About Us
Solon Consulting is comprised of the best industry veterans with experience unlike any other consultancy. We are beverage manufacturing and project management experts.
Meet the Industry Veterans Behind Solon Consulting
Our team combines extraordinary perspectives and decades of hands-on experience. With business ownership experience across the board, the Solon Consulting team delivers complete solutions from business strategy through technical execution for breweries, wineries, and distilleries. We don’t just advise – we execute.
The Solon Vision: Beyond Traditional Consulting
Forget consultants who just talk. At Solon Consulting, we build. Born in Austin, Texas, from the shared vision of acclaimed entrepreneurs Matt Couch and Kirby Kirkconnell, Solon has developed into the industry standard for beverage manufacturing consulting excellence with ongoing clients of all sizes across the craft beverage spectrum.
50+ Years Combined Experience
With a combined 50+ years forging success in the heat of production and the boardroom, our team brings unparalleled expertise from macro operations to craft innovation, from business ownership to technical execution.
Our Team
Matt Couch
Partner / Co-Founder
Matt Couch brings a unique blend of formal education and big-brewery expertise to every project. His journey from Victory Brewing Company, an international powerhouse, to farming various craft operations including Austin’s iconic Lazarus Brewing, Matt’s journey is steeped in relentless precision and revolutionary innovation. His drive to improve constantly has earned him recognition across the industry, and his passion for brewing excellence fuels every Solon Consulting project.
Background:
20+ years of hands-on brewing operations and leadership
Experience with large national and international brewing operations at Victory Brewing Company
Developed Texas’ craft beer scene through Lazarus Brewing and Old Gregg Brewing
Formal brewing education from accredited UK Brewing School
Award winning recipe developer with proven results in process and production optimization
Expertise spanning all system sizes and orientations in all types of production plants.
Kirby Kirkconnell
Partner / Co-Founder
A U.S. Navy veteran and co-founder of the renowned Austin staple Old Gregg Brewing Company, Kirby transforms challenges into triumphs. His experience turning grassroots visions into manufacturing powerhouses brings military-grade precision and startup agility to every client engagement.
Background:
U.S. Navy veteran bringing military discipline to beverage operations
Co-founder of Old Gregg Brewing, one of Austin’s most successful craft breweries amongst others
Proven track record scaling operations from startup to regional distribution
Expert in production efficiency, cost optimization, and team building
Specialist in transforming operational challenges into competitive advantages
Jeff Young
Consultant
Jeff Young brings decades of hands-on entrepreneurial experience to our team. His journey founding and building successful beverage operations provides clients with real-world insights that only come from being in the trenches.
Background:
Graduate of the American Brewers Guild with formal brewing education
Founder of Blue Owl Brewing and multiple successful beverage ventures
Specializes in startup operations, business development, and market positioning
Deep understanding of both front-of-house and production operations
Mentor to numerous craft beverage entrepreneurs
Andy Martinec
Consultant
Andy brings over 12 years of hands-on brewing experience to Solon Consulting, having worked across multiple facets of the industry—from production brewing and recipe development to equipment installation and operational efficiency.
As a former brewery owner, he understands firsthand the challenges that come with starting, scaling, and running a beverage business, as well as managing a team and creating products that resonate with today’s discerning consumer.
Background:
Beyond brewing, Andy has a deep-rooted background in food and beverage, with experience spanning hospitality operations and beverage program consulting. His practical knowledge of draft systems, fermentation science, and front-of-house flow gives him a unique ability to bridge the gap between production and guest experience.
Trenten Relles
Consultant
Trent is a dynamic hospitality leader with over a decade of experience driving operational excellence and team development in high-volume restaurants, bars, and breweries. He spearheaded Meanwhile Brewing’s growth, building from 12 to 90 employees and earning Austin’s Best Brewery recognition for 3 consecutive years.
Background:
- Hospitality operations and team development specialist
- Front-of-house operations and hiring strategies expert
- James Beard Award-winning establishment experience
- Led Meanwhile Brewing’s 6-year growth transformation
- Austin’s Best Brewery recognition for 3 consecutive years
- Multi-million-dollar revenue stream development
Brent Sapstead
Consultant
Brent brings a decade of experience from Real Ale Brewing Company (2008-2018) as Head Brewer/Production Manager to his current role as Co-Founder & Director of Brewing at Hold Out Brewing (2018-Present). His expertise in Gose brewing and collaborative projects earned him the 2024 GABF Bronze Medal for “Spudweiser” collaboration with Live Oak Brewing.
Background:
Real Ale Brewing Head Brewer/Production Manager (2008-2018)
Hold Out Brewing Co-Founder & Director (2018-Present)
2024 GABF Bronze: “Spudweiser” with Live Oak Brewing
Specialties: All production sizes, business management and operations
Our Blueprint
Results, Not Rhetoric
Solon Consulting was forged in the fire of real-world production. We take the hard-hit lessons, main-event wins, and promise a simple truth:
Unbiased Expertise
Decades of hands-on, award-winning brewery and beverage leadership inform every recommendation. We’ve brewed, fermented, distilled, packaged, and distributed at every scale.
Veteran Precision
As a veteran-owned firm, we bring discipline and decisive action to every project. From planning to pour, we execute with military-grade precision and startup agility.
Proven Results
From pilot systems to 200-barrel brewhouses, from boutique wineries to high-volume beverage production, we’ve delivered measurable results. Our clients see average efficiency gains of 30% and significant COGS reductions.
We’re not just consultants; we’re your strategic weapon in a competitive market. For breweries, wineries, and distilleries seeking peak performance, Solon Consulting delivers.
Why Solon Consulting?
Real Experience, Real Results
Unlike traditional consultants who’ve never worked a tank or pulled a sample, our team has lived every aspect of beverage production. We have:
- Built breweries, wineries, and distilleries from the ground up
- Managed complex manufacturing facility expansions and capital projects
- Scaled operations from pilot systems to 100,000+ barrel production
- Navigated regulatory challenges across multiple states and countries
- Optimized everything from grain handling to packaging lines
- Trained teams, developed SOPs, and implemented quality programs
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every beverage operation has unique challenges, opportunities, and culture.
Client Success Stories
Our portfolio spans craft breweries expanding distribution, wineries optimizing production flow, distilleries navigating compliance, and beverage producers launching innovative products. From Austin to Athens, we’ve helped beverage and manufacturing businesses achieve their vision while maintaining their unique character.
Certifications & Affiliations
Master Brewers Association of the Americas
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
Brewers Association
The American Society of Brewing Chemists
Texas Craft Brewers Guild
Explore Core Services & Resources
Learn how our execution-focused consulting accelerates production readiness and operational performance.
Complete Perspective
Business strategy, technical execution, financial optimization, regulatory compliance – all integrated.