Use Case: Ashland Brewing Company

How Customers Use Technology in Restaurants

World’s first brewery to embed generative AI into customer and server experience

Studio Perspective - Why This Matters to You

Ashland Brewing Company (ABC) isn’t just a local taproom — it’s a 15,000-square-foot, 600-guest destination with a full brewhouse, restaurant, pickleball courts, and event space. By becoming the world’s first brewery to deploy generative AI for customer and server assistance, ABC shows how AI can anchor operations at scale, not just at the margins.

— Proof at destination scale: If SomAI can handle real-time pairing, multilingual support, and allergy guidance in a multi-use venue of this size, it can work anywhere.

— Staff and guest confidence in sync: Servers perform with expert knowledge from day one, while guests receive personalized recommendations they trust.

— Ops + marketing flywheel: SomAI captures real guest intent at the table; Social Sizzle converts that intelligence into automated posts, promos, and menu innovation.

— Fast, transferable launch: Because SomAI learns from existing menus and policies, adoption is fast, seasonal-ready, and applicable to wineries, resorts, and hospitality venues across categories.

The deeper takeaway: ABC demonstrates that AI is not just a support tool — it’s the connective tissue between front-of-house, back-of-house, and brand storytelling. For leaders, this is the blueprint for embedding AI as an operating system of hospitality.

Quick Snapshot

• Challenge: Operating a 600-guest destination venue while scaling staff training, guest personalization, and brand presence.
• Solution: Brown Bacon AI’s SomAI + Social Sizzle delivered tableside pairing guidance, multilingual support, allergy sensitivity, staff onboarding, and daily brand-matched content.
• Result: Faster staff ramp-up, consistent guest trust, automated marketing, and measurable lift in guest spend (+7%).

Case Background

Nebraska, March 17, 2025 — Brown Bacon AI (brownbacon.com), a global leader in AI innovation, has partnered with Ashland Brewing Company (ABC) to launch the world’s first brewery to utilize generative AI for customer and server assistance. SomAI, Brown Bacon AI’s patent-pending platform co-developed with a world-class sommelier, blends hospitality expertise with generative AI to deliver real-time, tailored recommendations for food, beverages, and cigar pairings.

In 2024, Brown Bacon AI launched the first server-assisted AI for restaurants. Now, they’ve introduced SomAI at ABC, making it the first brewery to use generative AI for personalized recommendations and efficiency.

At ABC’s 15,000 sq ft facility, situated on five acres, SomAI will power tableside recommendations, staff training, social media automation, AI-driven gaming, pickleball court support, and the pioneering AI-enhanced cigar pairing feature.

“As a beer connoisseur, partnering with ABC is a thrilling step toward transforming hospitality worldwide,” said Tony Arnold, CEO of Brown Bacon AI. “We’re excited for the Ashland community and Nebraska’s technology and innovation landscape. We are proud to support the team behind ABC’s craft brewing process.”

Tim Uryasz, Owner/Operator of Ashland Brewing Company (ashlandbrewco.com), added: “We’re excited to collaborate with Brown Bacon AI to enhance customer experiences and business efficiency. SomAI will assist in decision-making, process creation, marketing, training, and quality control, while supporting allergy sensitivities, dietary needs, and multilingual capabilities with affordable, cutting-edge AI technology.”

“ABC is a massive entertainment destination with a 600-person capacity, featuring a full restaurant/bar, 5-barrel brewhouse, pickleball courts, and event spaces,” said Aimee Arnold, CMO of Brown Bacon AI. “Our SomAI solutions will deliver unmatched personalization, driving automation, personalized service, business strategy, and marketing. We’re leading the industry with practical AI applications for B2B and B2C businesses like ABC.”