Brewing Independence: 20 Years of Craft Beer Success with Peta Fielding

What does it take to build a thriving independent brewery in the shadow of multinational giants?  In this episode, *Peta Fielding*, co-founder of Burleigh Brewing, takes us behind the scenes of her nearly 20-year journey crafting one of Australia's most beloved indie beer brands. From buying a brewery out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy to mastering long-term strategy and fostering deep brand loyalty, Peta shares the highs, lows, and crucial decisions that fueled their growth.  Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights on passion, resilience, and scaling up while staying true to your community values. Key Topics & Takeaways: - Building and sustaining an independent craft brewery in Australia - Navigating early hurdles, including acquiring a bankrupt business - Competing against multinational beverage giants - The power of venue dynamics, brand loyalty, and community engagement - Strategic growth, funding, and leadership for the long haul Chapters: - 00:00 – Introduction to Peta Fielding & Burleigh Brewing - 02:27 – The Origins: From Hawaii MBA to Burleigh Heads - 05:55 – Buying a Brewery Out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - 07:36 – Building a Business with Values & Community Focus - 12:38 – Scaling Up: From Small Units to a Production Brewery - 18:16 – Funding, Investors, & Business Growth - 25:49 – Current Capacity & Future Expansion - 37:27 – Venue Role & Community Engagement - 43:44 – Industry Challenges & Multinationals in Australia - 54:22 – Leadership, Succession, & Long-Term Vision - 1:07:38 – Future Outlook & Maintaining Independence Thanks for listening.  Visit the Owner To Owner Podcast website to subscribe, listen back, or check out any resources or information mentioned on the show. Search @ownertoownerpodcast on your favourite podcast player to subscribe and listen to the episodes. Reach out to Michael Kerr via the website if you need personal assistance or advice for your small business. [**michael.kerr@kerrcapital.com.au**](mailto:michael.kerr@kerrcapital.com.au) [www.ownertoownerpodcast.com.au](www.ownertoowner.com.au)