Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

I think you guys are missing the significance of "habit" and the name as a double entendre. Collegeville/St. Joseph, where the brewery is located, is home to a monastery of the Benedictine order of monks (and nuns) and the associated College of St. Benedict and St. John's University. The robe that monks wear is called a habit. And, as has been seen in past news stories, some of them have been very bad indeed.

 

Wander North Distillery's Cocktail room won't be open this weekend. They no longer promise to be open by the end of June, but still say their grand opening will be 7/11 with a soft opening sometime before that.

 

You've got me there. For what it's worth, I would like to point out that my statement was directed at a business not a person. Also, we are both correct in our arguments we were just arguing different things. I was talking about connotations, and you were talking about denotations. Whatever, like I said I hold no malice on my end. Let's get back to the beer.

 

Quick Updates in Saint Paul -Things are finally shaken and equipment is finally arriving at two places near me.
Just need BlackStack to get their place going now !! All these posted on Twitter but in case you missed it -

Bad Weather ( hell yes !!) finally got their tanks and they moved them into the taproom today- 40 BBL's ??

pic.twitter.com/tweeWNyZtY

Lake Monster -Got their tanks today !

pic.twitter.com/6yu36KAFFk

pic.twitter.com/6yu36KAFFk

 

Golf clap . . .

For what it's worth --not too much, eh?-- but I did in fact tour the BlackStack Brewing Co. site today, and also had a chance to speak with their head brewer. And yes, I also had an opportunity to sample some of the test batches.

I will share a more cohesive run-down of that experience tomorrow.

In the meanwhile, there is a certain "Berliner Bellini" I need to re-visit, and I have a bottle of TUMS all ready to go...

 

Wait -- wasn't everyone around these parts raised in the Roman Catholic tradition? I would've thought that such an obvious double entendre would be as natural to all of us as engaging in a spirited round of "Minnesota Nice" -- oh well.

Frankly --and take this from someone who was involved in brand-building in a previous stage of my career-- "Bad Habit" is a somewhat generic and universal turn of the phrase. So although they are indeed engaging in a funny little word-play which the local community will understand, it isn't a very unique name, ultimately. They couldn't go too far -regionally or nationally, for instance- without running into at least one or two brands with very similar names (albeit some which are in different segments of the marketplace.)

Simply put, finding an original name in the Craft Brewing niche/segment is becoming a much larger challenge as more plans enter the fold.

 

Chaz- Would love to hear whatever you can share on Blackstack ...Its the one brewery I am nearest too so selfishly would like to know what the plan is over there ....I heard they would focus on European style beers but with strong flavor profiles but that's about it. Any info you can share publicly about taproom plans would be great .

By the way their neighbors Can Can Wonderland are within striking distance(99%) of their $40K crowdfunding , but they already had quite a bit of money so must be for the finishing touches !

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/can-can-wonderland

 

Got to check out Bad Weathers digs today. The place is going to be rad! It already is rad. I'm super stoked.

 

They are not-quite halfway there with nine days to go. It will definitely be delayed.

Here's a good read on the upcoming Modist Brewing:
http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/Blogs/Twin-Cities-Taste/5-Questions-with-Brewer-Keigan-Knee/

 

I really think they are going to make some great beer and going down there will be fun before and after Twins games! Did a google street view of the location and it looks like the location has some nice potential... parking may be an issue though.

 

- Chaz-

How's about a little update on your visit with Blackstack in St.Paul ?

What's shaking over in the Silgan building ! Would be most interested in hearing about the overall plan and timeline from the Murphy/Johnson duo !

Who is the head brewer and what kind of brews can we expect to see from them?

Any info is appreciated .

 

BlackStack Brewing Company -- a "Steel-toed Boots on the Warehouse floor" preview
Preface: This isn't in any way as complete as I'd wanted it to be, but it'll have to make do for now.

In brief, the BlackStack plan is a large scale (multimillion dollar) operation in the undertaking.

