Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

Unlikely, and yet: With the way that things of this nature have been progressing over the course of the past five or ten years, lately it could happen. Just about ever person named in the articles mentioned or linked-to so far (and -if you use "The Facebook"- you can even check up on who 'likes' what plan) has either a name or other mention somewhere on teh innernets -- even this mysterious Adam character that someone else* had mentioned.

So, as I see it now: One plan for Northfield and another for Dundas. Wow!

*Jeff Hansen, is that you?!?

 

Fargo ND / Moorhead MN update:

Kilstone Brewing is the newest brewery in Fargo and hope to be serving beer by the end of this month in their taproom.
The have a 2 BBL system.
http://www.inforum.com/business/3670775-kilstone-brewery-expands-areas-craft-beer-options

Junkyard Brewing in Moorhead had new tanks delivered last week and they brewed the last batch of beer on their original 1.5 BBL system they built themselves from 55 gallon barrels. Their new 3 BBL system should be up and running soon.

Drekker Brewing in Fargo opened a few months ago in October and is moving up their expansion schedule to meet demand as they have recently started distributing their beer to local bars. They plan to double their current production in 3 months and tripple it by then end of 2015.

 

If anyone is in the F-M area, Junkyard is absolutely worth checking out. I know I've touted it before, but we stop in every time we make it back home. Best beers in the area. Fargo brewing is doing a really nice job these days, as well! Both places have super nice guys working at all times that are happy to shoot the shit and talk beer.

 

I was also very impressed with Junkyard beers I had last summer. Can't wait to get back to the area to try some more and some of these new places..

 

Any idea if they have plans to bottle or can?

 

Last I talked to them, no. That could have changed though, I suppose. They constantly brew new stuff in pretty small amounts.

@ZAP, I really don't like to disregard places altogether, but you can skip Drekker. Three of us couldn't finish the flight we split. They have an awesome location and I hope they can pull it together, but man it's just way off the mark right now.

 

Thanks for the headsup. May have to make some choices for where to spend my time when in town

 

Man, they really were serious about two breweries / taprooms in Nisswa. I enjoyed visiting Gull Dam last year, we'll definitely hit Big Axe on the way up this year (with return trips to Gull Dam and Jack Pine, of course).

 

Yeah, I'm surprised, too. But there's evidently the belief in the fact that the local market will be able to support two. With the larger (distribution*) model of Gull Dam, I'd say that they could complement each other.

*Note: I'd almost forgotten that Leech Lake had some distribution in that area as well. So there's a niche.

 

There are plenty of bars / accounts in the region that could easily support a few local breweries - the various small towns scattered along 371, plus Brainerd and Walker. If those towns can all support a couple of bars, there could easily be an untapped market looking for something slightly different and brewed by their neighbors just down the road.

Plus, Brainerd has their own brewery which only does distro (the wheat was fine, but it's been two years since I've had it). So, that's 4 breweries within a 15-20 mile radius up there.

 

Brainerd Lakes, you mean? That's one brewery where I noticed a good deal of retail placements in the southern part of the state, all at once, and then it seemed like they sort of dropped-off the face of the earth.

I forget exactly who brews their beer (it was Minhas initially), but I recall Cold Spring, and even Lake Superior doing so.

 

Whoever does it is not good and taking up shelf space from better beers.

 

No surprise here. The ordinance change in Northfield passed unanimously. So, yeah, suddenly it looks like both Northfield (Imminent Brewing) and nearby Dundas (Union Brewing) are in the works.

http://www.southernminn.com/northfi...cle_15c725f5-bf55-5f67-8a39-56096207deae.html

 

Sorry Chaz. Not him. Though you got part of the name right.

 

That's awesome! I've always thought Northfield would be a great place for a brewery but had always heard there was a lot of opposition from City Council. Glad they changed their minds.

Too bad Imminent Brewing isn't in Northfield at all (according to their Facebook map at least) and is actually out by I35. Seems like they'd get a lot more business being in town. I guess Willinger's is nearby but still, not much for foot traffic and college kids out at Union Lake...

 

I visited Dundas and Northfield frequently over the past ten years, and Northfield is a really nice town. I would say that they have enough bars already (between the VFW and American Legion, Froggy Bottoms, Grundy's, Contented Cow, the Lounge... and that's just the big places. Every coffee shop has a beer and wine license, not to mention the Vineyard and other sit-down or fine dining options which also have them.) I wish these two plans luck!

 

Western 'burbs brew-rush continues. Just ran across this while working on an update to my personal MN breweries tracker. I don't think I've read about this one previously on our thread.

Unmapped Brewing Co. - Minnetonka

Focus apparently will be on belgian styles. No location yet. They do have the Facebook and Twitter thing figured out, however. Looks like the founder is JD Park (I want to say I know him, but I'm unsure, since, if I do, it's on a first name basis only). Timeline seems more realistic than most, as he hopes to get it open by Memorial Day -- of next year (2016).

 

That sounds right up my alley! And I appreciate it being more on my side of down than yet another NE Mpls brewery.

I'm still waiting for Eden Prairie and West Bloomington, though.

 

Oh, the interwebs! What imaginations we all have! Imminent Brewing WILL be in Northfield. One of our partners does live out by I35, hence the FB map saying that is where we are located. Union Brewing is just a FB page by one of our local homebrewer friends. No doubt someone would see that page and assume it is a "real" brewery. There are also plans for another brewery in Dundas- name TBD. Northfield may have a number of bars, but we are going to be a brewery with a taproom. There are none of thsoe here! Stay tuned for more details!!!!!

 

Badger Hill Brewing has you covered! just a short trip down 169 or 101 from both!