Interview with Grant Babb, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: Through years of experience within the industry supplying chemicals and equipment, the desire to own and manage a brewery came to fruition. With plentiful support and tutelage by other breweries and industry individuals along with a great ownership group, we finally opened our doors with a great reception from the local community and beer lovers alike.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Our No. 1 goal is and always will be to produce great quality brews with a fun atmosphere. We are not brewers in the industry to make a buck, but to create a tap room that brings everyone together to share ideas and meet your neighbors. Starting up in a newly revitalizing area allows our patrons to walk in to a relaxing and entertaining tap room to catch up with friends while meeting new ones. We want to help people put the word “neighbor” back in to neighborhoods.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: The interaction with our patrons and giving them an opportunity for stress release from the daily grind. Humans are meant to work to live, not live to work. We feel we have created a place to allow them to unwind and talk about the good and bad about their everyday life and what excites and motivates them toward the future.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Making sure we are doing everything possible to take care of our patrons. With a diverse community, we strive to satisfy everyone’s desires by offering a plethora of beer options while providing a fun and entertaining tap room. We want the experience of consuming our brews to be just a great as the beers themselves.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Our mascot, Roger, was the first elephant ever used by Barnum (from Barnum and Bailey’s Circus), and Barnum would keep him at Sloan’s Lake during the winters while not touring, providing daily entertainment to the surrounding community. This is why we incorporated Roger into our mantra: Life is about enjoying the journey, not always the destination. Hop on!
Profile
Business: Joyride Brewing Co.
Address: 2501 Sheridan Blvd., Edgewater
Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Founded: 2014
Contact: 720-432-7560, joyridebrewing.com
Employees: 15
