UC Blue Ash series brews plan for success

It seems a new microbrewery is opening every month across Greater Cincinnati. To be successful in this highly competitive industry you must know about a lot more than brewing great beer. At the next UC Blue Ash College Entrepreneur Speaker Series (ESS) the co-founders of a new microbrewery, Esoteric, share their insight on the planning, funding and strategy needed for a successful launch.

The ESS will be held from 7-8:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, in Muntz Auditorium on the UC Blue Ash College campus. It is free and open to everyone. The event is also followed by a free reception with snacks and refreshments.

The featured guests from Esoteric Brewing are Brian Jackson, CEO, and Marvin Abrinica, chief marketing officer. Both are University of Cincinnati alumni.

Jackson worked in the restaurant industry and was a homebrewer before becoming a commercial brewer for MadTree Brewing Company. Abrinica spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble before founding Wunderfund, a company that helps startups with funding and brand development for new ideas.

Esoteric is set to open in May in the historic Paramount Building, located in Walnut Hills. Jackson and Abrinica have raised more than $780,000 for the venture and are partnering with MadTree Brewing to release the first of Esoteric’s new brews. They will share lessons learned in the journey to launch a new microbrewery, as well as some of the wisdom gained from past experiences in the brewing, fundraising and marketing fields.

Kent Lutz, professor of entrepreneurship and finance at UC Blue Ash, created the ESS and serves as host. He interviews the guests on stage, asking about their experiences and what advice they would offer others. This is an interactive event; the audience can also ask questions. A free reception follows and offers additional opportunities for attendees to talk with the guests.

The speaker series began in 2014 and is held each fall and spring semester at UC Blue Ash. It features successful entrepreneurs from the region sharing helpful advice for anyone who is or may become interested in operating their own business. Past guests include Jeff Wyler, Buddy LaRosa, Patty Brisben and Tony Maas.

The UC Blue Ash College Entrepreneur Speaker Series is free, but seating is limited. Get more information and register online today.