Beer CPA, Brewery CPA Firm

Beer CPA, Brewery CPA Firm Craft Breweries have many of the same challenges of other small businesses, but we also understand that breweries are inherently complex. Our Firm – Laura M.

Mikeworth, CPA, P.A. – “Beer CPA”, is staffed with an experienced team of professionals that use their specialized industry knowledge, financial, and accounting experience to assist you. We know and understand the business of breweries; microbreweries; and, have been home brewing for over ten years. We are frequently found at local craft breweries and related events.

Around this time each year, the rhythm starts to return.The patios fill up. The regulars come back. The evenings run lon...
05/26/2026

Around this time each year, the rhythm starts to return.

The patios fill up. The regulars come back. The evenings run longer. And for many breweries, summer becomes the season that reminds them why they opened their doors in the first place.

But there’s another side to it that many owners don’t stop to consider:

What customers are experiencing during those summer nights is genuinely valuable.

Not just emotionally.
Financially valuable.

Our latest BeerCPA article explores why many breweries may be underpricing the full experience they’ve already worked so hard to create — and a few practical ways to better capture that value without losing what makes the atmosphere special.

Summer taproom traffic brings more than beer sales. Learn how breweries can better capture the value of atmosphere, specialty pours, merchandise, and customer experiences during peak season.

The next time someone says, “Eight dollars for a beer?” — there is usually a lot more behind that price than most people...
05/15/2026

The next time someone says, “Eight dollars for a beer?” — there is usually a lot more behind that price than most people realize.

Ingredient costs. Labor. Utilities. Insurance. Equipment. Merchant fees. Distribution. Even CO₂ and aluminum pricing all play a role in what eventually ends up on the tap list.

And while some lagers may still land closer to $6–$7, higher-gravity IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, and specialty pours often carry a completely different production cost structure.

Most breweries did not raise prices because they suddenly became greedy. Many held the line for years while costs quietly climbed underneath them.

The math changed.

Our latest BeerCPA article takes a closer look at the financial realities facing today’s breweries — and why understanding margins matters more than ever in a tighter market.

Why craft beer prices keep rising, how taproom margins are changing, and why breweries need clearer financial visibility to protect profitability.

Labor is one of the biggest expenses in a brewery, but it is not always managed with the same attention as beer costs, r...
05/01/2026

Labor is one of the biggest expenses in a brewery, but it is not always managed with the same attention as beer costs, rent, or ingredients.

Staffing decisions affect margins, service quality, owner stress, and the long-term health of the business. The best operators know labor is not just an HR issue. It is a financial one.

Labor is often a brewery’s biggest controllable cost. Learn how smarter staffing decisions can protect margins, improve operations, and support long-term brewery profitability.

Breweries rarely feel financial pressure from just one place at a time.It may start with packaging. Then freight gets a ...
04/17/2026

Breweries rarely feel financial pressure from just one place at a time.

It may start with packaging. Then freight gets a little heavier. Equipment costs stay stubborn. Meanwhile, customers still come in, but spend a little more carefully than they used to.

That is what makes this kind of squeeze so hard to spot. The taproom can still feel busy while margin quietly gets thinner underneath it all.

Our latest BeerCPA blog looks at why breweries are feeling cost pressure from more than one direction — and why clear financial visibility matters when the numbers start shifting in small ways.

Breweries are not just dealing with one rising cost at a time. Packaging, freight, equipment, and cautious customer spending are all putting pressure on margins, often in ways that are easy to miss until the month feels tighter than expected.

A busy taproom can feel like an obvious win. The room is full, the energy is strong, and from the outside it looks like ...
03/30/2026

A busy taproom can feel like an obvious win. The room is full, the energy is strong, and from the outside it looks like exactly what every brewery wants. But not every crowded night is a profitable one.

In this week’s BeerCPA blog, we look at the quieter side of trivia nights, live music, March Madness crowds, Football Sundays, and other high-traffic taproom experiences that can drive occupancy without delivering the margin owners expect. Sometimes the issue is not a lack of traffic. It is what that traffic is actually producing once labor, discounts, dwell time, and seat turnover are part of the picture.

If a table is occupied for hours, it has to earn its place. That is where the math starts to matter.

Packed trivia nights, live music, and game-day crowds can feel like success, but breweries need to know when busy nights are quietly hurting margins.

