When you’ve worked with award-winning brands in the world of beer and whisky delivering digital communication and paid media strategies, you’re likely to know a thing or two about the world of marketing.

And today’s guest, has done just that.

Looking back at the last 12 months, Scottish brewery Vault City can toast another incredible year. They released 90 beers in total—up from 84 in 2023. This included 76 sours, 11 imperial stouts, two barley wines, and a Radler. 

And after four years of brewing in Portobello, in 2025 they are moving to their new forever home in the months ahead.

Helping spread the good word of all things Vault City is Richard Wardrop, a marketing manager with more than a decade’s experience on both agency side and in-house.

In his career to-date he has received recognition for ‘Best Use of Social’ and ‘Best Low Budget Campaign’ at The Herald Digital Awards and UK Social Media Communications Awards.

Based in Scotland, he is currently part of the team at Vault City Brewing, the UK’s largest sour beer producer.

Here he is responsible for all elements of brand, NPD, marketing and comms. And while he is now part of the beer world, his career background and experiences means much of his expertise is transferable.

In this episode, recorded at our Lectures event in Edinburgh, Richard explains how brands can make an impact without a big budget, the free insights available to them, the importance of nurturing your community and why you should set goals, be realistic and do less but better.