On this episode of the Ready To Drink Podcast, host Nate Fochtman sits down with Paul Lemley, founder of Battlefield Brew Works in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - one of the most unique brewery and distillery destinations in America.

Paul shares how he transformed an abandoned barn on the historic East Cavalry Field into a thriving brewery and distillery nearly 30 years ago, long before the craft beer boom. From battling township regulations and limited utilities in the ‘90s to becoming Pennsylvania’s first dual-license brewery/distillery, Paul’s story is one of grit, innovation, and true American entrepreneurship.

This is more than a business story - it’s a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and community. Whether you’re a brewer, distiller, entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a good story over a cold drink, this episode will hit home.

Watch, learn, and raise a glass to perseverance.

Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

Support the show

Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

In this episode of Ready To Drink Podcast, host Nate Fochtman sits down with JR Heaps, founder of South County Brewing, to unpack the 15-year journey from a 300-square-foot homebrew setup in Fawn Grove to a 30,000-square-foot destination brewery in York, Pennsylvania.

JR shares how the 2008 housing crash pushed him to chase his brewing dream, the early days of welding tanks and hand-filling bombers, and how South County became a cornerstone of Central PA’s craft scene. From the hazy IPA boom to the rise of small-scale canning, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to survive and grow in one of the most competitive markets in America.

Watch to hear JR’s take on craftsmanship, family, evolution, and what it really means to build something that lasts.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
02:10 – The birth of South County Brewing
06:45 – Brewing through the 2008 crash
12:30 – The shift from bombers to cans
18:15 – The haze craze and changing beer culture
24:40 – Building a community hub in York, PA
31:00 – Lessons from 15 years in the brewing industry

Subscribe to the Ready To Drink Podcast for authentic founder stories from the frontlines of beverage and hospitality innovation.

Support the show

Meet Mike Podlogar and Peri Higgins, Co-Founders of More Love, a hemp-derived THC sparkling beverage based in Hatfield, PA. In this episode of the Ready To Drink Podcast with host Nate Fochtman, Mike and Peri share their journey from successful careers (including investment banking and co-packing) to creating a nationally available alcohol alternative.

More Love is designed to be the ultimate social substitute for alcohol, offering great flavors like Sun Berry, Orange Tide, and Pineapple Colada, without the hangover.

In this deep-dive, you'll learn:

The Power of Federal Legality: How their hemp-derived THC product enables them to sell and ship Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) in up to 28 states, bypassing traditional, regional distribution bottlenecks.

Building a Market from Scratch: The unique challenges and excitement of pioneering an entirely new "Wild West" distribution network in a control state like Pennsylvania.

Product Philosophy: Why they focus on cocktail-inspired flavors and their vision of creating a "net positive" social beverage that raises the bar for the industry.

Entrepreneurial Advice: Their non-negotiable tips for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the challenging beverage market.

Whether you're curious about the future of social drinking or looking for inspiration on launching a consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand in a complex regulatory environment, this interview is a must-listen.

Ready To Drink Podcast is hosted by Nate Fochtman, Founder of The FreeMind Group.