Two Water Brewing

Myka Barnes is the first to admit she really didn’t know what she was getting into when she and two silent partners launched Two Water Brewing Co. in Corunna. “We had the space in Corunna and we were using it for something else,” Myka, 24, says. “We decided since we had the space, Corunna really needed something, so because we love going to breweries and my parents were actually brewing beer in their basement, we just said let’s do it. My silent partners approached me and asked me if I would like to run the business and here we are.”

Today, Myka, who is from Sarnia, is the taproom manager and part owner of Two Water Brewing Co. While being a manager and part owner is new to Myka, the industry is not. She had worked for about 10 years as a server, dishwasher and hostess prior to this venture. Much to her surprise, the business has been a rousing success. “It has been absolutely amazing. The amount of success we had in our first year of operation was astonishing. I couldn’t believe it. The amount of support from the community is absolutely unreal. I could never have asked for better.”

One of the keys to the success of the bar is the atmosphere. “Everyone comes in and knows everybody else. Someone said to me, ‘This is such a huggy bar,’ because everybody hugs each other all the time. It’s truly like a big family," explains Myka Barnes. Two Waters Brewing Co is known for it's great music, Toronto Maple Leafs viewing parties, and Trivia Tuesdays. "Honestly, we are booked out for trivia nights a couple of months ahead of time.”

Of course, there is also the craft beer that draws people in. Two Water employs two master brewers; Mathew Berdan and Corey Sullivan and they make a variety of craft beers — pretty much something for everyone. “Obviously the big goal was for the business to be successful,” Myka says, “but I also wanted it to be a place where people could come and enjoy the atmosphere and the people around them and enjoy the beer. One of the big goals was to bring craft beer drinkers and regular beer drinkers together.”

An interesting aspect of Two Water Brewing Co. is the fact all the beers are named after things in Corunna. The top seller, Hill Street, is named after the main street in Corunna. The Eye Opener is named after an optician and eyeglasses business that has been around for about 40 years. CAP Diamond stands for Corunna Athletic Park. “People love the local angle. We have a beer called Almost The Capital because Corunna was almost named the capital of Ontario at one time.”

Running the business has been life-altering for Myka. “Being 24, I don’t really live the lifestyle that a normal 24-year-old lives. I think the hardest part for me was accepting that. The first few months were the longest days ever! But I focused on staying positive and today I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.”