What happens when great beer isn’t enough to grow your brewery? 🍺
In this episode of Branding for Breweries, Tim Weaver chats with Andrew Morgan founder of The Bottle Shop, early pioneer of UK craft beer, and now Non-Exec Director at Roleys.
Andrew shares the hard truth about why so many breweries struggle to stand out and scale.
You’ll learn:
– Why brewers need to stop hiding behind the beer– The danger of rotation culture and losing excitement– How to find your “home run” beer that defines your brand– What indie breweries can learn from big beer– How to turn your taproom into a brand experience
Packed with storytelling, insights, and practical advice, this episode goes beyond the liquid in the glass.
🎧 Listen now and start thinking about your brand differently.
#BreweryBranding #CraftBeerPodcast #BeerMarketing #IndependentBeer #BrandingForBreweries
Subscription boxes aren’t just for steady cash flow, they’re a brand-building goldmine… if you know how to use them.
Tim Weaver (The Brand Weaver) is joined by Olly Morgan, co-founder of Brewser, to unpack what breweries get wrong about subscriptions and how to turn them into loyal fan-building machines.
They dive into:
How Brewser flips the subscription model to benefit breweries
Why storytelling and packaging matter more than price
How internal and external subscriptions work together
Real-world examples from breweries doing it right
Listen now and discover how to grow your brewery’s reach, revenue, and reputation through smarter subscriptions.
🎧 Branding for Breweries, the podcast that helps you grow your brewery, build a better brand, and connect with more drinkers.
Getting your beer into supermarkets sounds like the dream, but for most breweries, it’s where the nightmare begins.
In this episode, Tim Weaver, The Brand Weaver, chats with Ben Penrose, founder of Striqe and co-author of We Are Beer’s ‘Future of Craft Beer’ report. Together they unpack what grocery buyers really want, why most breweries get it wrong, and how to turn your next pitch into a real opportunity.
Ben shares insider insights from 20+ years working with retailers, including:
Why craft beer sales have gone static (and what that really means)
The traits of “commercially capable” breweries buyers actually trust
How to prepare for buyer meetings like a pro
The common pitfalls that kill supermarket deals before they start
What small breweries can learn from big brands like BrewDog
If your goal is to grow beyond taprooms and bottle shops, this episode is essential listening.
🎧 Listen now and discover what it really takes to get your beer on the shelf.
Want your brewery featured on TV or in national press, not just beer blogs? 📺📰
In this episode, I’m joined by PR powerhouse Sarah Warman (ex-BrewDog, now global drinks consultant) to break down how breweries can win mainstream media attention and use it to grow their brand.
You’ll discover:
– How to create PR ideas that catch attention– The right way to build relationships with journalists– How to handle negative press without panicking– Ways to make the most of every media opportunity– Lessons from BrewDog, Sunday Brunch, and beyond
👉 If you want your brewery noticed outside the beer bubble, this episode is your playbook for breaking into the mainstream.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Most breweries focus only on drinkers. But the real decision-makers? They’re often the gatekeepers who decide if your beer ever reaches a glass. 🍺🔑
In this bonus live episode, recorded for the On a Plate Growth community, I share why breweries must look beyond consumers and start tailoring their branding, messaging, and strategy to the people who control access to their market.
You’ll learn:
– Why drinkers aren’t always your most important audience– How to identify the gatekeepers that shape your sales– The Pick a lane Principle: 1 goal, 1 audience, total focus– Practical ways to pitch and position to the right people– Real brewery examples that grew by targeting gatekeepers
👉 If you want to sell more beer and sharpen your focus, this episode will show you how to think beyond the drinker.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Think PR is just for big breweries? Think again. 📢🍺
PR is one of the most powerful tools indie breweries can use to build awareness, trust, and sales—without huge budgets.
In this episode, I’m joined by global PR consultant AilsaCargill, who has worked with drinks brands worldwide, to break down what PR really means, why breweries need it, and how to start building visibility that lasts.
You’ll learn:
– The difference between press relations and public relations– How to map your PR stories across the year– Why great photography is non-negotiable– How PR, marketing, and sales work together to drive growth
👉 If you’ve ever thought PR was too complicated, too expensive, or “not for you,” this episode will change your mind.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start building PR that makes your brewery remembered, not just seen.
Sampling isn’t just a giveaway, it’s a growth lever. 🍻
In this episode, I sit down with Richard Lloyd Williams from Flavou Sampling to share a proven playbook for breweries that want to turn tasters into paying customers.
