Product Description

Brewing Up a Business is an entertaining, enlightening first-person account of author Sam Calagione's nontraditional success as an entrepreneur. Starting out with a home brewing kit cobbled together from used kegs, Calagione turned his entrepreneurial dream into a reality. Relying on unique brews, lots of loving technique, and hard work, Calagione built Dogfish Head Craft Beer into America's fastest growing brewery. Without the benefit of an advertising budget, Dogfish went from a tiny operation in Delaware to one of the country's most popular craft breweries, distributed in 29 states and four countries. As revenues grow at lightning speed-an increase of 105 percent in 2003-Dogfish's success is the result of dreaming big, working hard, and thinking unconventionally. With real lessons on entrepreneurship and success from a real entrepreneur, as well as practical ideas on nontraditional marketing, this is a business story that will open readers' eyes to the unquantifiable benefits of thinking differently.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16368 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-06
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Download Description
Brewing Up a Business is an entertaining, enlightening first-person account of author Sam Calagione's nontraditional success as an entrepreneur. Starting out with a home brewing kit cobbled together from used kegs, Calagione turned his entrepreneurial dream into a reality. Relying on unique brews, lots of loving technique, and hard work, Calagione built Dogfish Head Craft Beer into America's fastest growing brewery. Without the benefit of an advertising budget, Dogfish went from a tiny operation in Delaware to one of the country's most popular craft breweries, distributed in 29 states and four countries. As revenues grow at lightning speed-an increase of 105 percent in 2003-Dogfish's success is the result of dreaming big, working hard, and thinking unconventionally. With real lessons on entrepreneurship and success from a real entrepreneur, as well as practical ideas on nontraditional marketing, this is a business story that will open readers' eyes to the unquantifiable benefits of thinking differently.

From the Back Cover
Entrepreneurial dreams do come true! Starting with nothing more than a home brewing kit, Sam Calagione founded Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and made it America's fastest growing independent beer. This unconventional business story reveals how Calagione found success by dreaming big, working hard, and thinking differently—and how you can do it too.

"Rarely is a book as good as a beer but this one is. It's written with humor, humility, and passion, essential ingredients for any entrepreneur."
—Bob Guccione Jr. founder of Spin magazine and Gear magazine

"Brewing Up a Business will inspire both entrepreneurs and aspiring small business people to have the confidence in following their dreams."
—Jim Davis Chairman and CEO of New Balance

"Sam Calagione embodies the spirit of a true Delaware entrepreneur. Starting out as the smallest brewery in the nation, Sam's ambition, acute business sense, and vision have allowed Dogfish Head Craft Brewery to successfully enter an extremely competitive market as Dogfish Head continues to leave an indelible mark on the beer industry."
—Ruth Ann Minner Governor of Delaware

"Everything you want to know about succeeding in business you can learn from beer. At least you can if it's the remarkable story of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Brewing Up a Business is like a 'how-to' manual for entrepreneurs. With humor, creativity, and wisdom, Sam Calagione has crafted a new kind of business book that's as unique as his great beer!"
—Joe Calloway author of Becoming a Category of One and Indispensable

About the Author
Sam Calagione is the founder and owner of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware, the nation's fastest growing independent brewery, and Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. His innovative style has earned him a reputation as one of America's most adventurous entrepreneurs and brewers. The Small Business Association has named him Businessman of the Year. He lives in Lewes, Delaware.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely a WASTE of TIME
This story is nothing more then a rich frat brat branching out on his own for the first time. He has the full support of his rich and successful parents and in-laws who catch him as he fails misaerably and redirects him to success, which he takes full credit for. This is a self promotion book plain and simple. I understand a business represents the owner but this book is over the top.

I thought I was spending my money on a good book about crafting beers and building a microbrewery. But instead, it was wasted on a autobiography about Sam Calagione.

Take my advice, don't waste your time!

New Agey
An entertaining book to say the least. It took a lot of guts to do what Sam did. Sam is an salesman at heart and would probably have succeeded in any field he went into. In his story about owning and running Dogfishhead Brewery he is up front that he came close to failing. He admits to his many mistakes, and does not fail to mention that others who had more business sense really are the ones who got the job done. Sam is the classic Front Man - the man who was the public face of the company. His love for people, good beer, and his skill as marketing his product are second to none.

My biggest problem with reading this book is Sams'New Age Capitalism and preachiness. He really goes out this tangent a bit too much, and it seriously detracts.

A non-dry journey - very entertaining
Mr. Calagione is certainly passionate about his business. This book takes the reader on an entertaining journey from the time Mr. Calagione brewed his first beers until the present - operating one of the most successful and innovative craft breweries in the country. Great read for both the aspiring entrepreneur or anybody interested in the brewing business. Highly recommended!