Abe Erb pours a pint of hometown history

From left: Tony Theodosiou, Rob Theodosiou and Geoff Parent.

By Jonathan Zettel

WATERLOO, ON—The spirit of Abraham Erb, who is often considered to be the founder of Waterloo, ON, is being invoked with the opening of a new brewpub.

The brewpub, dubbed Abe Erb, opened in early November in uptown Waterloo, ON, and incorporates much of the area’s rich history.

“We aren’t a destination. We don’t want to be a destination,” co-owner Rob Theodosiou told ORN. “We want to be a landmark.”

Erb (1770 – 1830) was a Mennonite settler from Pennsylvania who developed the area and facilitated immigration.

On a wall adjacent to the bar, a sign reads: “ABE ERB. Beer is his middle name. Raise a glass to putting your stake down.”

Theodosiou said he got the go ahead to use the name from Jim Erb, the oldest living survivor in the family.

Aside from invoking the spirit of the city’s founder, the 120-seat establishment is full of historical photos and area artifacts.

Hanging on the façade of the building, a large 1855 map of Waterloo clad in copper stands behind the brewpub’s name. According to Theodosiou, the sign took two rounds of appeals before being approved by the city due to a rule that signage can only take up 40 per cent of the front of the building.

Nine barrels were salvaged from a pyramid that stood for a long time outside Seagram’s Museum in Waterloo, and turned into light fixtures above the front door.

Infinity mirrors create an illusion of a never-ending train track that can be seen when entering the 2,700-square-foot space.

The bar top is made from a 100-year-old Douglas fir plank with blackened edges that was salvaged from the fire that destroyed the main building of nearby St. Jacob’s Market in September 2013. Planks from floorboards and benches of the Stratford Fairgrounds have been used as refurbished tabletops. Tap handles are made from old hand tools and farm implements.
Theodosiou refers to the general theme of the restaurant as “industrial boutique”.

Across the middle of the space, four brew tanks hang from the “beer bridge” overlooking the bar. Theodosiou said every brewmaster he spoke to advised him not to suspend the equipment because it would complicate brewing and cleaning but liked how unique it would be. Diners can pull up to one of 26 seats at a table suspended from the beer bridge.

Theodosiou said Abe Erb will brew four beers: 1857 Kölsch; Buggywhip I.P.A.; Das Spritzhaus Hefeweizen; and Alterior Motive, a 5.1 per cent ABV altbier. Eight taps are dedicated to other Ontario craft beers.

From the bridge above, a steel pipe allows bartenders to serve beer directly from the brewery’s bright tank without being kegged. “It’s the freshest beer you can possibly get,” said Theodosiou.

Typical mixed drinks such as rye and cola or vodka and cranberry juice will not be served, opting to focus on the hand-crafted cocktail list and craft beer, he said. Shooters, bottles and pitchers also did not make the drinks menu.

Abe Erb hosts live music, with a portable stage for performances.

Geoff Parent heads up the kitchen team, which offers a full menu and brunch on weekends. “We’re creating pub food, but with a twist,” Parent said.
The kitchen has no freezers and holds a smoker. The menu will change quarterly and he hopes to incorporate more beer ingredients into new menu items.

At the back of the brewpub, there is a retail space selling growlers, branded cups and T-shirts. Growlers are topped off with CO2 to help keep the beer fresh.

Theodosiou and his brother, co-owner Tony Theodosiou, are already thinking about opening another space but there are no firm plans as of yet. Any future projects will be branded based on a historical and area-specific event or person, he said.

15 King St. S. Uptown Waterloo, ON. (519)-886-4518, @abe_erb.