Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

I ran into some brewery people who seemed to know exactly what was going on a few weeks ago, and they said that Modist and Lucid tap rooms are completely different efforts and businesses, different buildings, etc. It didn't sound like Lucid was closing their brewery in Minnetonka and that they will still brew Pryes and Bad Weather beers there. They also said that Lucid was considering launching a whole new brand at the new place, but they didn't elaborate and I didn't ask. They were a little tipsy and spilling the beans on a lot of things, so I mainly just listened.

 

As mentioned above, I think it's more important to spend that money on having a great location/tap room and just letting your brewer learn and grow. We beer nerds want great beer, but many places are succeeding with crappy beer just by having an accomodating taproom and a good location (Excelsior, anyone?)

Still scratching my head at why they decided sexual innuendos was a good marketing strategy. I'm certainly not going to take my kid with me to have a "Daddy's Honey Pot" at Angry Inch Brewing.

 

This is true.

The guys at Lucid were in the same condition on BFD. I'll let them spill the beans.

 

Speaking of Lucid's new brand...

I stopped at Insight last weekend. It's not a brewery opening 2015/2016, but at about 6 months old, they are still pretty new. Apparently they will be going through some major rebranding later this year. They will have a new logo, all new names for their beers, and a new theme which focuses on myths and legends. I saw some of the new artwork, and it is pretty sweet. It will be interesting to see how it plays out for them.

 

It's the frat boy in them. They're looking for investors while marketing to an 8th grade mentality. Even Big Wood seems to have toned it down lately.

 

That, combined with Lucid, is pretty fascinating. I wonder why they both feel the need to rebrand so quickly. Are they both having sales and/or branding issues which is driving this? Or is this part of both plans all along? I would believe it is risky to toss away previous branding efforts, but I am no marketing expert.

 

I'm not sure what the retail mix is in your home market, Bravak, but even when I was a glorified stockboy ten years ago, I grew accustomed to seeing entire packaging lines (labels, baskets, crowns, and mothercartons) re-branded every eighteen months.

It makes sense that in the Craft Era (with 1,000 breweries-in-planning) that process might happen even faster.

 

In the long term, I'd say it's more important to have a solid brewer. There are certainly places I've been to that were, perhaps, going through "growing pains" & they lost a potential customer, because I won't bother to go back for their poorly brewed beers.

However, "micro beer" is so popular that in the short term, you're probably right. I can think of a couple of places making lousy beer that are in great locations that seem to be quite busy day & night. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep that fan base as people's palates (assumedly) evolve, or if their beers actually improve.

 

Will they have Death Metal too?

 

Insight has some of the worst branding in the game (local beer scene, that is). It is wise of them to revamp this ASAP.

 

Death Metal makes everything better. It's like bacon. But I imagine about 99.99% of the population would disagree..

 

They're pretty excited about this. One of the owners told me a good deal about their plans as well - including the plan to use myths and legends as part of the rebranding. However, I didn't get to see any of the new artwork. I agree, though, that their branding needs work. I'm sure they're moving in the right direction.

As fir Death Metal - I suggest Hammerheart.

 

I believe that number is far, far, far too low. Just walking past the stage on Darkness Day, my ears feel violated.

 

It's like they're playing the same song over, and over and over again.

Put some Bob Seger in or something.

 

Omni Brewing in Maple Grove just launched their kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1222806311/omni-brewing-co-new-brewery-in-maple-grove-mn

They haven't officially announced it as of this moment, but I'm guessing that is coming today based on social media. I really hope they make decent beer because we need it in the NW burbs!

 

There is money to support a brewery in that area, that is for sure. Do they have any experience other than home brew?

 

Agreed

 

On a side note - Wander North Distillery now says their cocktail room will be open "by the end of the month." I suspect they'll meet that since their original target date was last November. They're spitting distance from Northgate Brewing so it's almost like having a full bar.

 

I don't think so, but pretty sure I'm going to back them as a founder just because they are close to me.

 

If someone wants to open a brewery in west Bloomington and they kickstart - yeah, I'm backing them. I might even back them if they said all they'll brew is IPA. Maybe they'll change their mind. Maybe I'll start to like the style.