From Homebrew to Legacy: Brewing Success one Beer at a time with Hamish Coates
In this episode of Owners Outlook, join host Shaun Lord as he sits down with Hamish Coates, co-founder of Rocky Ridge Brewing Co., for a deep and honest conversation about growth, resilience, leadership, and what it really means to build something with purpose.
From humble beginnings as a uni student experimenting with homebrew to leading one of Australia’s most innovative and environmentally-driven breweries, Hamish’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and a willingness to learn the hard lessons along the way.
Here’s what you can expect from this episode:
Origins & Early Vision
How a broke uni student with a love for flavour discovered the world of craft beer
The leap of faith that took Hamish from landscaping to brewing
Building a business alongside his father on their 100-year-old family farm
Growing Pains & Hard Lessons
The near-catastrophic ingredient fault that sent 100,000 litres of beer into the market
The stress, transparency, and leadership lessons that emerged from a crisis
Rebuilding systems—again and again—as Rocky Ridge scaled from 300,000 to over 2.2 million litres of beer per year
Leadership, Mindset & Personal Growth
What Hamish wishes he’d told his younger self
How slowing down, reflection, and a simple one-hour morning walk became his most powerful habit
The shift from being reactive to becoming a calm, self-aware leader
How transparency, communication and “owning your mistakes” shaped Rocky Ridge’s culture
Sustainability & Vision
Why Rocky Ridge runs 100% off-grid
Regenerative farming, low-emission malt, and drastically reducing water and CO₂ usage
The mission to preserve the family farm and create beer that’s better for the planet—without compromising flavour
Hospitality, Community & Values
Expanding into venues and creating spaces that feel like “your mate’s place”
Staying true to what matters—even when it’s not the popular option
Building a team that leads with heart, humility, and connection
Closing Reflections
What owning success means to Hamish
Why slowing down, breathing out, and helping others is his personal definition of success
How staying grounded keeps him aligned with the values that built Rocky Ridge in the first place