Dearne Downes - Brewing with Balls: The Slab God Story

Dearne Downes - Brewing with Balls: The Slab God Story

From Everyone Has A Story (Inspiring Life Lessons from Entrepreneurs, Athletes, and Adventurers) by John Caruso

September 21, 2025 · 15 min

About this episode

Dearne Downes shares her journey of founding Slab God, a craft beer and cider brand, highlighting the blend of inspiration, determination, and unique branding.

What happens when a cheeky idea, a native Australian plant, and a whole lot of determination collide? On this episode of Everyone Has a Story , we dive into the fascinating journey of Dearne Downes, founder of Slab God — the Sunshine Coast-based craft beer and cider brand that’s brewing up a storm and standing out like… well, you know. From a spark of inspiration watching Bush Tucker Man , to trademarking “Slab God” & “Dog’s Balls” and navigating the competitive world of brewing and branding, Dearne shares how passion, persistence, and a dash of Aussie humour turned a wild idea into a growing business. We’ll uncover how Slab God went from seedlings to cider, how its bold branding and authentic storytelling are winning over consumers, and why this is just the beginning for a brand that’s as refreshing as its drinks. Whether you’re a beer lover, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about how a story like this unfolds, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

People in this episode

Guest: Dearne Downes

Topics covered

  • craft beer
  • entrepreneurship
  • branding
  • Australian culture

Keywords

  • Slab God
  • Dog’s Balls
  • Bush Tucker Man
  • Sunshine Coast
  • cider

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Slab God

Books & works: Everyone Has a Story, Bush Tucker Man, Slab God

Places: Sunshine Coast

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