Experience Matters

Catalyst Beverage Consulting, LLC brings to the table over 40 years of beverages operations experience including craft beer, brewing, packaging, fermentation, blending, product development, quality assurance, food safety, occupational safety, sustainability, and project management.Experience gained from work in the brewing, soft drink, juice, water, spirits, and flavored alcoholic drink industries.

Our Mission

Catalyst Beverage Consulting, LLC’s mission is to provide the missing link to bring your teams, ideas, and resources together for a successful outcome.We specialize in delivering professional operational advice, plans, and outcomes to small and medium-sized beverage producers, marketers, and co-packers that assist them in overcoming their challenges and achieving their goals.We do this with integrity, honesty, and respect.

Core Competencies

OPERATIONS
*Brewery Operations
*Packaging
*Process Optimization
*Systems Commissioning
COMMERCIAL
*Innovation Leadership
*Co-Packer Management
*Commercialization
LEADERSHIP
*Project Leadership
*Occupational Safety

Knowledge Gaps

Knowing where to find information is important. Knowing how to create it when it doesn't exist is even more valuable. By understanding the underlying business processes and asking thoughtful questions, organizations can develop the insights needed to make confident, fact-based decisions and drive better outcomes.

• Case Study: Can Pressure Failures

Intellectual Curiosity

Learning never stops—and neither should improvement. Every challenge overcome and every problem solved adds to experience and strengthens judgment. Those lessons make future decisions more effective, accelerate problem-solving, and, when shared, build stronger, more capable teams. Over time, knowledge compounds into one of an organization's greatest competitive advantages.

• Case Study: Composting Spent Hops

Trusted Advisor

Major investments and strategic decisions require more than vendor recommendations—they require objective guidance. Whether you're evaluating equipment, improving operations, or planning for growth, I work alongside your team as an independent advisor focused solely on your organization's success. By asking the right questions, evaluating alternatives, and weighing both short- and long-term impacts, I help you make confident decisions that support your business goals.

Project Leadership

From targeted process improvements to multi-million-dollar brewhouse, cellar, and packaging line installations, I provide experienced project leadership from concept to completion. By coordinating vendors, consultants, contractors, and internal teams, I help keep projects aligned with your goals, schedule, and budget—so you can stay focused on running your business while knowing your investment is in capable hands.

Sara Martin - Principal at Critical Path Engineering Solutions, PLLC

"Jim brings a pragmatic approach to every aspect of the project, including the attention to detail needed to ensure a quality outcome. He earns respect and trust by being a natural leader who treats people fairly throughout the life of every project."

Tom Eplett - Retired MillerCoors Brewer & Past President of the MBAA

"Jim was President of the MBAA from 2015 to 2016 during a refocusing effort for the organization towards the needs of the new craft brewing members. Jim did a fantastic job leading and directing this change, focusing on Brewing Safety and Diversity, and developing a new tagline- "United We Brew" to ensure that members understood that all brewers, large and small were welcome. Jim's leadership, vision, and insight helped to move the MBAA forward contributing to membership growth to more than 5,000."

Jeff Loranger - Hops and Malt Merchant

"Working with Jim over many years, I've seen firsthand Jim’s intimate knowledge of the malting and hop industries, and his understanding of the competitive nature within them. This allows Jim to recognize the importance behind sustainability and the value of building long-term partnerships."