Today, we’d like to introduce you to Brent Anderson.
Hi Brent, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Brief synopsis: It was 2017, and I had just left Kansas City’s largest brewery, Boulevard, where I was their Creative Director. I met my now business partner over an early morning soccer game (we’re both huge fans), where he was serving incredible beer I hadn’t yet had. He told me he had tried to start a brewery five years previous before shelving the idea because of life interruptions. By the end of the match, we had committed to giving it a go. Let’s just say since then, we have hit every possible speed bump, from locations falling through, day job interruptions, COVID-19, you name it.
Starting a brewery is no small undertaking, from funding to legalities. But over that time, we established a name and presence and participated in brew tests. After months of Covid-delayed construction, we opened in June of 2023 in a 100-year-old former hardware store in the dynamic and unique pocket of downtown Shawnee. Our social media following has exploded; we’re in a good beer groove, have a steady stream of regulars and newbies, and are ready to take it to the next level.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha, in our case no. Primarily because of the general weight of opening a brewery. If we were a bakery, we could have started in our basement, sold at farmer’s markets, built a brand presence and grown steadily. With beer, you’re either brewing at home or raising a million dollars. We obviously went the latter route.
No entrepreneurial venture is easy, but anything in liquor brings added legal hurdles, paperwork, licensing, and general headaches for which we were not fully prepared.
We don’t come from money and have had countless meetings with prospective investors and funding sources to actually get it all off the ground.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I traveled extensively before settling into steady work, first in the music industry and then in advertising and branding for the last 20+ years. I started in journalism and, as a writer, found a natural path to copywriting, which then led to the intricacies of branding (e.g., naming, taglines, sloganeering, etc.).
To that end, I named the now ubiquitous Roomba robotic vacuum. Pivoting to a brewery after my history felt like a full-circle transition and something in which I could build a legacy. Now, I can build a brand in a realm I’ve come to love.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, time is at such a premium, and I don’t have much of a commute; I find most podcasts and books a luxury I try to make time for. I regularly follow industry sources like Brewbound on the work front for news, insights, and trends. Because I currently do all our social media, I’m far too entangled in all those apps, but it’s given me an even better understanding of those channels.
I also just love Instagram for the creative photography side of it (though not its descent into monetization via advertising). As a cyclist, I lean hard on Strava for tracking my rides and physical exertion. And really, it’s time off devices that sometimes gives me the most peace, whether lying horizontal on the couch listening to an album or doing some yoga to keep limber.
Contact Info:
- Website: frictionbeer.com
- Instagram: @frictionbeer
- Facebook: Facebook.com/frictionbeer
- Twitter: @frictionbeer
Image Credits
Drew Woolery, Zach Baumann, and Brent Anderson
