E53 | Joey Redner's Cigar City Revolution: Crafting Tampa’s Beer Boom, Strategic Exits, and Brewing Future Ventures

Happy Hour Holidaze

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Welcome to Happy Hour Holidaze! In this exciting episode, hosts Sean Febre and Manny Febre are joined by Joey Redner, the sixth-generation Floridian and mastermind behind Cigar City Brewing. Joey's incredible journey from an unimpressed local beer drinker to a revolutionary figure in Tampa's craft beer scene is both inspiring and educational. Join us as we delve into the captivating story of how one man's passion for better beer transformed an entire city's beverage industry.
From Humble Beginnings to Brewing Success

Joey Redner's story begins with his dissatisfaction with the beers available in Tampa. His curiosity and desire for better beer led him to experiment with brewing, a journey he chronicled through a blog that quickly gained popularity among beer enthusiasts. This blog not only documented his brewing experiments but also served as a marketing tool that engaged a growing audience of craft beer fans.
The Birth of Cigar City Brewing

In 2007, Joey founded Cigar City Brewing, a brewery that would soon become synonymous with Tampa's rich history and culture. Joey shares how he tapped into an underserved market by forming strategic alliances with local distributors and grocery chains, which helped Cigar City Brewing gain traction far beyond Tampa. He discusses the scaling challenges, the invaluable role of consultants, and the hard lessons learned through expansion. Joey provides an insider's view on the unique beer names inspired by local sports culture and the financial pressures that eventually led to the sale of Cigar City Brewing.
Creating a Brand and Cultivating a Community
Cigar City's success was not just about brewing great beer but also about building a brand that resonated with the community. Joey explains how the name "Cigar City Brewing" pays homage to Tampa's historical significance as a major cigar manufacturing hub. He reflects on the importance of engaging with the local culture and history, which helped Cigar City Brewing stand out in a crowded market.
Scaling Up and Letting Go
One of the most challenging aspects of running a brewery is scaling up operations. Joey talks about the complexities of expanding production, maintaining quality, and managing a growing team. He also opens up about the emotional and strategic intricacies of exiting the business. Joey offers candid advice on financial readiness and the bittersweet process of letting go of a company you’ve built from the ground up.
Life After Cigar City Brewing
After selling Cigar City Brewing, Joey transitioned into advising and investing in the craft beer industry. He reveals current trends, the importance of sticking to one's brewing passion, and his diversified career ventures in real estate and stocks. Joey’s insights are invaluable for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, craft beer, and the art of successful business exits.

Key Takeaways from Joey Redner’s Journey

• Understanding the Market: Joey emphasizes the importance of recognizing and tapping into underserved markets. His ability to identify a gap in the Tampa beer market was crucial to Cigar City's success.
• Building a Strong Brand: Joey’s decision to name the brewery Cigar City Brewing and the storytelling behind it created a strong brand identity that resonated with locals and visitors alike.
• Scaling with Strategy: Scaling up a business comes with significant challenges. Joey highlights the importance of hiring experts, understanding the intricacies of production, and being patient with growth.
• The Art of Letting Go: Exiting a business is never easy. Joey discusses the emotional and strategic aspects of selling a company, offering valuable advice for

Chapters

1. E53 | Joey Redner's Cigar City Revolution: Crafting Tampa’s Beer Boom, Strategic Exits, and Brewing Future Ventures (00:00:00)

2. Entrepreneurship in Tampa's Craft Beer Scene (00:00:20)

3. Craft Brewery Growth & Business Scalability (00:06:26)

4. Craft Beer Business and Expansion (00:18:22)

5. Keys to Successful Business Exits (00:26:29)

6. Craft Beer Industry Insights and Investments (00:39:07)

7. Craft Beer Brewing Business Insights (00:45:56)