers, barrel aging, hard seltzers, non-alcoholic beer, and hemp-derived THC beverages, along with three total retail locations offering craft cocktails, coffee, and a food program.
BREWER: What has been your most successful strategy for navigating challenges like rising ingredient costs or economic downturns?
MCLAMB: One of our company’s core values is innovation. Our entire team strives to continue to evolve, which includes sourcing alternative products, learning about new partnership opportunities, and being willing and flexible to adjust our offerings to improve our products and experiences. I also firmly believe that in every failure, there are critical learnings that will inevitably make us better. We are so lucky to be in the craft Industry, where everyone shares their mistakes, hardships and resources.
BREWER: In the face of an evolving craft beer landscape, what significant changes have you noticed, and how has your brewery adapted to remain relevant?
MCLAMB: I don’t believe the craft beer world has ever stopped evolving. There is a passion for the classics and the legendary beers we all bring to bottle shares. Still, in my humble opinion, the craft is that we continue making the best liquids possible with consistency and quality. Innovation is one of our core values at Resident Culture, and we genuinely believe that we should never stop learning, trying new things and seeing where the mistakes and growth take us. We have the best team and care deeply about the industry and our craft. We have all found inspiration in each other and how we build on one another’s ideas. The connection with each other and our community is relevant to us, and I am so proud of how our team chooses to activate.
READ MORE: The Future of Beer: Crafting Unique Lagers, Seltzers, and Sustainable Brands
BREWER: What are you sippin’ on right now from your brewery that you really enjoy?
MCLAMB: I can’t go wrong with any of the liquids our brew team puts together. I am currently in love with Disco Baby, an American IPA that we have brewed a few times over the years and one that I’ve been looking forward to the last few releases.
BREWER: What trends in the craft beer industry do you think are worth investing in over the next few years?
MCLAMB: Although it has been a complicated and expensive endeavor, we believe in the future of non-alcoholic beer and have been putting time and effort towards creating beers that reflect the quality of our craft beer.
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