Breweries opening in Minnesota 2013/2014

Speaking of distilleries the J. Carver Distillery is now selling gin and vodka around Waconia and also at Vintage in Chanhassen. The tasting room is done but they won't open it until they have more product to sample. If you want to try some in mixed drinks you can try them at Island View Golf Course.

Funny how you can have a winery and brewery together (Schram for example) but you can't do distillery and brewery.

 

I wonder how Steel Toe/Millers & Saints get away with it then. Aren't they in the same building using the same mashing equipment, and some of the same personnel?

 

"Steel Toe owners Jason Schoneman, Joe Muggli and Ron Olney must operate their brewery separate from their distillery due to liquor laws. A chain-link fence separates the brewing operations from their 300-gallon pot still."

The brewery makes the "wash" and sells it to the distillery.

Similar to Bent Brewstillery and Vikre Distillery / Bent Paddle.

 

Nice link. I'm still wondering if they use the same brewing equipment for both the beer and the spirits. If anyone can answer this particular question it'd be appreciated.

 

Yes, partially... see my edited post.

 

Insight Brewing just announced their grand opening - November 21st. 4-Midnight.

https://twitter.com/InsightBrewing/status/529388317670768640/photo/1

 

"Surly utilizes 'Surly bill,' wins initial OK for Prospect Park taproom license"

http://www.vita.mn/crawl/281367961.html

“My only request is that you brew some more Surly Four, because I still have my bottle that I’m holding on to and I want to be able to have some more of that.”

Yes please.

 

Perhaps this is old news, but I just noticed it. Lupine Brewery in Hanover has a Kickstarter campaign going. They're nowhere near their goal and have 11 days left. I have to be honest - their perks don't look all that special when compared to what other breweries have done.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/368104541/lupine-brewery-and-tap-room?ref=category_location

 

Yeah, a hat/tshirt/glass for $100? At Waconia for $100 I got a growler, glass, t-shirt, 12 growler fills, and lifetime 20oz upgrade.

 

Not quite a brewery, but Urban Forage is planning to open a Winery/Cidery on 30th and East Lake in Minneapolis. Planned opening date is Spring of 2015 and they have a kickstarter going right now.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/902495662/urban-forage-winery-and-cider-house-minneapolis-mi
https://www.facebook.com/urbanforagewinery

 

I have been kind of following them since it will be by far the closest taproom for me. They have not done too much in terms of marketing, at least not anything that would make me buy in yet. They have their license, not sure what else they need, but they should be at local liquor stores pouring samples if they can to get people interested.

If I could sample some, maybe I would donate. Either way, I will still check them out when they open due to proximity to see what they are about.

 

They at least need to make a braggot in order to trip my radar.

 

Anyone tried Maple Island Brewing in Stillwater yet?

 

Understood. I'm most excited, though, because their kickstarter mentions they make mead. Doesn't sound like it's in the initial plan, but if they eventually do a mead I'd be happy.

 

U4ic (Blakeley, MN) just drove down to North Carolina to purchase a used wastewater treatment gizmo they need because they're out in the country. Supposed to be brewing in December assuming they can get the gizmo up and running in a timely manner. Looking forward to this one.

 

Was there a couple of weeks ago. They are right next to Northern Vineyards just north of the bridge (a connecting doorway would be nice). It was nice enough that they had the two overhead doors open overlooking the river. Beers were decent, the standout for me was the Maple Island Bock made with local maple syrup.

 

I like that connecting doorway idea!

 

A great idea for a business.

 

Here's a quick update from Paul Gecas of the "Big Swamp" nanobrewery at Gunflint Tavern in Grand Marais:

 

Waconia Brewing grand opening party is this Friday. They have a band and pizza food truck to go with their newly released Belgian IPA and Belgian Quad. I think brewmaster Todd is a closet Belgian (or he's trying to use up a surplus of Belgian yeast). I'll be there, I think. If you want to meet up there let me know. Or just find me in a Waconia Brewing hoodie. ;-)