Our Story

Solon Consulting began with a passion for craft brewing and a vision to elevate the beverage industry through expert guidance and hands-on support. Founded in Austin, Texas, our journey started when our team of brewery veterans recognized a critical gap in the industry: beverage businesses needed more than just theoretical advice—they needed partners who could help implement practical solutions.

From our humble beginnings serving local Austin breweries, we've grown into a nationally recognized consulting firm with clients across all fifty states and international markets. What hasn't changed is our commitment to rolling up our sleeves and working alongside our clients to solve real-world challenges.

Our Philosophy

At Solon Consulting, we believe that success in the beverage industry comes from blending time-tested brewing traditions with innovative approaches and technologies. Our philosophy centers on three core principles:

Practical Expertise: We don't just advise—we implement. Our recommendations come from decades of hands-on experience in brewing operations, not textbooks.

Client Partnership: We view every engagement as a partnership. Your success is our success, which is why we invest the time to understand your unique goals and challenges.

Continuous Innovation: The beverage industry never stands still, and neither do we. We constantly explore new techniques, technologies, and approaches to help our clients stay ahead of the curve.

Our Team

Leadership

Kirby Kirkconnell
Co-Founder & Lead Consultant
Born on the island of Guanaja, Honduras, Kirby moved to the United States as a teenager and served in the U.S. Navy. His brewing career includes experience at (512) Brewing Company and as co-founder of Oasis Texas Brewing Company in Austin before establishing Solon Consulting with Matt Couch in 2020. Kirby has developed expertise in production brewing, quality assurance, and process optimization. His hands-on approach to consulting comes from years of solving real-world brewing challenges across various production environments.

Matt Couch
Founder & Principal Consultant
Matt brings extensive brewing expertise developed through both formal education and hands-on experience. He began his career in brewing in England, attending brewing school in 2011. His career path has included work at breweries of various sizes, from smaller operations in Virginia to larger facilities on the East Coast. Prior to founding Solon Consulting in 2020, Matt served as Brewmaster at Lazarus Brewing Company in Austin, where he managed brewery operations and gained valuable experience in the Texas craft beer scene. His background includes facility management, production oversight, and process optimization.

Our Expertise

Our team brings together experts from every facet of the beverage industry:

• Master Brewers with production experience across multiple brewing systems

• Equipment Specialists who understand the intricacies of brewing technology

• Process Engineers focused on efficiency and sustainability

• Quality Assurance Professionals dedicated to product consistency and excellence

• Business Strategists with deep knowledge of the beverage marketplace

• Technology Integrators who bridge the gap between traditional brewing and modern solutions

Combined, our team offers over 75 years of cumulative experience in the brewing and beverage industry.

What Sets Us Apart

Unlike traditional consultants who provide recommendations and leave implementation to you, Solon Consulting offers end-to-end support. We're known for:

Practical Implementation: We don't just tell you what to do—we help you do it. From equipment installation to staff training, we're there every step of the way.

Holistic Approach: We consider every aspect of your operation, from production efficiency to market positioning, ensuring all elements work together seamlessly.

Results-Driven Methods: We measure our success by your success. Our focus remains on delivering tangible improvements to your bottom line.

Industry Connections: Our extensive network of equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and industry professionals gives our clients access to resources not typically available to individual businesses.

Our Values

Integrity: We provide honest assessments and transparent recommendations, even when they're not what clients expect to hear.

Excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do, from the advice we give to the solutions we implement.

Innovation: We continuously seek better ways to solve problems and improve operations.

Sustainability: We believe in building businesses that are sustainable—both environmentally and economically.

Community: We're proud to support and strengthen the craft beverage community through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Our Commitment

When you work with Solon Consulting, you're not just hiring consultants—you're gaining partners invested in your long-term success. We're committed to providing the knowledge, tools, and support you need to build a thriving beverage business that stands the test of time.

Ready to transform your brewing or beverage operation? Contact us today to start the conversation.