Most breweries begin with the same dream: brewing great beer.But when you start looking closely at the numbers, somethin...
03/19/2026

Most breweries begin with the same dream: brewing great beer.
But when you start looking closely at the numbers, something interesting often appears.

For many breweries, the real profit driver isn’t the brewhouse.
It’s the taproom.

For brewery owners:
How important is your taproom to overall profitability?
We explored this in more detail here:

Many breweries discover the real financial engine isn’t distribution or production. It’s the taproom. A look at the economics shaping modern craft brewery profitability.

When a national brand disappears from a niche, most people assume the category failed.But sometimes the demand didn’t fa...
02/26/2026

When a national brand disappears from a niche, most people assume the category failed.

But sometimes the demand didn’t fail.

The portfolio priorities changed.

As several large gluten-free beer brands have faded from shelves, smaller breweries have quietly stepped in — not because the segment is massive, but because it fits their scale.

This isn’t really a gluten-free story.

It’s a strategy story.

In a shrinking or flat beer market, growth rarely comes from competing head-to-head with global brands. More often, it comes from recognizing where demand has been underserved — and being financially prepared to meet it.

The real question isn’t:

“Is this niche big enough?”

It’s:

“Is it right-sized for us — and do we have the capacity and margin discipline to execute it?”

For brewery owners:
Where are you seeing underserved demand in your market right now?

More here:

When large beer brands exit a niche, small breweries can capture the demand. Here’s what gluten-free beer teaches about strategy, capacity, and margins.

Charlotte’s craft beer scene offers an interesting look at where many local beer markets may be heading.The era of rapid...
01/08/2026

Charlotte’s craft beer scene offers an interesting look at where many local beer markets may be heading.

The era of rapid expansion has slowed, but that doesn’t mean craft beer is disappearing. Instead, many breweries are shifting toward a more mature, community-focused model where taprooms, loyal local customers, and consistent experiences drive success.

In a crowded craft landscape, simply being local isn’t enough.

Breweries that thrive tend to focus on clarity of concept, strong taproom experiences, and building lasting relationships with their communities.

Charlotte provides a good example of how that transition is playing out — and what it might mean for the future of local craft beer.

For brewery owners:
What changes are you seeing in your local market right now?

More here:

What the Charlotte brewery market reveals about saturated craft beer markets nationwide—and how taproom-focused breweries can adapt, stabilize, and thrive.

As 2025 comes to a close, the craft beer market is sending some clear signals — and thoughtful planning matters more tha...
12/29/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, the craft beer market is sending some clear signals — and thoughtful planning matters more than ever.

From margin pressure and inventory costs to changing consumer habits, the financial decisions breweries make at year-end can shape how they perform in 2026 and beyond.

Our 2025 Craft Beer Market Outlook looks at what’s happening across the industry right now — and how brewery owners can position their businesses to plan ahead instead of reacting under pressure.

For brewery owners:
What trends are you seeing in your market as the year wraps up?

Full outlook:

Discover the year-end 2025 craft beer trends and what they mean for brewery and taproom owners. Learn how financial structure, debt, and operations impact success heading into 2026.

Craft beer: Down 4% in 2024One beer category: Up double digitsThe gap is widening heading into 2026. And while most brew...
12/12/2025

Craft beer: Down 4% in 2024
One beer category: Up double digits

The gap is widening heading into 2026. And while most breweries are fighting for share in a shrinking market, a few are capitalizing on one of the strongest growth opportunities in the industry.
Athletic Brewing hit nearly 400,000 barrels in 2024. Deschutes made this their #1 strategic priority for 2025. Both are seeing results while traditional craft contracts.

The question for brewery and taproom owners: Should YOUR brewery be part of this growth story?

Our year-end market analysis covers:
✅ Verified 2024-2025 market data
✅ Two proven business models at different scales
✅ Three investment pathways (from low-risk to high-control)
✅ Tax advantages and regulatory considerations
✅ Who's actually buying—and why it matters for taprooms
✅ A decision framework to determine if this fits YOUR operation

This isn't about jumping on a trend. It's about understanding whether there's a strategic, profitable opportunity for your specific brewery as we head into 2026.
Read the full analysis:

NA beer continues strong growth as craft beer contracts. Learn why adding non-alcoholic options can boost taproom revenue and strengthen your brewery’s 2026 strategy.

Address

18449 Old Statesville Road, Ste 101
Cornelius, NC
28031

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(704) 894-9991 Ext 101

Website

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