We cover:
– Live, in-home, and digital sampling explained– How to target key moments (like train-to-festival or trim-to-pub)– Messaging that works in venues to drive trial– Why barbershops and salons deliver surprising results– A simple measurement stack: QR survey + cash prize = clean data– Proof it pays: 30% claimed purchase and 2.7:1 ROI– How to start this week with just one case, one partner, and one goal
👉 If you want to boost trial, track results, and sell more beer, this episode gives you everything you need to start sampling smarter.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music—and let me know what you’ll test first.
What happens when a brewery goes all-in on lager? 🍺
In this episode, Gavin Litton joins me to unpack how Pillars Brewery became a lager specialist with serious commercial bite. From brand clarity to taproom growth, discover the bold moves that helped them stand out and sell more pints.
We cover:
– Why “drinkability” can be a winning brand strategy– The simple hiring rule that levels up your team– Why orange branding works in beer– How premium small pack fuels draft sales– Practical tactics you can use this week to boost focus, cash flow, and accounts
👉 If you’re looking to sharpen your brewery’s strategy and drive pint sales, this episode is packed with lessons you can put into action today.
🎧 Search Branding for Breweries for more episodes and follow for fresh ideas every week.
Think making great beer is enough to grow your brewery? Think again.
In this episode of Branding for Breweries, Tim Weaver chats with James from Brand Hackers about how breweries can stand out, attract loyal customers, and sell more beer in a crowded market.
You’ll discover:
– How to find what truly makes your brewery different
– Why knowing your customer is your strongest marketing tool
– Proven tactics breweries can steal from other industries
– Low-budget wins that deliver big results
– Strategies to scale nationally without losing your edge
Packed with practical advice and real-world examples, this is a must-listen for brewery owners ready to grow beyond “good beer.”
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
What happens when you send your beer to 80 content creators? 🍺📲
Brew 61 took the plunge, nearly 1,000 bottles shipped to influencers across the UK. The aim? Boost brand awareness and win over new drinkers. The results? Big spikes in views, a bump in sales, and valuable lessons for breweries thinking about doing the same.
In this episode, Tim from Brew 61 joins Tim the Brand Weaver to share:
– Why influencers can beat paid ads
– How to choose the right creators for your brand
– The logistics and costs you must factor in
– Why a strong call to action is essential
– Turning awareness into actual sales
If you’ve ever considered influencer marketing for your brewery, this is your behind-the-scenes guide to making it work.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Want to grow your brewery beyond borders—without blowing your budget? 🌍🍻
In this episode, I chat with Simon Williams from Let’s Market, who helped Slovenian brewery Green Gold successfully launch in the UK. We break down how UK breweries can export into Europe and build global awareness without the usual headaches.
You’ll discover:
– How to plan and launch in new markets– What logistics nightmares to avoid– Why UK beer is in high demand abroad– How to use influencers, collabs, and events to build buzz– The financial and cultural pitfalls to watch out for
👉 Learn the exact steps to expand internationally—with less stress, more success, and smart strategy.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
How do you build a cult beer brand by doing everything differently? Just ask Mash Gang. 😈🍻
In this episode, I chat with Jordan Childs, founder of the rule-breaking, alcohol-free brand that turned chaos into community and built a following by being proudly weird, bold, and unapologetically itself.
We cover:
– How Mash Gang went from pandemic side project to cult sensation
– Why niching hard builds real loyalty
– How internal values drive standout creative decisions
– Why being weird isn’t risky, it’s smart strategy
– What big brands can learn from small, scrappy ones
👉 If you’re a brewery founder, brand builder, or just ready to think beyond the drinker—this episode’s your blueprint for breaking the mould.
How do you turn pub passion into a media brand with 180k+ followers? Thomas J. Vosper did just that. 🍻📚
In this episode, I’m joined by the creator of @historicpubcrawls to unpack how he built a loyal audience around beer, books, and bold content—without chasing trends or going viral for the sake of it.
We cover:
– How to grow a brand without gimmicks
– Why Instagram beats TikTok for booze brands
– Using video without overthinking it
– What “authenticity” really means (and doesn’t)
– What brewers should know before pitching creators
👉 Whether you’re building a brewery, a media brand, or just love great pubs, this one’s full of smart insights and honest advice.
