Missouri Craft Brewers Guild

What Missouri Craft Brewers Guild does

The Missouri Craft Brewers Guild ("MCBG" or "the Guild") is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association incorporated under Missouri law in 2016, headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, that represents more than 170 independent craft breweries across the state. Its mission is to promote, protect, and provide a unified voice for Missouri's independent craft brewers through five membership tiers (Brewery Members at tiered annual dues with a $200 first-year introductory rate, Brewery-In-Planning at $200/year, Allied Trade at $500/year, Retail at $125/year, and Distributor Members at $1,000/year), legislative advocacy (most notably the 2025 American Beer Act, which cut the state excise tax from $0.06 to $0.02 per gallon, effective January 2026, delivering $1.24 per barrel in savings), consumer programming, and member services. The Guild operates a portfolio of products rather than a single software platform: the MO Craft Beer mobile app (built with Tapwyse, featuring Pint Pass BOGO memberships at $10 regional and $25 statewide), annual events including the Missouri Beer Cup competition (in 2025: 179 entries from 33 breweries, 113 medals awarded), Missouri Pint Day, Show-Me Craft Beer Month (a governor-proclaimed June campaign), the quarterly Missouri Loves Company collaboration series (35 breweries and 10 sponsors in 2026), and an annual conference. Member-benefit programs include a Multiple Employer Aggregation Program (MEAP) 401(k) via Osaic Wealth/Lincoln Financial Group, a healthcare collaboration with the Missouri Association of Manufacturers (MAM), Missouri Green Brewery Certification with Missouri State University's OEWRI, a WeVow workplace-safety partnership, and a Test Flight taproom-games partnership. Revenue is diversified across recurring membership dues, transaction-based competition entries (Beer Cup at $50 member / $75 non-member), Pint Pass sales, Merchandise through Fast Yowi Tees print-on-demand, sponsorship fees, and fundraising event revenue (Missouri Loves Company raised over $20,000 in 2025; Missouri Pint Day 2025 raised over $1,600). Governance is by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by Brewery Member votes; the only paid staff role explicitly identified is Executive Director Sherry Wohlgemuth, with Chris Byars (Bee's Knees Brewing) serving as President following a leadership transition at the end of 2025.

Name

Missouri Craft Brewers Guild

Legal name

Missouri Craft Brewers Guild

Website

https://mocraftbeer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Missouri Craft Brewers Guild is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association representing more than 170 independent craft breweries in Missouri, providing legislative advocacy, member-benefit programs, the MO Craft Beer mobile app, and consumer events including the Missouri Beer Cup.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brewery Trade Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Breweries (31212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Alcohol Subscription Clubs & Membership Retail (CRANAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA), Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

Keywords

• Craft brewery trade association
• Brewery membership services
• Beer industry advocacy
• Craft beer competition
• Brewing industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Brewery Members (tiered by production), Brewery-In-Planning ($200/yr), Allied Trade Members ($500/yr), Retail Members ($125/yr), and Distributor Members ($1,000/yr). First-time Brewery Members pay $200 for first year regardless of production.
2. Missouri Beer Cup Competition: Annual beer competition with entry fees: $50/entry for members, $75/entry for non-members. First competition in 2025 received 179 entries from 33 breweries.
3. Missouri Loves Company Collaboration Series: Quarterly collaboration beer brewed by member breweries with proceeds supporting Guild operations. 2025 series raised over $20,000. Involves 35 member breweries and 10 corporate sponsors.
4. MO Beer Gear Merchandise: Online merchandise store selling shirts, hats, and hoodies through partnership with Fast Yowi Tees. Proceeds fund education, legislative outreach, and Guild mission.
5. Pint Pass App Sales: Regional Pint Passes at $10 for BOGO beers across Missouri regions; Ultimate Pint Pass at $25 for statewide coverage. Valid for one year from purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Missouri Craft Brewers Guild is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association representing more than 170 independent craft breweries in Missouri. It delivers industry advocacy, networking, education, and promotional support through tiered membership programs (Brewery, Allied Trade, Retail, Distributor, Brewery-In-Planning), flagship events including the Missouri Beer Cup competition and Missouri Loves Company collaboration series, consumer engagement through the MO Craft Beer mobile app and Pint Pass program, the Missouri Green Brewery Certification, and group benefits such as healthcare and retirement planning partnerships.

Product overview

The Missouri Craft Brewers Guild is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association offering a portfolio of programs and services for Missouri craft breweries rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the MO Craft Beer mobile app for consumer engagement, annual competitions (Missouri Beer Cup), collaboration initiatives (Missouri Loves Company), and promotional events (Missouri Pint Day, Show-Me Craft Beer Month). Supporting member services include the Missouri Green Brewery Certification program, 401(k) MEAP, WeVow safety partnership, Test Flight taproom games, and MAM healthcare collaboration. The Guild also provides an online merchandise store (MO Beer Gear), a public events calendar, and a members-only dashboard for accessing branding resources and managing accounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MO Craft Beer App: Mobile application for beer lovers to explore Missouri's independent craft breweries, featuring Pint Passes for buy-one-get-one beers and an interactive brewery map.
• Missouri Loves Company
• Missouri Pint Day
• Show-Me Craft Beer Month
• Missouri Beer Cup

