Samuel Adams founder offering free advice to Southland start-ups

Samuel Adams brewer and founder Jim Koch says he hasn’t forgotten how hard it was to start a small business. He’s offering free coaching -- and perhaps some start-up funding -- to small Southern California food, beverage and craft brewing companies.

The program, “Brewing the American Dream,” is scheduled for Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at downtown’s L.A. Mart, 1933 S. Broadway.

Business owners who want to attend can register in advance on this link.

Those who attend can participate in up to six 20-minute coaching sessions with representatives from Boston Beer Co. and the Valley Economic Development Center.

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Koch’s business start-up program previously helped Edward Belden obtain funding for his company, Peddler’s Creamery, after he was unable to obtain a bank loan to expand his business. He turned to “Brewing the American Dream” and received funding that allowed him to hire employees and open his first bricks-and-mortar location in downtown Los Angeles.

Samuel Adams lager is brewed by Boston Beer Co. and its associated contract brewers. The company was founded in 1984 in Boston.

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