Secret Blogger — Secret Hopper

Creating more memorable and profitable taproom experiences

5 Years of To Go Beer Taproom Trends

5 Years of To Go Beer Taproom Trends

It’s been 5 years since we first analyzed data on the impact of encouraging beer to go in taprooms. In 2018, we discovered that taproom staff were encouraging beer to go on 19% of visits. When they did not suggest it to a guest, the customer only made a to go purchase on their own 9% of the time. However, when staff did suggest it, the guest made the additional purchase 49% of the time. A guest was also an astonishing 408% more likely to purchase to go when asked vs visits when they were not asked. So, in 2023, what progress have we made with to go beer?

Andrew CoplonNovember 29, 2023taproom, taproom staff, taproom data, to go beer

A Rising Taproom Tide Lifts All Breweries!

A Rising Taproom Tide Lifts All Breweries!

Generic as it is, the aphorism, "a rising tide lifts all boats" is a proven economic concept. And it applies to beer and your taproom. The more memorable experiences that breweries in your area create, the better it will be for your beer community as a whole.

Andrew CoplonOctober 26, 2023customer experience, taproom, breweries, community

Increasing Taproom Sales by Suggesting Flights

Increasing Taproom Sales by Suggesting Flights

Flights. Your staff probably has a love/hate relationship with them. Your favorite thing to pour on a busy Saturday? Doubtful. A strong way to build a connection with a guest and discover what’s right for them? Absolutely.

Andrew CoplonOctober 18, 2023taproom, flights, customer experience, engagement, trends

Why Every Taproom Visit Needs a "Hello" and "Thank You"

Why Every Taproom Visit Needs a "Hello" and "Thank You"

Beginning a taproom visit with a “hello” and ending it with “thank you'“ can increase how much a guest spends and help build deeper relationships.

Andrew CoplonSeptember 27, 2023hospitality, customer service, taproom staff, taproom experience

Top 5 Characteristics of High Engagement Taproom Visits

Top 5 Characteristics of High Engagement Taproom Visits

When working with breweries nationwide, we collect data that helps better the level of service and build more meaningful connections. Through this, we wanted to see what the top contributing factors to experiences where taproom staff truly wow the guest. Upon analyzing these high engagement experiences, we discovered 5 behaviors that are found in over 96% of the these visits.

Andrew CoplonSeptember 13, 2023taproom experience, taproom staff, customer experience, hospitality, brewery

"Hi, my name is...": The Value of Introducing Yourself to Taproom Guests

"Hi, my name is...": The Value of Introducing Yourself to Taproom Guests

Eminem may not have known it, but he was onto something. Introducing yourself to your audience goes a long way and can help build deeper connections. Not only does it have the potential to propel you to a (controversially) successful career writing hit songs like “Lose Yourself” and “Without Me,” but offering your name will put you on the path to higher tabs, greater tips, and a busier taproom.

Andrew CoplonAugust 30, 2023hospitality, engagement, introduction, taproom staff, taproom experience

3 Breweries' Tips to Grow

3 Breweries' Tips to Grow

More and more we are seeing breweries consider not plans to be the next big regional or national player, but chart a path that includes expanding their presence into other communities. With this growth, comes the need to maintain the same high level of quality and experience across locations. As a follow up to Tips to Maintain Consistency Across Multiple Taprooms, we will hear from several breweries on the strategies that have been most successful as they grow.

Andrew CoplonAugust 23, 2023taproom, consistency, multiple taprooms, growth, staff training, company culture

Using Progress as a Motivator for Taproom Staff

Using Progress as a Motivator for Taproom Staff

I'm guilty of it, too. Host a to go beer competition. Reward a team member with the highest tip percentage. Offer a prize to the person that does ABC or XYZ. Often, we focus on rewards, recognition, and opportunity as prime motivators. But how about using progress?

Andrew CoplonAugust 8, 2023taproom, taproom staff, motivation, staff training

Above and Beyond with La Verne Brewing and Sunroom Brewing

Above and Beyond with La Verne Brewing and Sunroom Brewing

In a country closing in on 10,000 breweries, making great beer is a must. Our series Above and Beyond highlights taprooms focusing on the little things that can make a big difference.

