NB365: Corey Richard Of Beer Daddy BBQ In Hampton
This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today, we hear from Corey Richard of Beer Daddy BBQ in Hampton.
I’ve had a passion for BBQ for as long as I can remember. In 2018 I convinced a friend to enter a local BBQ competition and we actually did pretty good for first-timers.
I instantly got the bug and converted a trailer I had, including having “Betty,” my stick burner smoker custom built.
After this, I started being asked if I could cook at friends and family’s private functions, and the more I would go and cook for people the more people would contact me. At this point, I was starting to consider seeing if I could start up a side business in BBQ while still working a full-time career.
In January of 2021, I, unfortunately, lost my career of 16+ years. Many people reached out and suggested I start cooking full time, one of which was my brother-in-law (Gridiron Brewing). He was going to be opening a taproom and loved the idea of having BBQ available at his place of business. To be honest BBQ and Beer are meant to be enjoyed together. A quick conversation with me and more hurdles than an Olympic athlete has jumped over and we are now open for business and serving our community and surrounding areas.
Supporting local is important in many ways. It helps small businesses grow so they can not only make a living and provide for their families but also be able to give back to the community that has been there for them. I think collaborations are important too when 2 or more local businesses get together and develop a product that they made together. It’s good for everybody. For example, our house BBQ sauce is called Paddler’s Pineapple and is made using Gridiron Brewing Paddlers Pale Ale Beer.
Local also plays a role from business to business. I currently am using Spud’s and Things freshest baked buns for our sandwich combos, as mentioned I use Gridiron Brewing’s beer in my signature BBQ sauce and now I am looking for a sausage maker who would be interested in making sausages with me as a product we could both sell in our facilities.
When we help each other, we are stronger just by being together.
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