Saint John — A Port City couple has decided to open a brewery and taproom that specifically caters to parents with kids.
Daycare Brewing, the brainchild of Ellen Norton and Remy Ashfield — who have three young children themselves — will open this fall in the uptown area.
“Breweries have become daycares anyway — we’re just making it official,” said Norton. “Our bartenders will have all the appropriate childcare certifications and be able to entertain your children for you while you enjoy a pint or five. Or you can just let them run around and play, but instead of that behaviour being frowned upon, like in most breweries, it’ll be encouraged!”
Ashfield said that older kids will be able to actively take part in the brewing process, to gain skills and knowledge on malting, mashing, lautering, boiling and hopping, as well as fermenting. They’ll also learn effective cleaning and sanitizing techniques, while their parents will take care of tasting and quality assurance.
Babies and toddlers will have a play area featuring TVs showing Ms. Rachel or Bluey or Paw Patrol.
“You won’t need to set your little kids up with their iPad or stuff them with Goldfish to keep them quiet and content while you try the latest helles or DDH IPA,” explained Ashfield. “We’ll have milk on tap and kid-friendly snacks on sale, diapers and wipes, and tons of toys. We’re even setting up a nap area around the canning line, and a playground outside next to the grain silo.”
Local parents can’t wait for the brewery to open its doors.
“Anyone with little kids knows there’s absolutely nothing to do with them most weekends — you can only go to the park so many times before you want to shove your head into a meat grinder,” said Andrew Smith, father of two preschoolers. “And who can afford a babysitter, or even find one you trust?
“So yeah, a brewery where I don’t have to feel kind of ashamed to bring them in while I drink? It’s going to be amazing!”
Childless beer fans are also excited to reclaim spaces that they believe should be for adults only.
“Every time I go out for a beer these days, I have to hear screaming kids, or some little brat is running around while their parents ignore them. I’m sick of it!” said Brianne Yeomans, sitting on the patio at Saint John Ale House.
“I mean, look at this one!” At that moment a small girl approached Yeomans’s table and knocked her beer over into her nachos, then started picking her nose. “Get these people over to Daycare Brewing, stat!”