Want to stand out like the big players, without their budget? This episode shows you how. 💡🍻
Alice Salisbury (Informed Consulting Co) has advised giants like Diageo and AB InBev and now she’s sharing what indie breweries can borrow, adapt, and own to grow fast with smarter storytelling and sharper comms.
We cover:
– A better way to pitch to bars and bottle shops
– Why “authenticity” isn’t enough anymore
– How to build a memorable brand on a small budget
– Real-world lessons from spirits brands doing on-trade right
– The one thing every brewery should do in their local venues
👉 Whether you’re scrappy, scaling, or somewhere in between this episode will help you sell more by thinking smarter.
Think Untappd is just for ratings? Smart breweries are turning it into a serious sales tool. 📱🍻
In this episode, I chat with Tom from Untappd to reveal how breweries are using the platform to plan releases, boost taproom traffic, and build loyalty.
We cover:
– How to use Untappd data to plan better beer launches
– Why claiming your brewery page is a no-brainer
– Taproom tools that increase check-ins and footfall
– Untappd marketing features most breweries miss
– What’s next for Untappd in the UK
👉 Whether you’re an indie startup or scaling nationally, this episode will change how you see the platform, and help you tap into its full potential.
Peach lager. Mango pale. Raspberry radler. Fruity beers are everywhere in 2025, and buyers are taking notice. 🍑🍻
This week, beer buyer Nathan Morrow (Venus / Tesco/ Booker Group) returns to share why flavour-first brews are dominating the taps, and what breweries should be planning next.
We cover:
– Why moderation and bold flavour are driving sales
– What beer styles actually work commercially
– What buyers are really looking for in 2025
– Which trends are just noise,and which ones will stick
👉 Whether you're brewing a fruited lager or planning next year’s range, this episode is full of practical, real-world insight from the other side of the table.
Can one brewery do it all? Jeremy Pryes says no, and that’s why he launched Idyll Forest alongside Pryes Brewing. 🍒🍻
In this episode, we explore how Jeremy built two totally different beer brands to serve two distinct audiences, one consistent and reliable, the other wild, funky, and flavour-first.
We cover:
– The world of lambic, bottle conditioning, and terroir-driven brewing
– Why Idyll Forest leans into artistry, chaos, and exploration
– How Pryes Brewing stays steady, accessible, and scalable
– When (and why) to separate your beer brands
– What it takes to grow two brands without losing your mind
👉 If you’re thinking about expanding your product range or launching a side brand, this episode will make you rethink your strategy.
What happens when your love of retro gaming becomes the heart of a beer brand? 🎮🍻
In this episode, I chat with Andy Parker, founder of Elusive Brewing, about how 8-bit pixel art, video game nostalgia, and community connection turned a small brewery into a cult favourite in the UK beer scene.
We explore:
– How to turn a passion project into a powerful brand
– Why Elusive’s artwork drives both engagement and sales
– How naming, design, and storytelling help cut through shelf noise
– What happens when you stay true to your niche—and double down on it
👉 Whether you’re a brewer, a gamer, or just want to build a brand that actually means something, this one’s packed with inspiration and practical takeaways.
Can cask beer stay classic and connect with a new generation of drinkers? Absolutely, if you get the branding right. 🍺✨
In this episode, I chat with brewery marketing consultant Harriet Kelly (Northern Monk, Brewgooder, Salt, Ossett) about how to reposition cask beer without losing its soul.
We explore:
– How to attract younger drinkers without alienating loyal fans
– Rebranding strategies that respect tradition and boost relevance
– Small fixes with big impact, like better pump clips and taproom tools
– Why briefing before brewing can transform your range
– What defines a premium cask brand in today’s market
– How visual and tone consistency builds trust across your lineup
👉 If you brew, sell, or love cask, this episode will help you future-proof your brewery, without losing what makes you special.
Is your brewery’s website quietly costing you sales? It’s more common than you think. 🖥️📩
In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Walton, founder of On a Plate Growth, to break down how breweries can improve their website, email flows, and digital sales strategy with fast, real-world fixes.
We cover:
– The top website mistakes breweries make (and how to fix them)
– How to treat your webshop like a physical taproom
– Why email flows (not just newsletters) drive consistent revenue
– How to build irresistible gift packs that actually convert
– What content your site needs, and what to ditch
👉 Whether you're new to digital sales or ready to optimise, this episode is packed with quick wins to upgrade your online presence today.