Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

Apologies as I didn't do a good job apparently describing the conversation. There was no rip - it was actually meant by them as a comment on what an emerging market is like compared to a market that has been around a while. I did try to say that I was not trying to flame anyone. And I also stated that the comments were positive about MN beers. And I thought it was pretty obvious I was not referring to a 30 year veteran, just a general comment on local beer drinkers - really implying those fairly new to the industry, which, is driving this tremendous growth.

On face value - the fastest growing craft beer market in the US, one that is still 3X less than more established markets, is going to have a significant amount of consumers who are new to the craft beer world. Just like the markets back West, when they first emerged there was similarities to what is happening here. As the market grows in maturity, palates refine themselves and grow along. So, the person who is introduced to local craft beer and maybe is a super hop head or loves monster Red's will more than likely find themselves admiring the subtle nuances of a well made mild or pilsner down the road, something they might not rally around right now.

And my "owner friend" has been around for a long long time........

 

That was really what I was trying to say. And why I failed writing classes.

I don't want to call out any breweries by name and show the results (I didn't save any notes anyways), as that wasn't the point. Plus I am three bombers into a great afternoon and should probably put down the Ipad.

 

Yeah. I have often been tempted to simply report them to BA or flame away in a post. Not sure if it would do anything, but it pisses me off that they would do this.

 

Maybe the idea that we are an emerging beer market is irksome to some of us grizzled vets here in Mn. Summit opened up shop in 1985 or there abouts and were brewing beer every bit as cutting edge as the stuff their West Coast counterparts were brewing at the time. Also, this notion that we are somehow chasing big flavors in our adolescent fever doesn't hold water for me. Show me a market where big, wacky beers don't get all the attention. Just my perspective, take it for what's it's worth.

 

A brewery is being built in Perham, MN - the Disgruntled Brewing Company who hope to open in the Fall.

They have started construction on a new 5000 sq ft building in the industrial park in Perham, MN which will have a 1000 sq ft taproom attached to a 4000 sq ft production brewery. They will soon be sending in their licensing application to the TTB but they have ordered a a 7bbl brewhouse that should arive in late August. Plans are to have 7 year round offerings plus a different seasonal offering every month.
Their website and facebook pages are still under construction.
http://www.fmbeer.com/disgruntled-brewing-is-coming-to-perham-mn/

 

In response to a bit of the conversation above, I think the most obnoxious sentiment coming from many self-proclaimed veterans of the craft beer scene is the dismissal of agressive styles. Just because balance and nuance are admirable qualities in beer doesn't mean that everything else is elementary.

 

That's a fair point, but I also think it's just a natural (over?) reaction to all the buzz that those aggressive beers seem to generate from the newbie crowd in particular. That or the veterans are trying a bit too hard to show that they've been in the game for a long time and can appreciate the more subtle styles more than the new-comers?

 

More info on Modist Brewing:
http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2015/06/modist_brewing_announces_plans_in_north_loop_minneapolis.php

 

Good point. And for lack of a way to say this politely, I'll add that most of the conversation is bullshit (& I mean that nicely). There are just as many "new craft brew drinkers" jumping on the bandwagon in "established" markets as there are around these parts. Not only that, but not everyone is a pinky-lifting connoisseur like all of us. There are 20x more people all over the country who don't give a rip about diacetyl, off-flavors, under-fermentation, blahblahblah & couldn't pick these things out of a lineup. They just like what they like, which is a step up from Bud but not something triple-barrel aged.

I could go on & on. But other than the relatively new age of our revolution compared to a few pockets elsewhere in the country, I don't think there's much difference.

 

I think there are some new breweries that have opened here in the last couple of years that make mediocre beer.
I think there are some new breweries that make at least one or two wonderful beers.
I think there are some breweries here that make great beer.
I think there are some breweries here that are over-hyped in relation to the quality of their beer compared to the less-hyped breweries.
I think there are at least one or two brewpubs/taprooms who succeed due to location in spite of the quality of their beer.
I think there is at least one veteran brewpub/taproom only brewery (i.e. no bottling, no distro, etc.) that just keeps cranking out good-to-great beer.
I think our two veteran craft brewers here (Schell's and Summit) are not given their due by many or most BAs.

I think you could make a similar set of statements about Oregon, SoCal, etc.

I have always preferred English-style ales to American-style pretty much any beer. This is not something I developed or claim as a way to prove my ability to appreciate anything as a "veteran" v "newbie".

 

Seriously. There are people that like off flavors, diacetyl, under fermentation, etc? I guess you're right. Maybe I should open a place I'm pretty sure I could be effective producing shit like that even thought I've only brewed one batch of beer in my life back in the mid-90's (an american lager kit that wasn't lagered and used ale yeast....I'd fit right in)

 

Yeah, we totally need to talk about Saga some more.

 

Are you trying to prove my point? Summit is not just Sága.

 

Exactly, it's not like there aren't a shit ton of hipsters in Portland...

 

No, not people who like them, but people who have no idea what those things are, & have no idea what they're tasting, & probably don't care. There are a couple of brewpubs that routinely put out poor beer & people seem to flock there, which makes me scratch my head. Then I remember the masses will drink - almost literally - anything alcoholic that's plopped down in front of them.

Another human attribute that is definitely not confined to the Twin Cities scene.

 

You're probably right in that it is not confined to the Twin Cities but I do think the boom here is still relatively fresh and there may be more of these here right now than in longer established craft beer cities...maybe not...

 

This topic came up with me and a few buddies the other day. One is a fairly avid homebrewer who makes two solid IPA's. He was approached about a business opportunity in a city currently lacking a brewery. He was concerned that he wouldn't be able to do it because he's only really good at IPA's. My contention was that the beer is the furthest thing from what matters in whether these places succeed or not.

If you put out a drinkable product in an untapped market with a great atmosphere and easily accessible location you'll thrive. Having a decent beer doesn't hurt, but it really comes down to location and ambiance at this point, from what I've seen.

I doubt that will change a ton in the next few years, and I'm sure there are plenty of breweries in Washington, Oregon, and California that stay open and profitable because of their location rather than their beer.. We beer geeks just ignore them because those aren't the places that we enjoy.

 

Sure, and with the taproom experience that makes complete sense. I'll use LTD as an example. I mostly enjoy their beer and feel they do best with their darker stuff. I absolutely loved their imperial chocolate milk stout on nitro. Loved it. They dabbled into a sour I thought was awful. Other beer was mediocre, but overall I enjoy what they do. I doubt they will be considered among the best in the cities ever.

I love their taproom. It has a great welcoming feel, very low key. It feels like it could be a community space for Hopkins. It's a place I feel comfortable taking my family, including my 5 month old son and if that continues, I will take him as he grows (he's been there once). It's also a great stop on my way to Tuttle's after work on bowling nights.

Not quite regardless of the quality of beer, I think / hope LTD will succeed for factors more than just the beer.

 

Also, I think I'm finally caught up on the newly opened breweries for my list. I just don't think I'm going to try to stay on top of the forthcoming breweries besides this thread. 5 month old is keeping me from following all the forthcoming breweries.

 

Angry Inch in Lakeville just lost an investor due to family health issues. They are now running a Kickstarter to try and raise $30k in 30 days. Guessing this will delay their projected summer opening.