2020 Best Distilling & Brewing Supplies: BSG
As Jake Keeler, the vice president of marketing for BSG, recites the grains and ingredients that his Minnesota-based company sells, it’s easy to see why BSG is so well respected among the beer, cider, and spirits communities. The list runs from hops to botanicals, and includes almost everything imaginable in between.
“We like to think that we have the strongest portfolio overall, whether you’re making beer or spirits,” says Keeler. “It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need. Whatever they want, if we don’t have it, we’re going to look to source it for them.”
That’s been BSG’s goal since its start in 2004. The company, part of the almost 180-year-old Rahr group of companies, sources grains and malts from around the world. In addition, it has 13 distribution sites located across North America, so an order can be filled in a day or two, and an FSSC 22000-certified hop processing facility in the Pacific Northwest.
2020 Best Distilling & Brewing Supplies: BSG
But top-quality ingredients, says Keeler, are only part of BSG’s success. BSG can help with FSMA, compliance issues, and food safety best practices, as well as helping customers develop new techniques and new recipes. And, it keeps track of farming and supply developments, so customers can adjust to real world conditions.
“We want our customers to succeed as much as we want to succeed,” he says. “We want to help our customers navigate the new landscape. It’s changing at a rapid pace, and when you think you’re caught up, it changes again. That’s the challenge moving forward.”
