Strategic Expansions and Outlasting Tourist Season with Brad Fitzgerald of Swellsa Brewing
Join us at CBC 2026 for our free Brewery Profit Workshop on Monday, April 20th. Learn more and grab a spot at sbstandard.com/cbcprofit — In this episode we sit down with Brad Fitzgerald of Swellsa Brewing about building a modern craft staple in the heart of Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina. From navigating the unique challenges of the Outer Banks to winning a World Beer Cup gold medal, Swellsa has been creating a community hub that thrives in a "feast or famine" tourist economy. Some highlights include: * Why skipping a kitchen to maintain local restaurant partnerships could be a move for breweries who are hesitant to have their own in-house food program * How Swellsa scales for summers that jump from a local annual population of 7k to over 40k * What skipping a traditional distribution strategy looks like when scaling in 2026 (and what to do instead) From navigating coastal logistics to launching a hemp-derived beverage brand, Brad’s "move fast" mentality is a masterclass in modern brewery scaling. There is a lot packed into this episode for owners looking to grow their business in 2026.
The True Craft Podcast · Chris Farmand, Brad Fitzgerald
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Show Notes
Join us at CBC 2026 for our free Brewery Profit Workshop on Monday, April 20th. Learn more and grab a spot at sbstandard.com/cbcprofit
—
In this episode we sit down with Brad Fitzgerald of Swellsa Brewing about building a modern craft staple in the heart of Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina. From navigating the unique challenges of the Outer Banks to winning a World Beer Cup gold medal, Swellsa has been creating a community hub that thrives in a "feast or famine" tourist economy.
Some highlights include:
- Why skipping a kitchen to maintain local restaurant partnerships could be a move for breweries who are hesitant to have their own in-house food program
- How Swellsa scales for summers that jump from a local annual population of 7k to over 40k
- What skipping a traditional distribution strategy looks like when scaling in 2026 (and what to do instead)
From navigating coastal logistics to launching a hemp-derived beverage brand, Brad’s "move fast" mentality is a masterclass in modern brewery scaling. There is a lot packed into this episode for owners looking to grow their business in 2026.
Follow Swellsa and Duck Dive Bar on Instagram: @swellsa_brewing or @duckdivebar
Visit their website: https://www.swellsabrewing.com