‘Bringing People Together Again' at the Throwback Brewery
‘Throwback Brewery’ opened in July 2011 in a setting much different than it is today. Back then owners Annette Lee and Nicole Carrier pursued their vision of starting a small brewery operation in a small New Hampshire warehouse that would brew great beer and bring people together. Four short years later, armed with education, special recipes, and with their techniques perfected Nicole and Annette decided to expand. With the help of Enterprise Bank they purchased, renovated, and repurposed a 5,000 square-foot 1860s sheep barn located on a 12-acre farm in North Hampton near the Seacoast. This expansion increased their brewing capacity from 3-barrels to an impressive 15- barrel system. Later, Nicole and Annette established a full-scale kitchen, and a 5-acre farm with vegetables, for customers to enjoy in their new farm-to-table restaurant. Throwback Brewery has honored their commitment to source as many ingredients as they can get within a 200-mile radius of the brewery to help the local communities. Over the years and through their growth, Throwback Brewery’s mission has remained the same and is summed up very distinctively ‘Spreading Happiness’ through farm fresh beer and homemade food.
In 2020, the pandemic affected Nicole and Annette’s business dramatically. When covid first hit, they transitioned to 100% takeout pivoting from the normal 5% while implementing an online ordering system. As all restaurants transitioned and were allowed to open outside, Throwback moved to a table service model with a hostess and an online reservation system. They also started offering homemade take-out meals. Nicole and Annette transitioned the beer garden into eight fire pits with tables and were mostly booked all winter long! Since the summer of 2021, things have returned to more of a 'new normal' for the brewery. While staffing and limited seating are an ongoing challenge, Nicole and Annette are hopeful. Nicole Carrier explained, “The programs and grants offered by the SBA to small businesses during the pandemic served as a lifeline for our restaurant, farm, and brewery. We are incredibly thankful for the support, which allowed us to keep our top-notch team employed and engaged, while affording us the flexibility to find creative ways to make it through the tough times.”
Throwback used the initial Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to cover payroll while being mostly closed. The second PPP is helping cover payroll, mortgage interest, and utilities. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) allowed them to compensate their dedicated, hardworking team, with much deserved raises and bonuses who have worked tirelessly throughout this past year.
Nicole and Annette have built a sustainable place that people want to come, stay, drink, and eat and is what motivates and aspires Nicole and Annette to get up and go to work every day for the past 10 years. They have recently launched ‘Lady Sausage’ a signature brand of house-made sausage, salami, and cheeky merchandise. Things are looking up and while the name ‘Throwback’ really represents a nod to the past, it also has a second meaning, which is throwing back a beer with friends and celebrating the good times. Cheers!
“I’m thrilled that a New Hampshire business will be featured during SBA’s National Small Business Week this year,” said Amy Bassett, SBA New Hampshire District Director. “Annette and Nicole of Throwback Brewery are two entrepreneurs that have demonstrated their perseverance, resiliency and creativity as they’ve weathered the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. They made full use of SBA’s recovery programs including the Paycheck Protection Program and the Restaurant Revitalization Program. With hard work and determination, Annette and Nicole are in a great position to build back better.”