32 - Byron Brooks

Calgary’s craft brewing industry is often applauded for its strong focus on collaboration and cooperation over competition, which was a massive inspiration for this week’s guest, Byron Brooks of Builders and Brews. Byron tells us of how after being contracted for some construction work at Annex Ale Project he was inspired to create this collaborative spirit into his own industry.

A carpenter by trade, Byron has worked on a massive range of products across his career, from furniture to high rises, and most recently custom homes and commercial construction including breweries and taprooms. While helping to set up Annex’s taproom he saw a few guys from their neighbours Banded Peak pop in to help set up a piece of equipment so Annex’s founders Andrew and Erica didn’t repeat a mistake they’d made in the opening of their own brewery the year before. It seemed a little weird to Byron since he knew they were competitors but didn’t think too much of it.

A couple days later some guys from another brewery would come by with a bag of hops, and then another set of guys form yet another brewery with kegs full of beer. Byron recognized a pattern, asked what was up, and found out these competitors were dropping off some cold beer so they’d be fully stocked when they opened their doors to the public. He was shocked to see competitors working together like this, since in his industry nobody ever shows up at a job site with some extra lumber to drop off to help out. After asking some more questions he discovered the collaborative spirit of Calgary’s brewing industry, banding together to take on the big multi national beer companies rather than viewing each other as competition.

Byron was inspired and immediately started thinking about how he could bring this approach to the construction and design industry, and with the help of some of his peers in the industry Builders and Brews was born. Through this initiative they’ve hosted a number of events to bring folks in their industry together and reshape the way they think about things like competition, collaboration, and the ever dreaded bidding process. The feedback he’s received from attendees of their 2019 events tell him it’s already changed the way they approach doing business, and Builders and Brews hopes to host more events in the future, which you can find out about on their instagram page @buildersandbrewsyyc

After Byron’s chat about taking cues from the craft beer community we share a story about community sent in by a listener. We hear from this very caring anonymous listener about a time they had a few too many and took it upon themselves to get out and do some good in the world.

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Have a question for Mama T? A story from the bottom of a beer can? Send it in and we’ll read it anonymously on-air! DM us on instagram @wildrosebrewery or email it to Nick - [e-mail]

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Byron Brooks - Builders and Brews: website | instagram