ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Craft brew enthusiasts soon won’t have to leave St. John’s to sip Dildo Brewing Co.’s products or buy their crazy popular T-Shirts.
The brewery is working on a Water Street location that will put it right in the hub of other capital city brew pubs, including Yellow Belly and Bannerman Brewing.
Dildo Brewing Co. co-owner Angela Reid said it’s a manageable step toward expansion and making the product more accessible.
“Keep in mind we don’t have a year under our belt yet,” Reid said.
Dildo Brewing Co. hopes to have its Water Street location — which will sell its merchandizing products, as well as cans of beer and refill Growlers — open in a couple of weeks, pending final approvals and licences. It won’t have a seating area.
The space — 332 Water St., between The Adelaide Oyster House and William L. Chafe & Sons Ltd. — is leased.
Renovations are being done to give the interior the look and feel of the brewery in Dildo.
Reid noted that many St. John’s craft beer enthusiasts take short excursions around the bay to visit the brewery.
“We’ve met some awesome people from the Avalon and have been listening to the feedback,” she said.
“We love it when people come around the bay to see us.”
But the common question is where people can buy the product in St. John’s.
A Water Street location would also put the brewery right in the middle of the busy urban tourist destination.
Dildo Brewing Co. doesn’t have the ability yet to regularly stock the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corp. and is going full capacity just to keep up with its own demand.
Having a St. John’s presence is a good way to get the product out there without taking the risk of taking on demand it can’t supply.
That’s not to say Reid is ruling out more expansion in future if all goes well.
Reid said the palate for beer has changed drastically in Newfoundland and Labrador in the last five years and there’s still room to have many more craft breweries in the province.
Having different breweries in the same area is also somewhat of an advantage when it comes to people who plan trips or incorporate their craft beer enthusiasm into a vacation.
And so, lots of options in St. John’s can only work to satisfy the thirst of those enthusiasts, Reid said.
The popular Dildo Brewing Co. T-shifts, meanwhile, have sold by the thousands, and the posting of pictures of people wearing the shirts in far-flung destinations has become a thing on Dildo Brewing Co.’s Facebook page.
“It’s gone crazy with people all over the world,” Reid said.
Rocket going for third location
Speaking of Water Street news, Rocket Bakery is about to open its third location — at 46C Bannister St., Mount Pearl. Last Fall, Rocket opened Baby Rocket in Churchill Square in St. John’s east end.
Co-owner Kelly Mansell said Rocket just signed a lease for Mount Pearl and is trying to offset a downturn from the big dig on Water Street, the multi-year project to upgrade the water and sewer infrastructure.
Baby Rocket is helping the mother ship downtown — and it’s hoped Mount Pearl will also help. It will stay open after the big dig is done — Mount Pearl council has been receptive to the new location, Mansell said.
“We’re entrepreneurs, so we have to be nimble,” Mansell said.
Manufacturing and catering production continue downtown, as does the full retail and seating there.
She credited corporations with responding to Rocket’s call out for patronage during the trying construction times downtown, and that has helped, but they’re still down more than 30 per cent. They need to get the customer numbers up to keep on top of overheard and maintain the business, Mansell said.
“We know this will pass. We only have a few more weeks to go. … People are coming out. Tourists are finding us. … One more month. If we can get through this month, everything will be good,” Mansell said.
Landwash popping up at Rocket
Speaking of both beer and Rocket, Landwash Brewery in Mount Pearl and Rocket are getting together for a popup in Rocket’s orbit room on Water Street.
The event will take place June 14 from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Landwash, said Mansell and sales market associate Kayla Walters, who used to be with St. John’s Beer Tours, will bring six beers and a special brew. Rocket has also got a special grilled cheese and some pub snacks on the menu for the night.
Rocket food will be available during the event, and kids are welcome until 8:30 p.m.
Dave Rowe and Matthew Hornell — the Grey Sky Boys — will perform bluegrass and old country tunes.
It’s a first-time beer pop up and originated out of Walters’ friendship with Landwash’s owners, as well as to celebrate Rocket’s plan to locate in Mount Pearl.
It gives people in St. John’s a chance to try Landwash without the pricey round-trip cab ride to Mount Pearl.
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