It’s not every day you hear someone say, “I bought a brewery while getting my nails done.” But that’s exactly how Heidi Crockett—founder, brewer, and all-around powerhouse behind Colab Brewing—describes the beginning of her journey.
It was 2020, fresh out of the first lockdown. She was with her 4-year-old daughter enjoying a bit of self-care when she spotted a small brewery for sale. The timing? Wild. The decision? Instant. The logic? “If I’m going to buy a business, why not one that guarantees my husband will want to help?”
And just like that, Colab Brewing was born.
A Brewery Built in a Shed (and with Serious Skills)
Heidi wasn’t exactly flying blind. With a background in Analytical Chemistry and a few solid years of homebrewing under her belt, she had the chops. Her husband Martyn brought the tech side, being a wizard with electrical automation. Together, they turned a humble 9m x 6m shed in Warkworth into a bonafide brewery.
They started small: a 3 x 100L kit, brewing what they could. Fast-forward two years and they’re now working with a full 6 x 1000L setup. All that, from a business that began with a manicure and a gut feeling.
Beer That Speaks to Everyone
Ask Heidi about their brewing philosophy and you won’t get jargon. You’ll get heart.
“Great beer should be for everyone—not just the hop heads,” she says. That’s why Colab focuses on approachable brews: Kiwi Draught, Lager, Pilsner. Beers for the everyday drinker, the curious newbie, and the old-school classic fan alike.
And then there’s Say it with Beers—their custom label arm that lets you personalise beer cans for birthdays, weddings, breakups, inside jokes… anything, really. It’s your moment, your message, your beer.
Brewing in a Beer Bro Culture
Being a woman in the brewing world isn’t always a picnic. Coming from a corporate background in IT, Heidi thought she was ready for anything. Spoiler: the beer world threw her some curveballs.
She handles the brewing, the sales, the marketing, everything. But somehow, people still assume it’s her husband calling the shots.
A few real examples:
- She organises and pays the insurance. The assessors? They only want to speak to him.
- After several email exchanges with Heidi, companies suddenly switch and start addressing her husband.
- The cherry on top? An HR company once called her phone and asked for him—because they “needed to speak to the person who manages the people.”
She laughs about it now, but it highlights a bigger issue. “It’s not just a beer industry thing,” she says. “It’s a small business thing. The assumptions come from men and women.”
But Heidi’s not here to shrink herself. She’s here to shake things up.
A Better Beer World—One Brew at a Time
What does the future look like for Colab and the industry? More visibility. More inclusion. And a hell of a lot fewer assumptions.
“Beer isn’t just for bearded dudes in flannel—it’s for everyone. And so is brewing,” says Heidi.
She’s passionate about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. About stopping the automatic defer-to-the-dude reflex. And about making sure women in beer aren’t just present—they’re seen, heard, and recognised.
What’s Brewing Next?
At Colab, things never really slow down. Next up: their seasonal Red IPA, already a trophy-winner, is getting another glow-up. And for summer? Heidi’s working on something just for the girls. Details are still under wraps, but we’re told it’s going to be delicious.
Pair This Beer with… Literally Anything Amazing
The March Judges’ Box features Colab’s Speak Easy XPA—a tropical, citrusy, stone fruit delight that’s just begging for a good food pairing.
Heidi’s top picks?
- Slow-cooked pork belly on creamy potato gratin with a bright salad.
- Seafood, especially grilled prawns, scallops, or fresh ceviche.
It’s light, juicy, and sessionable—but don’t mistake it for simple. This XPA is ready to party.
Show Colab some love!
🍺 Instagram: @colabbrewing
🍺 Website: colabbrewing.co.nz
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This interview first appeared in our March Judges’ Club newsletter—one of the many perks of being a Craft Box Direct subscriber. Join the club, get the beers, and hear straight from the brewers who make them.
Cheers to good beer and even better people 🍻