Andrew CoplonJuly 18, 2023customer experience, customer service, taproom, taproom staff, taproom events

The Need for Human Connection in Taprooms

The Need for Human Connection in Taprooms

Your taproom is an experience. In a country with nearly 10,000 breweries, and growing competition for the consumers’ dollars, you can’t just be generic. You need to be the sound of a human pressing down on keys.

Andrew CoplonJuly 4, 2023human interaction, human connection, taproom experience, engagement

Don’t Say Trivia: An Interactive Event Planning Workshop

Don’t Say Trivia: An Interactive Event Planning Workshop

Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you generate new and creative events to host in your taproom.

Andrew CoplonJune 7, 2023taproom staff, taproom experience, customer experience, hospitality, taproom events

The Impact of Menu Types on Taproom Spending

The Impact of Menu Types on Taproom Spending

A menu is a vital educational tool in your taproom and has the power to increase customer spending.

Andrew CoplonMay 28, 2023menus, ordering experience, engagement, spending habits

Taproom Guests Want Food. What Should You Do?

Taproom Guests Want Food. What Should You Do?

Creating world-class taproom experiences is at the intersection of quality beer, engaging staff, and a memorable atmosphere. Food is one of the many options you should consider when looking to elevate your atmosphere.

Andrew CoplonMay 17, 2023customer experience, brewpub, food, ups, taproom

What's Your Encore: How to Craft Unexpected and Memorable Taproom Experiences

What's Your Encore: How to Craft Unexpected and Memorable Taproom Experiences

Your taproom staff should also be going beyond what’s expected by the guest. And it should be more than an encore. Encores are the expected hit song. Your staffs’ final act of hospitality can’t be expected.

Andrew CoplonApril 24, 2023taproom, customer experience, hospitality, encore, customer service

How Your Taproom Impacts Future Off-Premises Purchases

How Your Taproom Impacts Future Off-Premises Purchases

From a data set including nearly 2000 unique taproom visits, which has removed breweries that don’t distribute, guests are nearly 60% more likely to purchase beer off-premises if they have a high engagement experience at your taproom, vs an experience described as low engagement.

Andrew CoplonApril 10, 2023taproom experience, off-premises sales, engagement, experience, taproom

Above and Beyond with WanderLinger Brewing Company and West Side Brewing

Above and Beyond with WanderLinger Brewing Company and West Side Brewing

In a country closing in on 10,000 breweries, making great beer is a must. Our series Above and Beyond highlights taprooms focusing on the little things that can make a big difference.

Andrew CoplonApril 2, 2023customer experience, customer service, taproom, taproom staff, taproom events

Taproom Guests Who Purchase To Go Beer Tip Higher

Taproom Guests Who Purchase To Go Beer Tip Higher

Not only are guests who purchasing beer to go spending more in your taproom, but they are also tipping your staff on that overall amount at a higher percentage.

Andrew CoplonMarch 6, 2023customer experience, hospitality, upsell, to go beer, engagement

Taproom Lessons learned from a Flight Attendant

Taproom Lessons learned from a Flight Attendant

“Biscoff or pretzels?” That was the question the flight attendant first asked me. To me, Biscoff is synonymous with airplane cookies. It’s not just a snack, but the food pairing for my early flight coffee. It oddly makes me feel special, and excited, when enjoying. But, why?

Andrew CoplonMarch 6, 2023guest experience, customer experience, customer service, hospitality, biscoff, teamwork

Strategies to Motivate Your Taproom Staff

Strategies to Motivate Your Taproom Staff

Just like each guest, all of your staff require a unique experience. As brewery owners and managers, it is your responsibility to understand their needs, their goals, and how you can form a partnership of beautiful employment.

Andrew CoplonFebruary 24, 2023motivation, staff training, taproom staff, taproom experience, customer experience, hospitality

Above and Beyond with Crooked Crab Brewing Company and Fiction Beer Company

Above and Beyond with Crooked Crab Brewing Company and Fiction Beer Company

In a country closing in on 10,000 breweries, making great beer is a must. Our series Above and Beyond highlights taprooms focusing on the little things that can make a big difference.

Andrew CoplonFebruary 13, 2023customer experience, customer service, taproom, taproom staff, taproom events