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Not finding work, the couple decided to have the work come to them! Moore and his wife soon <br />started writing a business plan. And with the help of Subak's nursing job funds keeping them <br />afloat, the brewpub was born. Oh ... and two kids were born around that time, too, just to keep <br />them on their toes. <br />Now, Barley John's serves customers uncompromisingly rich brews (some hit the 11-12 percent <br />alcohol mark!), along with fresh food featuring produce from their garden. <br />"If you're going to make beer from scratch, you gotta make the food from scratch too," Moore <br />said. <br />So, what was your initial vision for the business? <br />Laura: At that time (early stages), we didn't know if we were gonna do a brewpub or a brewery. <br />We actually started in our sunroom and it took us four years from conception to opening up <br />this place. <br />The brewery vs. brewpub was because we like food, and food is as important as the beer. So <br />that was a clear decision there. <br />John: The (liquor store) shelves were bursting (back in 1999) kinda like they are now to the <br />point that there was so much selection, so we were like, "if we do a brewpub, they'll be the <br />attraction of the food as well versus a brewery where we're fighting for shelf space with no <br />name recognition." <br />Laura: The success point of it all has to do with the people that come here and how we make <br />them feel. We hoped that this is a place where someone might, you know, 'pop the question', <br />come back here every year for their anniversary ... have special memories. And that's exactly <br />what happened. It's a place where if you stop coming, you're missed. <br />Why move to New Brighton? <br />Up here, you know, it's a little more laid back. People come up here with their dogs, the kids, <br />there's a recreational fire place ... It's less hipster I guess (smiles). <br />Were there any obstacles with the brewpub? <br />Not for the brewpub. In fact, the city of New Brighton was extremely helpful in the get -go. <br />They're still a good city to work with. <br />Tell me a little bit about your philosophy for your beers. <br />