It is presently many months in the making and with at the very least a few more months before the beers have their label approval, are packaged, and are rolling out to retail and on-sale (draught) accounts.

One distinction which sets BlackStack apart from other plans in the burgeoning Craft Beer fold: It is presently fully-funded.
Moreover, there is no thought given to the reliance on crowdsourced funding campaigns, but instead to be funded in-full as the long term plan takes shape from year-to-year.

There are several components to the BlackStack structure, not the least of which is a self-distribution model for their core brands.

1. Brewery Type

This is mainly a note to clarify for those whose spreadsheets differentiate by brewer type or segment: BlackStack is a production brewery, first and foremost. This isn't to say that there won't be due consideration given to food and hospitality -- far from it. But the main point to take away is that they are fine tuning their year round recipes (in development right now) and will refine the other aspects in due course of time.

From my basic, "Johnny on the Spot" take, BlackStack Brewing Company will be a production brewery with taproom and restaurant, so it will be similar to "Urban Growler" in the nearby St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul.

It will also have the largest taproom in St. Paul, with plenty of room for guests -- 6,000 s.f., if I recall correctly.

(Note: I do not have any more details of the on-site restaurant at present. Although I come from a food and beverage background, this is a sticking point from my notes, as I wanted to know the name of the chef and her/his accreditation, whether they had a good reputation, and so forth. But on the other hand, as the Beer Advocate crowd is -mostly- all about the beer first and foremost, I placed a mental focus on the brewing and packaging considerations as I made my notes -- which were 90% mental.)

1a. Scott Johnson is the name of the fellow who showed me around on Wednesday, Noon. Some of you know him.
1b. Brewmaster is Bob Duvernois. He should be familiar to some of you, as he's had a well-traveled path in beer.
1c. The brewing equipment did indeed arrive on-site in early-to-mid May.
1d. Cold Box construction was commencing as I took the tour of the site (and it was *LOUD*)
1e. Replacement of thousands of individual panes of window banks is near completion.

This last remark is an important distinction, as there has been a great deal of thought given to keeping with the original and historic character of the space, which was a steel (later aluminum) can factory, originally.

2. Guest considerations.

With 6,000 square feet (including the taproom area + restaurant) there will be plenty of space for guests. Accessibility is considered, and the brewery is located on a designated bicycle thoroughfare (bicycle geeks take note!)

I did not get a firm "Yes" or "No" as to whether or not it would be a dog-friendly* brewery, but there should have no problem accommodating children in the taproom: Made-on-site Craft sodas were also mentioned, briefly.

*Note: "Newell Park" is nearby for you dog people (and that's my personal observation.)

3. Other considerations.
- Adequate parking. 70+ surface grade on the east side of the building, with a nearby lot bringing the total to over 100.
- There will be a rooftop patio (the view from which is a panoramic one.)

4. Production brewery with Client brewery arrangements

BlackStack will primarily function as a production brewery with its own line of beer brands, but the company will also brew for other (client) breweries. It was designed from the beginning to be a large-scale brewing operation, and it will be the largest-scale startup brewery in the state when it opens.

The initial client brewing company will be St. Paul's "Yoerg Beer Company", which we have discussed previously.

Last but not least: Timetable.

This plan is an ambitious one, to say the least. It's a production brewery with taproom and restaurant, outdoor (rooftop, no less) patio, and a wholesale distributorship . . . all wrapped-up into one, football sized burrito shell, garnished with two huge sides of guac, a gallon jug of Pace® Picante sauce, and a fifth of Cuervo.

But seriously?

Considering today's go-go beergeek lifestyle we have almost come to expect that a Craft brewery can be built from the ground-up in a matter of months. All one needs to do is have a slick website and social media presence, some cool Swag to give out at beer fests, a few year-round I.P.A.s, and you're good to go.

The Reality on the ground is quite different: You need solid recipes, a solid (and funded) long-term business plan, and a better-than-average understanding of the local and regional specialty beverage market -- and Craft Beer is nothing if not a specialty.

