E129: Self-Distro Secrets, GF Beer, and Brewing on an Island with Alicia MacDonald of Port Rexton Brewing

E129: Self-Distro Secrets, GF Beer, and Brewing on an Island with Alicia MacDonald of Port Rexton Brewing

Author: Small Batch Standard May 15, 2026 Duration: 29:12
n this episode, we’re trekking to a tiny town of 350 people in rural Newfoundland to chat with Alicia MacDonald, co-founder of Port Rexton Brewing (who is celebrating 10 years this summer)! Along with her business partner, Alicia has spent the last decade navigating island logistics, dodging icebergs, and balancing summer tourism with distribution-filled winters. Highlights include: * Turning a DIY four-barrel hobby into a 15-barrel production facility * How a celiac diagnosis led to running the only certified gluten-free brewery in Atlantic Canada * The reality and insight gained of brewing on an island and how to get the most out of your taproom being a seasonal magnet for tourists Alicia proves that staying power comes from a "true brand following" and…well, a lot of grit. If you’re brewery is focused on local, local, local, you may just find a gem or two in this episode!

Every week on The True Craft Podcast, hosts Chris Farmand and Katy Noel pull up a chair for the kind of frank talk you’d usually only get in a private office or after hours at a trade show. This isn’t about surface-level success stories. Instead, each episode features a genuine conversation with a craft business owner, digging into the real and often messy details of running an operation. You’ll hear about the specific hurdles they’ve faced, the unexpected opportunities they’ve seized, and the tough, daily decisions that define life as an entrepreneur in this hands-on world. Created by Small Batch Standard, the podcast serves as an essential resource for practitioners who want to move beyond theory and into the practical realities of management and growth. The discussions are grounded, insightful, and focused entirely on the experiences of people who are actually doing the work, making it a unique listen for anyone building a business with their own hands. Tune in for a dose of honesty and actionable perspective that cuts straight to the heart of what it means to be a craft owner today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The True Craft Podcast
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