Where Are They Now: Holidaily Brewing Company
When Karen Hertz joined BEN Colorado’s Signature Program last year, Holidaily Brewing Company was already building momentum.
The brewery had spent nearly a decade carving out a unique place in the craft beer industry as the largest certified gluten-free brewery in the United States. From its home base in Golden, Colorado, Holidaily had grown into a multi-state brand, reaching customers who wanted high-quality craft beer that was both flavorful and completely gluten-free.
As the company expanded distribution and scaled production, the team began thinking about how to strengthen internal systems, refine strategy, and position Holidaily for its next stage of growth. That was when Karen entered the BEN Signature Program.
Today, Holidaily employs 23 people, generates approximately $3.8 million in annual revenue, and continues expanding its footprint across the country. Looking back, the past year reflects both operational progress and the confidence that comes from having a strong advisory community behind you.
The Holidaily Foundation
From the beginning, Karen set out to prove that gluten-free beer could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional craft brews. The company’s beers are made with dedicated gluten-free ingredients and brewed in a completely gluten-free facility, creating an option that people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can enjoy stress-free.
Over the past decade, Holidaily has expanded distribution across multiple states while building a loyal following among craft beer drinkers.
When Karen first connected with BEN Colorado, the company was already growing quickly. What she was looking for next was perspective to drive the next level of expansion.
The BEN Signature Program Experience
During the program, Karen met monthly with her BEN advisory committee to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the business.
Early conversations focused on strengthening Holidaily’s financial infrastructure. The advisory group helped the company organize financial reporting and identify the right fractional CFO support. Improving visibility into the company’s numbers created a stronger foundation for strategic planning.
Once the leadership team had clearer financial data and reporting, the discussions naturally evolved.
With stronger insights into performance and operations, Karen and her advisors were able to tackle more complex questions about growth, processes, and long-term strategy. These conversations helped the company refine internal systems while keeping a clear focus on where Holidaily wanted to go next.
For founders navigating rapid expansion, having a trusted group of experienced advisors can make a meaningful difference. The conversations are often as valuable for the perspective they bring as they are for the specific recommendations that emerge.
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the advisory experience, according to Karen, was the confidence it helped reinforce.
Entrepreneurship often requires leaders to make high-stakes decisions with limited information. Even experienced founders can find themselves questioning the right path forward.
Having a committee of advisors who were invested in the company’s success created a space for thoughtful discussion and honest feedback. Those conversations helped strengthen not only Holidaily’s operational processes, but also the team’s confidence in their direction.
Holidaily Today
Over the past year, Holidaily has continued to expand both its operational capabilities and its market reach. They installed new equipment to support increasing demand, launched new products, and expanded their distribution to multiple new markets.
Holidaily’s leadership team is now preparing for the next stage of growth. They’ve put a strong focus on expanding brand awareness and supporting future market expansion. Internally, the team has streamlined its beer portfolio to create smoother operations and clearer focus.
Additional new products are also on the horizon, showing that Holidaily is continuing to innovate while strengthening the operational foundation that supports its growth.
The Power of the BEN Community
While the advisory meetings themselves were invaluable, Karen points to the broader BEN ecosystem as another meaningful aspect of the experience.
Relationships with advisors, introductions across the network, and connections made at BEN events all played a role in expanding Holidaily’s support system. For many entrepreneurs, those relationships continue to provide value long after the formal program year concludes.
When asked what advice she would give to entrepreneurs beginning their journey with BEN, Karen emphasizes openness.
Her recommendation is simple: trust the process and remove any barriers in your conversations. Advisors are there to help, and the more honest founders can be about the challenges they are facing, the more impactful those conversations can become.
Celebrating a Major Milestone
This year marks a significant moment for Holidaily Brewing Company.
The brewery recently celebrated its tenth anniversary with the largest single day ever recorded at its Golden, CO taproom. The event served as both a celebration of the past decade and a reminder of the community that has grown around the brand.
Holidaily plans to continue celebrating the milestone throughout the year as the company moves forward into its next chapter.
As Karen and her team continue expanding their reach and introducing new beers to the market, the BEN community looks forward to watching what comes next for Holidaily Brewing Company.
A big thank you to Holidaily’s team of Advisors:
From left to right: Lead Advisor Jamie Adler, Advisor Cindy Bedard, Advisor Ellen Robinson, Advisor Jeff Kelley