Working Together to Support Craft Beverage Businesses
Lotus Beverage Alliance is GW Kent, Apha Brewing Operations, Stout Tanks and Kettles, Brewmation, Twin Monkeys Beverage Systems, and Automated Extractions. We have allied to become the only company in North America to cover every step of craft brewery and beverage production—from raw ingredient supply to packaging, and everything in between.
Our Alliance Takes a Customer-First Approach
Lotus Beverage Alliance combines resources, expertise, and network to offer a more comprehensive range of craft beverage brewing products & services, as well as improved customer service and support. Together, we’re better equipped to help our customers succeed in today’s brewing market by continuously improving our offerings and proactively meet our customer’s needs.
- Owned and operated by craft beverage enthusiasts
- One point of contact for everything from system design help to malt, hops, and replacement parts all accessible under the same customer-centric model. No waiting on hold or unanswered emails
- If you can dream it, we’ve likely done it (more than once)
- Always in stock, always in business
- Nationwide footprint
- Speed to delivery, expertise with local laws, etc.
Allied With You, For You
The Lotus Beverage Alliance was born from a desire to better serve the craft beverage makers of the world. By bringing together the top beverage equipment and technology suppliers in the industry, we are able to offer customers better resources, extensive support, and more value with each purchase.
Our team is comprised of craft beverage enthusiasts from all industries. We bring 100+ years of combined experience from commercial beverages such as beer, wine, cider, kombucha, and even hot sauce to our work. This experience allows us to work alongside our customers, helping to plan for the journey ahead. As people who have spent a lot of time in brewhouses, cellars, and taprooms, we know what it takes to create a successful craft beverage business.
No matter what craft beverage venture you plan to undertake, the Lotus team is prepared to support your investment and equip you for success. We want to help your craft beverage business. Let us know how we can.
We Want to Help your Craft Beverage Business.
Let Us Know How We Can.
CEO: John Ansbro
John Ansbro is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in equipment manufacturing. Ansbro has held senior executive positions at Alfa Laval, Johnson Controls, and most recently he served as the Regional CEO at the GEA North America Group.
Ansbro is a visionary and dynamic executive with an impeccable record of accelerating businesses to achieve more profitable growth. He has led strategic business transformations with engineered mechanical products for the Food & Beverage, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration and HVAC market segments. John’s scope of experience encompasses Lean Manufacturing , Go-to-Market, Engineering Management, Operational Performance Improvement, Brand & Organizational Revitalization, M&A, SAP/ Digital Transformation, Revenue Growth, Financial Controls and Cash Management.
Ansbro holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Business Administration, Management and Operations from Mount Saint Mary’s College. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering from State University of New York, New York State Merchant Marine Academy and received a 3rd Assistant Engineer Unlimited Steam & Diesel Power Licenses & Certification for the United States CoastGuard.
Company Values
Respectful & Honest
Act with respect and honesty
Go the Extra Mile
Deliver an amazing customer experience
Innovation
Solve problems through innovation and technology
Sustainability
Use sustainable practices sensibly
Founding Members
Matt excelled in business development and executive leadership across several organizations. He has patents and patents pending in his pursuit of innovation in the beverage brewing and canning industry. Matt champions a culture of service excellence, ownership, empowerment, and efficiency. His team is passionate for new product designs that benefit customers, and they love to push the envelope with what’s possible. Together, they inspire beverage makers around the world by delivering products and consulting services that bring their pursuit for the delicious to life. Matt loves to grow with customers and exchange beverage stories with them. You’ll most likely find Matt at the bottom of an IPA.
Josh has been a home brewer for a while a commercial brewer for years. He applied his background in mechanical engineering, and AI computer engineering along with his background in automated systems in several industries. He also worked in aerospace before running Twin Monkeys. Josh has a strong work ethic, and he motivates his team to be results oriented in both work and life. Together they are driven to deliver equipment-based solutions, quality service that includes education for beverage makers and ingenuity. Josh enjoys offering solutions to his customers’ problems that lead to the best product and service outcome. When it comes to craft beverages, he loves all kinds.
John has been managing and engineering equipment for Stout Tanks and Kettles since 2009. He is an expert at establishing priorities, creating strategies, and achieving buy-in that helps realize company goals. John finds inspiration in helping craft brewers achieve their dreams of building and growing successful craft businesses. An avid homebrewer himself, and the previous owner of a 20bbl brewery, John knows the importance of making personal connections and providing cost-effective solutions to craft brewers. His team thrives on amazing customer service, delivering engaging experiences that transform and bring to life their customers’ visions of offering something exclusive to the market. You won’t find Hazy IPA’s in his refrigerator. He prefers a cold, authentic continental lager.
Kevin worked for 25 years in various manufacturing management and controls positions for several reputable companies. In 2003, his home brewing hobby collided with his expertise in automation, and from there Brewmation, custom brewery solutions, was born. He’s also the founder of Automated Extractions. Kevin and his team have their mind set on the future automation needs of their customers’ businesses. They design innovative beverage making solutions and through their collaborative efforts deliver high service standards. Kevin enjoys supporting community business ventures who love to create unique tasting experiences, and he’s always down for a delicious cold brew coffee.
Randy co-founded GW Kent with his wife. He was an avid homebrewer, wine, and mead maker and, like most craft beverage experts, he turned his hobby into a career. Randy and his team rely on each other, work with the latest technologies, and apply a “one-for-all-and-all-for-one” approach to providing the best service for customers. Randy enjoys the creative side of the craft beverage industry and the dedicated people who work within it. He motivates his team to solve their customers’ problems in pursuit of creating a better beverage and wants to help them achieve their goals of serving their local community with a quality product. Randy’s favorite beverage is a pinot noir which, according to him, pairs nicely with everything.
