New beer pays homage to well-known Saint John restaurateur
The sons of a renowned New Brunswick restaurateur, who helped to shape the uptown restaurant scene in Saint John into what it is today, have introduced a beer to honour his life and his legacy.
The Paul Grannan lager has been launched on what is the 20th year of his passing. His career in the industry started back in the 70s with the opening of the restaurant and bar Pier One.
"He was great at his ability to be a forward thinker," says his son, Jamie Grannan, "He could look forward and see what was trending. He would search outside of the cities and whatnot; he wouldn't be scared to take that risk."
Paul Grannan and his family would go on to open and operate at least a dozen establishments in Saint John – and his son says many of those who work in the industry, learned from and looked up to him.
"A number of the restaurants in Saint John now, the owners and operators used to work for dad, and still talk about him to this day and say that he's been a mentor for many who have gone on to do many great things in Saint John," says son Chris Grannan.
The brothers tapped into the expertise of brewer Matt MacDonald at Gahan House to create and brew the beer, which is described as a dry-hopped lager with citrus notes and floral aromas of honeydew melon.
"We decided on a dry-hopped lager because it toes the line between crafty and non-crafty so it's very approachable."
The beer has also been a way to bring Paul's memory to life – with the brothers getting to hear stories of their father and his impact.
"I walked into a pub into the other day, and as I walked in, people raised their glass and they were drinking the Paul Grannan beer, and it just brought chills -- goosebumps," says Jamie.
"That's been the most exciting part of about this whole process for me and my brother," says Chris, "that his legacy is being talked about more than it has in a long time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.