The Journal

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Laila Wessel President and co-founder of the Schlafly Brewery Tom Schlafly explains his company's evolution at the 2008 Success to Significance Speaker Series Feb. 19 in the University Center Sunnen Lounge. "A big part of our appeal is being a regional product," Shlafly said when asked about doing business on a national level.

Tom Schlafly, head of Schlafly Beer, spoke Feb. 19 in the University Center Sunnen Lounge as part of the 2008 Success to Significance Speakers Series.

The speech, introduced by John Ginsburg, director of the UC and Student Activities, concerned the history of the Schlafly Beer company, with Schlafly elaborating on some of the moves he had taken to become such a success along the way.

Charla Lord, coordinator for the School of Business and Technology, said her department received a list of possible speakers from Ted Hoef, associate vice president and dean of students.

"When we saw Tom Schlafly's name on the list, we sent out a request to Schlafly," Lord said.

Schlafly said he was happy to speak at WU.

"I think I decided to speak here because it was a chance to tell my story, and I was honored to join some of the previous speakers who have been at WU," Schlafly said. "I probably speak publicly about once a month."

Schlafly, a lawyer turned brewer, began his business in 1989 with his partner Dan Kopman, purchasing their brewery in 1991. Since then, his beer has become a regional favorite.

Schlafly said he provides a broad selection of beer types out of necessity. Since St. Louis is the home of the Anheuser-Busch brewing company, a giant in the beer industry, he felt he needed to offer a product that was distinct from its competition to have any hope of success.

"I've had at least one glass of every kind of beer that we brew, and I keep two kinds on tap at my home," Schlafly said.

In his speech, Schlafly repeatedly said he has no intention of attempting to go national with his company.

"I would be very skeptical of our success," Schlafly said. "The idea of a national micro-brewery is a bit of an oxymoron. Sure, there have been people who have taken craft-beer national, like Samuel Adams. I prefer to know my limitations. My beer is a popular local product. If I expanded like that, there would be serious quality control issues."

Continued...

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