In this episode, Troy sits down with Mandie Murphy, the marketing mind, industry advocate, and co-founder of Toronto’s Left Field Brewery. Widely respected for her leadership and voice in Ontario craft beer, Mandie shares her journey from corporate marketing to building a purpose-driven brewery rooted in community, independence, a love of baseball, and doing so alongside her partner in business and in life.   

They get into the baseball-inspired brand, the now-infamous noise complaint that went all the way to city hall, leadership lessons learned the hard way, and Mandie’s perspective on growing craft beer beyond its 11% market share in Ontario. An honest conversation about risk, resilience, and creating joy through beer... and renting U-Hauls on the weekend.   

What’s in this episode: 

• The Left Field origin story – from reading a blog to Niagara College to contract brewing 
• Building a baseball-driven brand  
• Becoming the first brewery in Toronto’s East End 
• Scaling up: opening Leslieville and launching Liberty Village 
• Navigating controversy, community, and city hall 
• Leadership, burnout, and industry advocacy 
• What’s next for Ontario craft beer 

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good!  

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears.