Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Goldfuss.
Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My brother worked at a brewpub in college and always wanted to brew beer, so one year for Christmas we got him a home brew kit. He didn’t want to take it back with him on the plane so I was supposed to return it and give him the money. I decided to brew a batch of beer instead of return it and had a blast. I home brewed on and off for about 7 years while traveling for work. Ended up coming back to Texas and brewed a beer with Ryan on his birthday in 2012. We had a lot of fun and decided to go to GABF that year. While at GABF we made the decision to put it all on the line and start a brewery. I ended up quitting my job in February of 2013 and moving back to Texas. From there we got a business plan in place, started seeking investors and developing recipes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning a business is never a smooth road. Issues always come up, especially when you least expect it. You just have to take a minute to assess the situation and find a solution to get through. Money and cash flow has always been an issue for us since we started as small as we did. Everything we make goes directly back into the business to continue to grow. This place has changed drastically over the last three years because we started with what we had and grew with the market.
The Collective Brewing Project – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are an urban farmhouse brewery that is focused on the production of beer; inspired by and designed to be enjoyed with food, family and friends. The majority of beer we make are funky, sour, wild or mixed culture fermented beers. We are in a niche market with craft beer, but we are also a niche in a niche with the beers we focus on. I am most proud of all the barrels, foeders and wood in our place. The beers we make do very well in oak and they also look amazing in the brewery.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as taking a chance. Once you step out of your comfort zone and try something different you are automatically successful. Be it starting a business, eating right or working out; once you make the leap and strive for something better, you have become successful. From there, it’s your hard work and dedication to keep moving forward even when life knocks you down, and it will, many times over. You have to stay motivated to keep fighting even when you want to give up because it’s how you deal with the bad times that define you.
Contact Info:
- Address: 112 St. Louis Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76104 - Website: collectivebrew.com
- Phone: (817) 708-2914
- Email: info@collectivebrew.com
- Instagram: cbpfortworth
- Facebook: collectivebrew
- Twitter: cbpfortworth
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