BriannaJaro
LITTLE
TAP
HOUSE
drink fresh, drink local, eat well
Karen Watterson
Maine Magazine
April, 2017
Lee Goyette, Tom Johnston, Brianna Jaro
"The rise of artisanal beer in Maine has been a gift to us all. It’s helped the economy, provided jobs, and put Maine on the map as a must-sip destination for beer lovers. Whether Little Tap House owners Lee Goyette and her daughter Brianna Jaro had the foresight to take advantage of the trend, or if their timing was merely serendipitous, Little Tap House now finds itself firmly at the center of craft beer brewing in Maine. The gastropub doesn’t make its own beer, but offers an ever-changing selection of the best brews from around the state and a few from beyond. Goyette and Jaro have created relationships and events that benefit both the breweries and the community, bringing them together for purposes that are social, educational, and just plain fun."
BYOB
// BRING YOUR OWN BABY
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news channel feature
Shannon Bryan
Maine Today
February, 2015
New Parents Enjoying Happy Hour at BYOB
"Life changes when you have a baby. Most of your time is now spent tending to this tiny, wondrous new human and so a whole heck of a lot less of your time is spent sleeping, lingering in the shower, socializing or popping into the local pub for a happy hour beer.
But there’s this incredible Little You in your life now – and he or she is certainly worth saying goodbye to happy hour (at least for a few months. Or years). Right?
Actually, the folks at Little Tap House think you shouldn’t have to choose. So they launched BYOB – that’s Bring Your Own Baby – a few months back, inviting new parents to stop into the restaurant/pub for a “new parent and baby mingle.”
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New parents can come with with baby in tow, socialize, have a beer, meet other new parents and not have to worry about the stink eye coming from every table within a 15-foot radius (because that baby’s going to start crying any minute and what are those parents thinking bringing a baby into a bar anyway?)
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The event was created by Brianna Jaro, co-owner and brand manager at Little Tap House. She got the idea after talking to a friend and new mom about local social groups for parents. “And with that, the idea of a special once-a-month ‘new parent’ happy hour just clicked,” Jaro wrote in an email.
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“I saw these first-time families individually coming through the door (of Little Tap House),” she said. “Though they seemed determined to get out of the house and have a good time, there always seemed to be an ounce of anxiety, being out with baby.”
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So far, said Jaro, the events have been well-received, with families showing up to pose with Santa and play with mustaches in a baby photo booth. Jaro credits the early success to Portland’s progressiveness. “Mainers on the whole tend to be fairly communal and accepting,” she said."
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BYOB
// BRING YOUR OWN BABY
NEWS FEATURE
Rob Nesbitt
News Channel 6
January, 2017
207 Feature at Little Tap House
"PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Once a month baby bottles and diaper bags take over Little Tap House in Portland for the gastropub's Bring Your Own Baby event. BYOB commonly implies bring your own booze. One day a month at Little Tap House in Portland. It means something else.
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Brianna Jaro started the bring your own baby (BYOB) event at her gastropub to help out a friend who became a new mom after moving to the Portland area. More than a year in, the monthly gathering attracted as many as 100 babies during the two hours its held. Michelle Kaufman saw it as an opportunity to get out of the house with her two-month-old daughter Naomi."
FARM
TO
TABLE
RESTAURANT HIGHLIGHT
Karen Watterson
Maine Magazine
October, 2015
Kelli Thompson & Brianna Jaro
"Jaro curates the beer list, which is Maine-centric, changes often, and stands by the motto, “Drink fresh, drink local.” You can order beer flights to taste and compare four varieties at a time. Happy hour goes by the name of Bar & Barrel and features a different beer each weekday from 4 to 7 p.m., which is paired with a snack from the kitchen (all for $5). The occasional Tap Takeover events highlight a special release from a local brewery, often with the brewer on hand. But it’s not all beer at Little Tap House. Day manager Emily Maro, has crafted a sweet-and-spicy harvest sangria of red wine, spiced rum, orange, and cinnamon. It’s a delightful sip of fall flavors, as is the maple old-fashioned.
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Jaro brings a young vibrancy to Little Tap House. She’s full of ideas for events and ways to constantly improve the restaurant. With her energetic staff, she makes both regulars and first-time visitors feel at home. Little Tap House’s location, just a block off Congress Street, around the corner from both the Portland Museum of Art and the State Theatre, invites those looking for something special just a little off the beaten path. West Enders appreciate the sense of community that Jaro fosters here. In the summer, sidewalk tables fill up fast with patrons often bringing their dogs along. In the snowy heart of winter, Little Tap House is a neighborhood gathering spot, perfect for watching the storm, mingling with old and new friends and enjoying the bountiful food."