Keshia Cleaver is the definition of a Cool Mom. She lives in East Van, has purple hair and hosts a weekly podcast about craft beer. She also posts a bi-monthly, “Babes in Breweries with Babies” review on Instagram where she takes her toddler to a brewery and shares her experience through the parenting lens.
Keshia started her podcast, East Van Beer Wife, last August. After leaving her brewery job months earlier, she was missing the scene and keen to share her experience as the wife of a Craft Brewer. She also saw an opportunity to highlight and celebrate some of the empowering female voices in Vancouver’s craft beer industry. What began as a local venture is now getting international attention from listeners and interview requests!
“Women and Moms are essential to the craft beer industry because we’re badass,” explains Keshia.
Women have to work really hard in this industry to prove themselves,˜ and Moms are comfortable with long hours, hard work and are expert multi-taskers.
Keshia knows how important it is to find a craft beer you enjoy, but above that she understands how important it is to find breweries where families feel welcome and can relax with and enjoy an afternoon out. Here are her tips for what to drink and where to drink it, toddlers in tow!
What craft beer to drink
- Craft beer is not about binge drinking. It’s about enjoying the craft and the love that goes into each brew. If you’re new to craft beer start your journey with Sours, Saisons or a crisp clean Lager. If you’re not a beer fan (yet) try a Radler (AKA juicy beer).
- Beer marketing can often be sexist but, in reality, women can drink anything. We definitely shouldn’t feel restricted to Mom-juice style beers. Many Moms enjoy a high percentage stout!
- My current favourite brews are Raspberry Changeling from Brassneck and Blueberry Blast Kettle Sour from Dead Frog.
Where to drink your craft beer with kids
Brewhall
Weekdays at Brewhall are perfect for Moms and littler ones. Large tables and bench seating makes it easy to spread out. They have 8 taps pouring BREWHALL Beer Co. directly from brewery tanks, change tables and lots of space for stroller.
>> brewhall.com
R & B Brewing Pizza & Ale House
Comfy seating, finger foods and some classic toys available for play make this a great space to entertain the little ones. There are high quality, hand-crafted ales and lagers on tap as well as amazing pizzas. All bathrooms have change tables.
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A wide array of beer options with low to high alcohol content and a variety of sizes to choose from, this is a great stop on a sunny day. The outside beer garden is spacious and offers room to toddle and explore.
Follow @EastVanBeerWife on Instagram as Keshia explores breweries around the City in search of accessibility for strollers, kid friendly seating, kid friendly food options, kid friendly staff, bathrooms and overall family-friendly atmospheres. Learn more about female and minority leaders in craft beer on her podcast East Van Beer Wife, available wherever you listen.
