Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

While it technically opened in 2014, Take 16 Brewing in Luverne, MN, has recently TTB received label approval for four packaged brands (bottles) -- as well as growlers. A very interesting development for the southwest part of the state.

 

Last night we were talking to Guy, the brewer who will be helming South Fork in Delano (who we'd seen an hour earlier working with & learning from Austin L. at Hammerheart). The news he shared was that, notwithstanding recent discussions on Lupine's location(s), Lupine Brewing is supposedly setting up their taproom in Delano, literally a stone's throw from South Fork. Think Bang/Urban Growler proximities. As for South Fork, they are currently aiming for spring/summer opening from what I was told. Expect the standard accoutrements -- taproom, growlers, dog-friendly patio. And possibly a firepit and benches with blankets near it in the colder months (so I'm assuming that's Sept-June ). Someone needs to track down those Lupine guys at the Dabbler and pin them down about where they really will be landing as their true final location. Is their use of the old McCann's space just a stop-gap? Because I'm assuming Guy knows of which he speaks when it comes to having a nearby competitor. He also said that Lupine's place was going to be much bigger than their more humble establishment. I can't wrap my head around it, but reckon that western exurbs tour bus routes will be forthcoming.

 

A spotlight on Beaver Island, who will be sampling their beers at the big event in St. Cloud, this Saturday.

Some news on the BlackStack Brewing Company development in St. Paul. This is a big plan, years in the making.

 

Was told by a friend that a co-worker's family was opening a new brewery in NE MPLS, near Uncle Frankie's on Broadway, just west of Central. Supposed to be opening sometime this spring/summer. She didn't know the name and I didn't see anything on this thread about a place in that area. Did I miss something? The only place somewhat close was 58 brewery going into the old Northgate space, but I didn't think that was it.

 

This item just hit my inbox from Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais:

"Our tentative open date is Thursday, February 12th at 4pm. Then we'll be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm until 11pm and on Saturdays from 12:00pm until 11:00pm for the rest of the winter.
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Our kitchen will be open and our chef has prepared a menu of small plates that will pair perfectly with our beers. We'll also be offering tours so stay tuned for more information about those. "

The email goes on to say that their Grand Opening will be in March. I'm expecting to be up that way for Finland's (Finland, MN, that is) annual St. Urho's Day celebration & parade & drag show (crazy northern MN winters = crazy great northern MN people), so hoping that they hold the Grand Opening that weekend.

 

I'm originally from Delano, so perhaps I can shed a little light on this. The location that South Fork is setting up in is directly across the street from the City Hall/retirement home building. To the right of South Fork is an old library that's now being used as a county historical center; as I believe it's on the National Register of Historical Places (or whatever its called), that's not coming down anytime soon. Behind South Fork is more entrenched businesses, and directly to the left is the firehouse. It would seem strange to me that the city would approve the zoning of two breweries so close to public service centers like that, and that isn't even taking into account that there is virtually no open buildings or areas within 2-3 blocks of South Fork. Unless a ton has changed since I've been there last, it seems very unlikely that Lupine would build close to South Fork, not even taking into account the supposed "much bigger" building that you reported Guy as saying. Even though it would be totally awesome for my little town to have two full fledged microbreweries.

Cheers!

 

Sounds like the taproom is now open down in Montgomery and they're having 3 beers on tap this weekend. Anyone get over there yet?

 

Based on the description of the location and time frame, I'm guessing she's talking about not a new brewery but rather Tattersall Distilling, which will have a cocktail room.

http://mspmag.com/Blogs/Foodie-File/January-2015/Coming-Soon-Dan-Oskey-s-Tattersall-Distillery/

 

That sounds right. I was trying to think of which other plan it might be, and there's really not too many on the radar in that part of town within the time frame (aside from 56Brewing, and they're not quite in that same neighborhood.)

 

Wabasha is set for inspection next week. Could be serving shortly after.

 

I stopped by Montgomery’s taproom on Saturday evening. I sampled all three beers on tap, a blonde ale, an amber ale, and a brown ale. All three were surprisingly well executed for initial commercial batches. The blonde ale in particular was quite flavorful by the (admittedly low) standards of the style.

The beer definitely is not aimed at the BA crowd, but it’s solid introductory craft beer for small towners / deep exurbanites. I’m not trying to cast aspersions on that sort of community but rather trying to be realistic about the market. That said, I think the area could accommodate more aggressive recipes. Employees told me that they expected the blonde ale to be the flagship, but it turns out that they’re selling more of the brown ale so far, which indicates to me that customers are more willing to stray from pale lager taste profiles than the brewers expected. I think palates have evolved rapidly in Minnesota as recently as the last couple of years, and there’s a lot of people, even outside of the Twin Cities and Duluth, who five years ago would scoff at any craft beer but now would be happy to try a 100 IBU Double IPA or an Oud Bruin.

The taproom is small, functional, and no frills in a way I appreciate; it’s the anti-Surly Beer Hall (not that I don’t love Surly Beer Hall). If you’re an old-fashioned microbrewery fan (I'm talking the extremely olden days, like the 1990s), Montgomery will be right up your alley. If you’re looking for high gravity beers, aggressive hopping, sours, style-busters, experimentation, etc., then it’s not for you.

 

Sounds good to me. Will try to make it down there after U4ic and Roets are open as well. Thanks for the review!

 

Thanks for the detailed write-up! I have family down in Waterville so we drive through Montgomery regularly. The amount of Busch Light that gets consumed in the local bars is staggering, so I was skeptical when I heard of a brewery in Montgomery. Sounds like they have a smart business plan to start off at least, luring in the locals with non-offensive options.

Will try it out soon and report back!

 

Big Axe Brewing Co. - Nisswa

Local media coverage via Lakeland Public Television.

 

Thanks for the Black Stack brewing scoop! That's awesome news...I live near that location and that building could be another in the vein of the Broadway (612)... Huge ceiling multiple level tenants and close to the green line....this would put them close to Burning Brothers, Urban Growler and the future Lake Monster Brewing at Vandalia......the prior ave building is huge so they could easily slot a taproom/brewery the size of Insight brewing into that space and there would still be tons of space...

 

Truly, that campus is large enough for three breweries the size of Insight.

Or one brewery adjacent to a wholesaler with a coldbox the size of the one at the old All Saint's Brands location.

 

Cheers Chaz....I know Hamline Midway planning committee were hoping for a destination brewery for that location for a while so am very interested to see what the plans are...hope they hire some talented brewers for this brewery. If you hear any more details in the future please post them up...THX

 

The Northfield City Council is voting on an ordinance to allow taprooms and cocktail rooms. In the short run that probably means a cocktail room for Loon Liquors. In the long run this little college town would be a great place for another brewery.

http://m.southernminn.com/mobile/northfield_news/article_40ef8734-6eca-5152-bdd0-1797b6585df6.html

 

Your wish is their command: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Union-Brewing/127419403991956

( Although the brewery plan has also been scouted for a location in nearby Dundas. )

 

I think they're planning on Dundas. The article mentions "Imminent Brewing" who plan to open in Northfield by "this fall" - that seems unlikely.