We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Richard Tevlin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Richard, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

My journey to launching Space Cadet Brewing Company started long before the brand ever came to life. I spent a decade honing my craft, working as a brewer for some of Philadelphia’s most well-known breweries, and dreaming of one day creating something of my own. But for years, it was just that—a dream. I was stuck in my head, waiting for the perfect moment to take the leap.

The turning point came after a weekend in the woods. In a moment of clarity—let’s call it an out-of-body experience—I saw myself as this “Space Cadet” character, lost in the overwhelming process of trying to open a brewery and stuck in my own way of thinking. That vision changed everything. It was as if I could finally see the brand in its entirety for the first time. When I got home, I grabbed a piece of paper and sketched out the vision I’d seen. That rough drawing became the first step toward making Space Cadet real.

From there, it was all systems go. I found an illustrator to bring the Space Cadet character to life, and as the artwork took shape, so did the brand. The idea of Space Cadet being a brewery that celebrated creativity and originality started to crystallize. Every beer would be brewed once and never repeated—each one representing a moment in my personal journey as a brewer and in the evolution of the company itself. The story of Space Cadet would unfold beer by beer, just as my own story unfolded in parallel.

Looking back, I realize I’d been preparing for this for years, but it took that one moment of clarity to finally take the first step. Or, as I like to think of it, “One giant leap for Space Cadet”. That leap set everything in motion, and from that point on, Space Cadet was no longer just an idea. It was a mission.

Richard, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Richie Tevlin, and I’m the founder of Space Cadet Brewing Company. I’ve been a professional brewer for over a decade, but my love for craft beer started even earlier, during my college years at Penn State University. What began as a curiosity quickly turned into a passion, and I decided to pursue brewing as a career. After graduating, I received a formal brewing education and dove headfirst into the craft beer industry, working at some of Philadelphia’s most iconic breweries, including Philadelphia Brewing Company and Victory Brewing Company. At Victory, I served as an innovation brewer and head brewer, writing recipes for some of their most popular beers like Brotherly Love and Motel Paloma.

Over the years, I developed a deep respect for the creativity and craftsmanship that define great beer. I was inspired by the pioneers of craft brewing—people who wrote their own rules and reshaped the industry. But as time went on, I noticed that much of the craft beer world seemed to be repeating itself, relying on trends and traditions instead of pushing boundaries. I wanted to create something different—a brewery that celebrated originality and told a story with every beer.

That vision became Space Cadet Brewing Company, a single-batch brewery where every beer is brewed once and never repeated. Each beer is an opportunity to explore something new, to create a fleeting moment of flavor and experience that won’t be replicated. I like to think of it as brewing with intention—every beer is a chapter in the story of Space Cadet, reflecting my journey as a brewer and the evolution of our brand.

At Space Cadet, we solve a problem I think the craft beer world faces: the loss of originality and connection. With each unique beer, we invite people to be part of an ongoing adventure—a celebration of creativity, experimentation, and storytelling. Whether it’s our first release, Splashtronaut, a pale ale that sold out in less than a day, or our more recent explorations like Flight School, a Dry Hopped New Zealand Pilsner, every beer is an invitation to experience something one-of-a-kind.

What I’m most proud of is the excitement and connection we’ve built with our audience in such a short time. Seeing people resonate with the beers and the story behind the brand is the most rewarding part of this journey. For those just getting to know us, I want you to know that Space Cadet Brewing Company is about more than just beer. It’s about challenging the status quo, celebrating creativity, and connecting with people who love the idea of exploration as much as I do.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

When I launched Space Cadet Brewing Company, I also decided to partner with BrewedAt a local beer marketing company and start a podcast, The BrewedAt Podcast. At the time, almost everyone around me told me it was too much to take on—starting a brewery and launching a podcast simultaneously while I was working two other jobs to pay my bills, sounded like biting off more than I could chew. But I felt strongly that it was the right move, and looking back, it’s clear that decision was one of the best I’ve made for building my brand and connecting with the Philadelphia brewing community.

The podcast has been instrumental in establishing Space Cadet’s presence. By releasing episodes every other week, I’ve been able to consistently put my face in front of the local brewing scene and position myself as part of the larger conversation around craft beer. It’s also given me the chance to sit down with other innovators in the industry—brewers, entrepreneurs, and creatives—who share their insights and ideas. These connections are invaluable, and the conversations have sparked collaborations and brought fresh perspectives that influence my work with Space Cadet.

Beyond that, the podcast allows me to support craft beer as a whole. It’s not just about promoting my brewery; it’s about celebrating the creativity, challenges, and breakthroughs happening across the industry. I get to amplify other voices, share their stories, and help foster the sense of community that makes craft beer so special.

The long-form nature of the podcast has also been a huge asset. It gives me a platform to dive deep into my ideas and vision for Space Cadet, explaining what sets us apart and what we’re trying to achieve. For listeners, it’s a way to connect with the brand on a more personal level and understand the “why” behind what we do.

Launching the podcast may have seemed like a bold move at the time, but it’s turned out to be one of the most effective ways to build Space Cadet’s customer base, grow our reach, and cement our place in the Philadelphia beer community. It’s a reminder that sometimes the risks you’re most hesitant to take can lead to the biggest rewards.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I manufacture my products, but not in the traditional sense. Brewing equipment is incredibly expensive, and as much as I would have loved to dive straight into producing my beer on my own equipment, I had to take a different approach to make Space Cadet Brewing Company a reality.

Instead of starting with my own production facility, I decided to partner with local breweries in the Philadelphia area that were already making exceptional beer but had extra production capacity. This strategy, known as contract brewing, allowed me to start brewing and selling my beers without the massive upfront investment that owning my own equipment would require. It was the perfect way to get Space Cadet off the ground while staying focused on creating high-quality, unique beers.

Finding the right partner was crucial. I wanted to work with a brewery that not only had the capacity but also shared my commitment to quality and creativity. I ultimately partnered with Workhorse Brewing in King of Prussia, a facility that consistently produces outstanding beer and has the resources and expertise to bring my recipes to life.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that manufacturing doesn’t have to follow a traditional path. By leveraging existing resources, I was able to start with far less capital than I would have needed to set up my own production brewery. This approach has also allowed me to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of the business, rather than getting bogged down in the logistics of running a production facility.

Contract brewing has been a fantastic stepping stone, allowing me to build the Space Cadet brand and prove the concept without taking on the immense financial and operational burden of owning equipment. Eventually, I do plan to open my own production space to expand what we’re able to offer, but for now, this model has been instrumental in getting the business off the ground and into the hands of craft beer lovers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://spacecadetbeer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacecadetbeer/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richie-tevlin-609b2ba1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thebrewedatpodcast/videos
• Other: The BrewedAt podcast Instagram:
  https://www.instagram.com/thebrewedatpodcast/

Image Credits

Monica Godefroy