Products and services

• MO Craft Beer App Consumer-facing mobile application for iOS and Android that helps beer lovers explore Missouri's independent craft breweries through an interactive map, exclusive news, and rewards features.
• Pint Pass Membership Buy-one-get-one beer membership program sold through the MO Craft Beer App. Regional Pint Passes cost $10 for BOGO beers in a specific Missouri region, while the Ultimate Pint Pass costs $25 for statewide coverage. Both are valid for one year from purchase.
• Brewery Membership Annual voting membership for fully licensed and operating independent craft breweries in Missouri producing 6 million barrels or less annually with less than 25% non-craft ownership. Tiered by production volume, with first-year introductory pricing of $200.
• Brewery-In-Planning Membership Non-voting annual membership at $200/year for prospective breweries in planning, development, or construction phase that do not yet hold a TTB Brewer's Notice.
• Allied Trade Membership Annual membership at $500/year for ingredient and equipment suppliers, insurance agencies, legal professionals, branding firms, and other service providers doing business with Missouri craft brewers.
• Retail Membership Annual membership at $125/year for restaurants, bars, and home brew shops that sell Missouri craft beer.
• Distributor Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.24 per barrel tax savings for Missouri breweries through American Beer Act
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boulevard Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025Host venue for 2025 Missouri Beer Cup awards ceremony and Annual Conference. Missouri's first craft brewery and 2025 Brewery of the Year (Over 1,000 Barrels). Provides premier venue and industry leadership.
• National Black Brewers Association (NB2A)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Partnership to support inclusion and diversity in Missouri craft brewing. Annie McGinnis of Vine Street Brewing serves on NB2A Executive Board. Guild encourages members to join as allies and participate in collaborative events, mentorship programs, and access points for underrepresented brewers.
• TapwysecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Technology partner for MO Craft Beer mobile application development and management. App available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store, featuring Pint Passes, brewery map, and consumer engagement tools.
• Cordill Custom DesignsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Trophy sponsor for Missouri Beer Cup competition. Produces custom trophies and awards for the inaugural statewide beer competition.
• Malteurop Malting CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Category sponsor for American-Style India Pale Ale category at Missouri Beer Cup. Ingredient supplier supporting Missouri craft breweries.
• Hollingbery & Son HopsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Category sponsor for Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale category at Missouri Beer Cup. Hop supplier supporting Missouri craft breweries.
• Stockyards Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host brewery for 2026 Missouri Loves Company Q2 Dortmunder Lager collaboration. One of 35 member breweries participating in 2026 collaboration series.
• Missouri Association of Manufacturers (MAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration providing MCBG members access to MAM's healthcare program with membership fee reduced by MCBG base dues of $250. Also includes access to over 300 online training courses, partner discounts, manufacturers 401(k) plan, and member pricing at MAM events. MAM is a nonprofit established in 1993 promoting Missouri manufacturing.
• Missouri State University - Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute (OEWRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical partner for Missouri Green Brewery Certification program, providing sustainability consulting, free site assessments, and participation in Brewers Sustainability Best Practices Network. Contact: Doug Neidigh at 417-988-0799.
• WeVowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace safety and culture partnership offering MCBG members 30% off WeVow membership, which provides harassment prevention training and includes free HR consulting and counseling for employees. Use code MOCRAFT30.
• Test FlightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAllied Trade Member partnership providing FREE sample board games to brewery taprooms for customer enjoyment. Games are selected for brewery crowds and breweries can accept or request shipment before sending. Sign up at jointestflight.com.
• Fast Yowi TeesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrint-on-demand merchandise partnership producing and shipping MO Beer Gear (shirts, hoodies, hats) directly to consumers. Located in Columbia, Missouri.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oregon Brewers Guild: Nonprofit trade association representing Oregon's independent breweries. Comparable as a state-level guild with similar mission, membership structure, and advocacy/events portfolio.
• North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild: North Carolina's state trade association for craft breweries. Comparable as a peer state-level guild providing advocacy, education, networking, and promotional events to member breweries.
• California Craft Brewers Association: State-level trade association representing California's craft brewers with advocacy, events, and consumer-facing campaigns. Direct state-level peer offering comparable programs including GABF-adjacent activities and legislative representation.
• Colorado Brewers Guild: State-level nonprofit trade association representing Colorado's independent craft breweries. Closely comparable as a peer state-level guild offering advocacy, events (e.g., Colorado Craft Beer Week), and membership benefits to member breweries.
• Illinois Craft Brewers Guild: State-level trade association representing Illinois craft breweries. Comparable as a regional peer with similar advocacy, education, and consumer-engagement programs targeting a Midwestern craft brewing membership base.
• Texas Craft Brewers Guild: State-level trade association representing Texas independent craft breweries. Comparable as a peer state guild with similar advocacy and event programming, operating in a similarly large state-level craft market.
• Michigan Brewers Guild: Michigan's state-level craft beer trade association. Comparable peer offering member services, legislative advocacy, and consumer-facing events like the Michigan Craft Beer Tour and festivals.

Broad incumbents

• Brewers Association: The national 501(c)(6) trade association representing small and independent craft brewers across the US. Directly comparable as a trade association serving the same craft brewery constituency, but operates nationally rather than at a state level.

Regional players

• Washington Beer Commission: Washington state's official beer commission promoting the state's breweries. Adjacent peer operating as a state-level promotional and marketing body for craft brewers, comparable in mission but structured as a commission rather than a member-driven guild.
• New York State Brewers Association: New York state's craft brewer trade association. Adjacent state-level peer providing advocacy, events, and consumer promotions, comparable in scope to MCBG but operating in a different state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MOCraftBrewersGuild
• Instagraminstagram.com/mocraftbrewersguild
• Xx.com/mocraftbrewers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/missouri-craft-brewers-guild

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Missouri Craft Brewers Guild