In June, Boston Beer started making its signature microloan program, Brewing the American Dream, available nationwide to craft brewers in need of startup capital. The company began the program in partnership with ACCION USA in 2008 with a focus on providing microloans to food, beverage and hospitality start ups in New England and has since expanded to New York City, Lehigh Valley, PA and Ohio. Founder of Boston Beer Co., Jim Koch says, “It’s a little counterintuitive, helping potential competitors (but) I remember how hard it was when I started Sam Adams. All 2,000 craft brewers in the U.S. make up about 5 percent of the beer sales. There’s room for all of us to grow… We’re not really taking business from each other. We’re growing a category together.” Read more in The Patriot Ledger.
