The brewing industry isn’t just about hops and barley anymore—it’s about bandwidth, branding, and building community. With economic pressure mounting from tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and shifting customer expectations, now more than ever, breweries must think beyond the pint glass and look toward innovation. Smart brewery tools can help in navigating these challenges effectively.
So, what separates the breweries that thrive from those that barely survive?
Smart tools.
From streamlining vendor coordination to enhancing the tasting room experience, modern breweries are harnessing digital tools to stay agile, profitable, and connected. And at the top of that list sits Hivey—a game-changing platform built to simplify event planning and vendor management for growing breweries.
Let’s explore how the smartest breweries are embracing technology to future-proof their operations, support local communities, and keep the kegs—and cash—flowing.
Smart Brewery Technology Tools
Technology is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the backbone of the modern craft brewing operation. Whether it’s managing logistics, marketing events, or enhancing the taproom experience, smart tech stacks are fueling smarter decisions and richer experiences.
Let’s break it down.
Why the Brewery Industry Needs Tech More Than Ever
The last few years have been… let’s say, “frothy.” Between pandemic closures, rising operational costs, aluminum shortages, and now, international tariffs, craft breweries are being squeezed from all sides.
What’s the solution?
Efficient, community-focused growth—and that’s exactly where technology steps in.
Here’s what breweries are up against:
- Steep increases in grain and hop prices due to tariffs
- Labor shortages and wage inflation
- A saturated local craft beer market
- Event cancellations impacting revenue streams
- Rising expectations from customers for smoother service
To stay ahead, the question becomes: How can we do more, with less, and still create a memorable, authentic experience?
Community Building Through Smarter Events
Events are the heartbeat of every local brewery. Trivia nights, food truck festivals, music sessions—they bring people together. But behind the scenes, managing those events can feel like a three-ring circus.
Enter Hivey.
Hivey isn’t just a digital organizer—it’s your new events partner. Whether you’re scheduling weekly comedy nights or coordinating vendor sign-ups for a summer beer fest, Hivey:
- Lets vendors RSVP and register digitally
- Sends automated reminders and updates
- Simplifies setup logistics
- Keeps all event information centralized and shareable
By eliminating spreadsheets, endless email threads, and confusion, Hivey frees up your team to focus on what matters—creating a killer experience for your guests.
Plus, when events run smoothly, guests stick around longer, spend more, and come back with friends.
Vendor Management Doesn’t Have to Be a Headache
Let’s be real: working with food trucks, musicians, local artists, and pop-up vendors is a huge part of your taproom culture. But juggling multiple vendors, contracts, and last-minute changes? That can drain your energy (and your revenue).
Hivey turns chaos into clarity by:
- Letting vendors view availability in real time
- Allowing quick changes and updates with zero phone tag
- Keeping communication clear between all involved parties
- Providing a mobile-friendly dashboard for on-the-go coordination
That means fewer double-bookings, fewer no-shows, and more reliable income from partner-based events.
Maximizing Revenue in Uncertain Times
The impact of rising tariffs on imported ingredients, packaging costs, and labor shortages is being felt at every level of the brewing industry. For many small breweries, it’s not just about growth—it’s about survival. So how do you maintain profitability without sacrificing guest experience or authenticity?
Here are a few proven ways smart breweries are staying financially resilient:
- Host More Community-Centric Events
Taproom trivia nights, live music, and food truck collaborations draw regular crowds and boost onsite sales. Even better? Partner with local nonprofits for events that give back—it builds goodwill and draws attention to your brand. - Offer Tiered Tastings or Paid Experiences
Curated experiences like “Brewmaster’s Table,” flight-and-food pairings, or behind-the-scenes tours are an easy way to turn casual visitors into high-value customers. - Launch a Mug Club or Membership Program
Recurring revenue is gold. Give members perks like discounts, exclusive pours, and early access to events. Not only does it bring in upfront cash—it creates a loyal customer base. - Upsell with Purpose
Consider limited-time merchandise drops, add-on snacks, or bundled items like “buy 3 crowlers, get 1 free.” Make it easy and enticing to spend more without being pushy. - Use Your Data Wisely
POS and event systems offer a goldmine of insights. Look at what sells, when your peak hours are, and who your best customers are. Make decisions based on patterns—not hunches. - Simplify Vendor-Based Events with Tools Like Hivey
While Hivey isn’t a POS or financial platform, it does streamline the chaos of events—ensuring smoother operations, better coordination, and fewer last-minute cancellations. That operational efficiency translates to more successful, better-attended events, which often means higher revenue.
In times of economic pressure, it’s not always about big wins—it’s about stacking small ones. Smarter operations, stronger events, and deeper community ties all help build a more resilient, revenue-positive taproom.
Creating Loyal Regulars Through Personal Connection
Technology doesn’t have to be cold. In fact, the best brewery tech—like Hivey—is built to enhance human connection, not replace it.
By automating the boring stuff (vendor emails, permits, etc.), your team has more bandwidth to chat with regulars, recommend a new release, or get creative with events.
It also shows your guests you care about their time and experience. No one likes standing in line or missing an event because of poor communication. With Hivey, guests can scan QR codes to see the food truck menu, or check your website ahead of time to see the event calendar.
This kind of seamless experience isn’t just convenient—it builds trust.
Tech That Pays for Itself
One of the biggest fears about adopting new tech is cost. But the truth is, the right tools don’t cost you money—they make you money.
Hivey is priced for small businesses, with features designed specifically for the unique needs of public-facing venues like breweries, cideries, and wineries.
Just one well-executed event can more than cover your monthly investment.
And let’s not forget the intangibles:
- Happier staff
- Repeat customers
- A polished brand image
- Fewer errors and missed opportunities
Don’t Get Left Behind
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that community-focused breweries that adapt early will lead the next wave of success. That doesn’t mean abandoning your roots. It means honoring them with the right tools to thrive—even when the industry landscape feels uncertain.
Whether it’s tariffs or competition or staffing challenges, breweries that embrace streamlined, people-first tech like Hivey aren’t just surviving.
They’re pouring a brighter future, one perfectly timed pint at a time.
