Ready To Drink Podcast

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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.

The FreeMind Group
Owner-operator market development and PR, built on the street for the last 18 years.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

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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.

The FreeMind Group
Owner-operator market development and PR, built on the street for the last 18 years.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

Send us Fan Mail

Corey Wolfe's journey is a masterclass in turning long-term vision into reality. 

In this compelling interview on the Ready To Drink Podcast with host Nate Fochtman, Corey, the founder of Woof Bar in York, PA, dives deep into the decade-long evolution of his dream.

Starting with zero connections and a server job, Corey leveraged public art projects (like the incredible, backwards window murals he developed to navigate city regulations), community volunteering, and fierce local networking to build the social equity that made his business possible. He shares the ingenious sourcing of everything from bar stools to 2,000 pieces of glassware—all donated by the community—making Woof Bar truly a "community bar."

Discover:
How Corey used creative problem-solving to launch the original York City 6 brewery collaboration and groundbreaking local art initiatives.

The surprising origin of the name "Woof Bar" and his plans to be a dog-friendly local hub.

Why his concept is built entirely on supporting Pennsylvania-made products, from spirits to beer.

Corey's powerful advice on using social equity and collaboration to overcome the high cost of opening a business and achieving your biggest goals.

This episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to make a lasting impact in their community and turn a long-held passion into a thriving business.

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

The FreeMind Group
Owner-operator market development and PR, built on the street for the last 18 years.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com

Send us Fan Mail

Step back in time with us at Bube’s Brewery in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, one of the most historic breweries in America. In this first episode of the Ready To Drink Podcast, we sit down with Sam Allen, owner and storyteller, who shares the fascinating 19th-century origins of the brewery, its role during Prohibition, the evolution of craft beer, and the living history preserved within its walls.

Learn how taverns shaped America’s beer culture, why lagers were once seasonal, and how food became central to keeping this 1850s landmark alive.

Plus, discover chilling ghost stories from the old hotel and catacombs, where paranormal investigators still explore to this day.

From murder mystery dinners to Oktoberfest traditions, this episode blends history, beer, and unforgettable storytelling.

If you love craft beer, brewery history, haunted places, and unique dining experiences, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support the show!

The FreeMind Group
Owner-operator market development and PR, built on the street for the last 18 years.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Presented by The FreeMind Group - FMGStrategy.com