Heaney Brewery

Heaney Brewery is a family-run brewery built on The Wood, Suzanne McCay’s family farm in Bellaghy. Founded by Suzanne and Mal, it brings new life to land held by the Heaney family for generations, pairing the rhythm of brewing with a deep sense of place. Its identity is shaped by honest work, patience and the belief that what is worthwhile rarely comes easily. Every beer sits within that wider story: craft, family and legacy carried forward through the brewery they have built.

The challenge was capturing a working brew as it unfolded, staying close to the process without over-directing or interrupting it. The film needed to feel raw and documentary-led, finding meaning in the physical work, repetition and small decisions behind every beer rather than staging moments for the camera. At the same time, the footage and interviews needed a strong narrative thread, connecting the brewery, the farm and the people behind both into more than a simple record of production.

We worked closely with Mark from Thought Collective to shape questions that drew out Mal and Suzanne’s story in their own words. Observational filming and photography during a live brew gave us raw process, sound and detail. In the edit, “Worthwhile” became the central thread, linking the care invested in each beer with the commitment behind the brewery. The brand film expanded into ten social edits, while photography placed the cans and products across The Wood and its surrounding landscape, creating real product imagery rooted in place.