Jessica Saulnier Fredericton, New Brunswick, News 0

Stephen Dixon, co-owner of Grimross, said the Oromocto location is modelled after the new back patio shipping container bar at the Fredericton location, on Bishop Drive. The Oromocto beer garden opened over the July 1 long weekend at Hazen Park.

“We were actually a little bit surprised at how busy we were. … There’s a need for it and people were happy,” Stephen said.

Rhys Dixon, the manager of the Grimross Fredericton back patio and Oromocto beer garden, said the local craft brewery wanted to bring something to Oromocto that let people sit down and have a drink.

She said during their first weekend open, customers were asking the staff if they were only set up for the weekend or for the whole summer.

“I was just so excited to be able to tell them that we were there for the whole summer and … be excited with them,” said Rhys.

Last summer, the Grimross owners came up with the idea to create a shipping container that featured a bar for their Fredericton back patio.

The idea for expanding came when Stephen was thinking of other business opportunities for the Fredericton-adjacent town and thought the Grimross container bar would work well in Oromocto.

“The community has been supporting us for a long time, ever since we opened up here on Bishop Drive. A lot of people would come from Oromocto to [Fredericton] and we thought, ‘well, why don’t we go to them?’,” said Stephen.

Since this is the first summer set up in Oromocto, Rhys said they are adapting the location as they go. She said the brewing company wants to listen to its customers on what they want for the Oromocto location.

“Hopefully, over the years, we’ll be able to provide a better space every year,” she said.

The container features eight taps to serve customers a variety of beer, wine, and cider from Wednesday to Sunday, weather permitting. The location will be open until the end of summer.

Stephen said there has been a good response to the Oromocto beer garden so far.

“For me, craft beer has always been about community and local tourism and I think it’s just another way of getting closer to our customers … and being a part of their community and their lives,” said Stephen.

Jessica Saulnier is an intern with Huddle in Fredericton. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected]

New Brunswick, News, Saint John

Fredericton, Halifax, Moncton, New Brunswick, News, Nova Scotia, Saint John

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