From software to suds, Stratford local launches beer shop

Jordan Haynes, owner of End of Times Bar and Beer Shop, in front of his shop on 51 York St.

Stratford is continuing to be a destination for beer lovers. End of Times Bar and Beer Shop, which opened on Oct. 8, offers rare Ontario brews not available in other retailers.

“I had the idea for the beer shop around two years ago and a lot of that was trying to raise money, just because everyone was telling me no until my friend and his dad said yes,” said Jordan Haynes, owner of End of Times Bar and Beer Shop. “It was pretty much me doing a Dragon’s Den pitch to everybody for the longest time.”

Jordan Haynes didn’t develop a taste for beer until he was 25, when he tried his first IPA. His interest grew, leading him to home brewing and eventually earning certification as a beer judge through the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). 

At 30, Haynes embarked on a beer pilgrimage across Europe, visiting Austria, Germany, Belgium and England. His decision to open End of Times Bar and Beer Shop was partly inspired by seeing respected breweries such as Half Hours on Earth, Shacklands, Riverroad, and Barncat Ales close, in part due to challenges selling through the LCBO. He has a particular appreciation for breweries that cultivate their own beverages. 

Some of the beer brands available in his shop are SKLEPNIK Pale Ale as well as Cactus Juice Prickly Pear Sour and Grand Valley Original Lager.

“I just want my customers to walk in knowing that they’re getting the best beer in Ontario that they definitely can’t get in other retailers,” said Haynes. “They will notice a noticeable difference in the quality of beer, the beer in Ontario is absolutely phenomenal.” 

The shop’s Al Fresco program will also allow customers to purchase a beer and enjoy it outside by the river across from its 51 York St. location. 

“I was a software developer, and I worked at IBM for four years, then a smaller tech company and I decided not to pursue software development anymore in a nine-to-five setting,” said Haynes. “The only challenge with starting this business up was money but with some help and advice I was able to secure starting this business.”

Haynes, born in Stratford, says that he’s looking forward to doing something that he enjoys for a living which is running this beer shop. 

The shop will be open from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. running Tuesday to Sunday. Pastries and other treats will be available in the shop provided by a local baker.