Breweries opening in Minnesota 2013/2014

Probably true that its too soon for us to know, but they clearly know who they are targeting. My assumption is just based on the location, design, marketing and beer selection at launch. Maybe its just me but if they were marketing to a more beer-centric consumer base it would seem they would actually promote and highlight the beers they'll be offering the articles about their opening, instead they've focused on food an atmosphere.

 

They highlight local craft beers at all of their other locations. Are you saying they are trying to attract a less experienced craft beer clientele (or no craft exp.) by opening a brew pub?

 

In compairison to their other locations their guest tap list looks a little disapointing, but maybe they have some surprises planned both on the guest list and on site beers.

Just as someone who hasn't visited and has only looked at the articles and website I don't get a whole lot of motivation to go check it out because similar or better guest taps can be found through the metro and they don't provide much detailed information about their own brews.

 

Probably not opening in 2014, but Rhombus Guys Pizza who have locations in Grand Forks, Fargo, and seasonally in Mentor, MN recently advertised on ProBrewer that they are looking for an experienced brewmaster to be located in eastern North Dakota (which some people call western MN ). They recently bought a historic opera house in downtown Grand Forks and rumors were that it might be a good place for a brewery.

 

No, I think we're on the same page. I shouldn't get ahead of myself without even having visited the place, but from the information so far, it sounds like making world-class beer is not their top priority. Maybe I'm wrong.

Lots of people are making lots of money right now producing everything from bad to amazing beer.

Eh, most likely a Blue Plate Co. venture took the time to identify a target market before they started. Also wouldn't be surprising if they were casting a very wide net.

 

I just don't see the point of brewing your own if you're not going to do it really well, especially at this stage in craft beer history. They could have just done a concept similar to their Lowry pub with a more downtown flavor if they wanted to do something beer focused in that location, and saved themselves the hassle of actually brewing. We'll see though, a former Rock Bottom brewer could mean good things afoot.

 

Certainly could see a senario where they were really pushing to get the doors open and start making some $ on an obviously expensive location and due to this they may be a little behind on the brewery side. Would love to see it be sucessful and provide some unique offerings.

 

I think that's the exact rationale they are going for. Those are standard styles that can make up the backbone of a brewery's lineup. It gives them a base to build from if they plan to get somewhat more creative in the future (which I would expect), but if I went to a pub, I would expect to see an IPA, Brown, and a Stout on tap. If they happen to be fairly to style guidelines without a lot of flair, that's totally cool with me.

But we'll see what they do several months from now when they've been open longer and brewing longer. I'm not saying they're going to be awesome, but I'll give them a shot to prove themselves.

 

Let's not forget that they have multiple pubs to which they can distribute their own company brewed beers to. A Groveland Tap exclusive DIPA? Why the fuck not? A Highland Helles for Highland Fest? Sure. An oyster stout for the Lowry? Seems like a good fit. Beer is not an afterthought for these guys. Just saying.

 

Seems to me that a big difference between Freehouse and the other Blue Plate locations is that Groveland Tap doesn't charge $8(!) for a pint of Indeed Midnight Ryder. I'm way too cheap to care about a place that charges $8 for a $5 pint.

 

The base beers at Northbound were not bland and basic. They took some chances right out of the gates. Freehouse did not, no buzz about this place.

 

No argument there. I'm just saying that I understand the strategy. I'll stop by Freehouse at some point and I'm guessing that I won't go back very often because it might not be what I'm looking for (same reason I've only been to Granite City once). We'll see.

 

Went to Sociable Cider Werks for the first time last night. I can't say enough nice things about this place! Can anyone school me quick on apple Graffs? I had the Chopper witch was dry hopped goodness cider
(never thought i would say that). It tasted a lot like an American wild ale. The actual beer they had was good as well.

 

Is this place open for good now? I read in a Strib article they had a soft opening a few weeks ago and they will open late Dec/early Jan.

 

They were backed last night at 9:00pm and had a food truck there, i would say yes! The beer they do on a 2 barrel system. They had a smoked brown, saison, black saison, and English bitter. You can mix cider and beer on their beer flights for $7!

 

Graf is a fictional beverage S King dreamed up for his Dark Tower series of books. Sort of an apple ale. Some homebrewer decided to give it a go awhile back and came up with what is essentially a cider mixed with a small portion of lightly hopped beer. Brewing TV has an episode about it that will give you more information.

 

Yup, they started making good examples of brewery staples right out the gate. They've taken a few chances so far, but even their everyday beers are very well done.

 

Yeah, crazy chances on their IPA, porter, brown ale, and honey wheat ale.

 

At the time when Big Jim came out it was taking a chance doing something different same with the Smokehouse Porter. Both of these beers are light years ahead of anything at Freehouse. Never said they were crazy...

 

Big Jim is a good IPA, but how is an IPA something different? Everyone brews an IPA, it's the safest beer just about any craft brewery anywhere can brew.