Branding for Breweries - Strategies to Grow Brewery Brands and Sales

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 –...

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 Fore...

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 en...

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...

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 phy...

What really happens when your indie brewery joins forces with a global beer giant? 🍺🤝🌍 In this episode, I’m joined by Jez Galaun, co-founder of Brixton Brewery , to talk about the journey from under-the-arches startup to joining the Heineken family, without losing sight of brand integrity. We cover: – The story behind Brixton’s partnership with Heineken – What changed (and what stayed the same)...

Want more locals in your taproom, without paid ads or social media headaches? This episode is for you. 🧠📍 I’m joined by marketing strategist Madeline McMahon to break down smart, scrappy ways breweries can grow footfall using community-first tactics and overlooked tools. We cover: – Community marketing moves that actually work – How your Chamber of Commerce can drive real sales – What most brewe...

Why are more drinkers choosing taprooms over traditional pubs? It’s not just about the beer. 🍻🏠 In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Emson, taproom inclusivity consultant, CAMRA exec, and Women on Tap board member, to explore how taprooms are redefining hospitality, inclusivity, and customer experience. We cover: – What makes taprooms feel more welcoming than pubs – Small layout changes that mak...

Social media won’t save your brewery. But owned media just might. 📧📲 In this episode, I chat with Chris Overlay from Get Hoptimized, a beer-focused marketing agency, about why email, SMS, and loyalty tools should be your marketing MVPs. We dig into: – What owned media really is (and why it beats social) – How to grow your mailing list without annoying your audience – Real tactics that build loya...

Brewing great beer is easy. Building a brand that sells it? That’s the real challenge. 🍻💡 In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bruns, founder of Ale Advised, to help you turn passion into profit by thinking like a brand. We dive into: – Why passion alone won’t pay the bills – Why brand voice matters more than visuals – How to turn your staff into your best storytellers – What to do if you hate...

Feel like your brewery’s marketing is reactive, inconsistent, or just chaotic? You’re not alone, and there’s a better way. 🧠🍺 In this episode, I’m joined by Warren Bondi, co-founder of Beer Marketeers , to reveal the systems, tools, and strategies that help breweries streamline their marketing and sell more beer. We cover: – The #1 reason brewery marketing fails (and how to fix it) – “Bare bones...

The LoNo beer market is booming, but are breweries keeping up? 🍻🚫 In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Gibbs, aka Sober Boozer’s Club, to explore how indie breweries can better connect with the fast-growing alcohol-free market and meet the expectations of today’s sober-curious drinkers. We cover: – Why alcohol-free beer is growing, but still misunderstood – What drinkers actually want from LoNo be...

How do you create a beer so tied to a city, people think it’s always been there? 🖤🍺 In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Anspach, co-founder of Anspach & Hobday and one half of the team behind London Black , the Nitro Porter taking on Guinness from the heart of the capital. We dive into: – How London Black became a brand Londoners genuinely own – Why every beer needs a sense of place, and how...

What really makes a beer independent, and why should drinkers care? 🍺 In this episode, I’m joined by Neil Walker, Head of Marketing at SIBA , to explore how breweries can use the Indie Beer badge to stand out, win trust, and grow their audience. We cover: – “Craft” vs “independent”: what drinkers actually think – Why 30% of 18–24s already care about indie status – How to use the Indie Beer badge...

Think packaging is just about looking good? Think again. Your can could be your strongest sales tool. 📦🍺 In this episode, I’m joined by James Mataczynski, engineer, brewer, and founder of CraftCrate, to unpack how beer packaging can drive sales, boost your brand, and reshape customer habits. We cover: – Why packaging isn’t just marketing, it’s a revenue stream – What drinkers really notice on yo...

Think your beer will sell itself just because it’s good? That’s the biggest lie in brewing, and it’s holding indie breweries back. ⚠️🍺 In this episode, I’m joined by marketing veteran Grant McKenzie (Peroni, Asahi, Pilsner Urquell) to bust the biggest myths around brewery marketing and brand growth. We dig into: – Why “great beer” isn’t a strategy – What big beer brands get right (and indies must...

Winning a medal is great, but turning it into sales, brand value, and momentum? That’s where the magic is. 🏆🍻 In this episode, I’m joined by beer judge and Advanced Cicerone Josh Lindsay to explore how breweries can make the most of beer awards. We cover: – What really sets award-winning beers apart – The biggest mistakes breweries make when entering – How to promote your win without sounding bo...

Breweries are closing. Drinkers are changing. And your old playbook? It’s not cutting it anymore. 🍻⚠️ In this special solo episode, The Brand Weaver shares no-fluff advice on how indie breweries can stay relevant, attract the next generation of drinkers, and build a brand that actually connects. We cover: – Why your beer isn’t the hero anymore (and what is) – The real reason social media is falli...

Want to sell more beer, without drowning in emails and spreadsheets? This one’s for you. 🍺📈 I’m joined by Sarah Sinclair from Sellar to explore how breweries can boost trade sales, streamline operations, and stand out from the crowd. We cover: – Why just listing your beer isn’t enough to get sales – How to build better relationships with trade buyers – The biggest mistakes breweries make when se...

Loyal taproom customers are the backbone of any successful brewery. But how do you keep them coming back? 🍻 In this episode, I’m joined by Ross Stensrud, co-founder of Tapwyse, to break down how to build loyalty, boost membership revenue, and create repeat visitors with smart strategy and tech. We cover: – The biggest taproom challenges facing breweries today – Monthly vs. annual memberships, wha...

Why do some breweries thrive, and others fall flat? 🍺💡 In this episode, I’m joined by Aaron Gore from Beer30 to explore what past patterns, current challenges, and future trends reveal about real brewery success. We cover: – The key traits of breweries that stood the test of time – What’s holding breweries back right now—and how to fix it – Whether we’re headed for a boom or a bust in brewing –...

Want to make your brewery more welcoming and inclusive? Start here. 🍻🌈 In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel Auty, marketing consultant and founder of Women on Tap, to explore how breweries can create inclusive spaces that attract a wider, more diverse audience. We cover: – How to appeal to more than just “typical” beer drinkers – Simple, affordable steps to make your taproom more welcoming – Ho...

Partnerships can grow your brewery’s reach, but only if you choose the right ones. 🎧🍺 In this episode, I chat with Jimbo, host of the Ale & Audio podcast and founder of Ale & Radio , a 24/7 streaming station for beer lovers. We cover: – How to use podcasts and radio to promote your brewery – What Jimbo learned from his collab with Overtone Brewery – How to pick the right partners, not ju...

Your taproom isn’t just where you pour pints, it’s your most powerful sales channel. 🍻 In this episode, I’m joined by taproom specialist Dan Hornbrook to break down how to attract more customers, run better events, and boost sales in 2025. We cover: – The best days and times to promote taproom events (based on real data) – Why people aren’t showing up, and how to fix it – Simple ways to create an...

Your beer looks amazing, so should your brand. 📸🍺 In this episode, I chat with beer photographer Chris Coulson about how breweries can use great visuals to stand out, grab attention, and drive real sales. We cover: – How to brief photographers for brand-driven results – What makes beer photography pop in a crowded market – How strong visuals boost marketing, merch, and awareness – Common brewery...