Likewise, the reality of the situation with BlackStack is that it will take a longer-than average amount of time before it is open to the public. My best guess is that it will be fall (late in the "Oktoberfest Season") before they're fully open.

In the meanwhile there are the typical state, county, and local (City) licensing and zoning considerations to be processed -- all of which are well underway, to be sure. There are labels to be designed, there is copy to be written, and there are a host of smaller considerations -- each of which is as important as the one preceding it -- and at long last there is a story to tell.

The story of BlackStack is still being written, but the story of the sprawling urban, industrial campus upon which BlackStack is situated can be touched upon briefly here -- that site is a follow-on to the adventures of the "Action Squad", and those who were into reading up on the adventures of urban explorers back in the 1990s will recall that name -- and have maybe even met some of the crew.

That's all for now. More details to come . . .

 

Hi Chaz - Wow ! That's quiet the update and their plan is truly ambitious . It seems like were starting to see a lot of these bigger but hopefully better thought out breweries popping up .

It seems like these guys are really thinking through their whole launch as I am sure a plan of this magnitude would be posted all over news and business websites by now if they wanted it . Really great to hear the restaurant element coming into the space that will be a big draw .

I heard they will be painting the adjacent smokestack black ? Is that right ?The complex they are in could really be something amazing once its completely renovated .

If these guys can open this year that will be something ...You never mentioned the beer styles or samples ....Is it German style Largers they will be brewing ??



THX

 

Yes. They have taken their time and have a larger (and more complete) press kit in development.

The logo, for example. We've seen an early example of what it might look like, thanks to the internet sleuthing of one of youse guys (and indeed the refined and final logo has a very fairly similar look to that one, yet also quite distinct from it), but even the final logo and other, certain aspects of the overall plan I have not been made privy to.

The year-round styles for BlackStack are still in the development phase, but they have 4-6 key styles which they are developing right now, including seasonals. There are another dozen or so which are being developed for introduction as Year One rolls into Year Two, and etc (Remember: this is a production brewery, but they will offer growlers much as any existing taproom, along with draught only --or DONG-- offerings, as well.)

I will add that all of the beers of which I had the pleasure of sampling were very distinct in nature, each with a unique character. Belgian style ales, British style ale, and even "German" style ales are what they are honing. There are some familiar hop profiles at play, here (familiar if you are a professional brewer -- or perhaps a lifelong industry hack like myself, and have sampled "better beer" for 25 or more years). There are also some very unique and uncommon hop, malt, and yeast profiles being combined -- in other words, this is not "boring" or average beer by any stretch of the imagination.

There are also a few classic, and very American-style ale interpretations in the offing, but there are no lagers to speak of; This latter consideration plays-in to the strengths of the "Yoerg Brewing Co." portfolio, which will in fact be lager-centric. I have not sampled those beers, yet, but will soon. It is worth mentioning (or repeating -- I forget whether I mentioned it) that BlackStack will have the local (and perhaps statewide -- that is an aspect which I did not clarify) wholesale distribution rights to "Yoerg Brewing Co." brands within their range of distribution.

To the latter, I can only add this much (as I have not met with the principals of the Yoerg family and brands):

The lager styles being brewed for "Yoerg" will be flavorful and crafted with a great deal of thought -- I did sample one particular beer which was an ale/lager hybrid (think: California Common) and which also possessed a fresh hop profile that was really out of this world, and which was also of Bock strength. This is something which is in-line with what Yoerg has in mind, and I was impressed enough by it (keen observers with note that I am not easily impressed; Check out my rate of deviation / rDev right here on this website. My critical palate is more in line with that of the folks on "Hatebeer." )

 

I just looked at the Yoerg website and I am intrigued to say the least. Plays right into my historical beer side. (BTW..the head guy from Pabst says they may resurrect Andeker but I regress)

Yoergs beer is not out yet is it? Also any idea where they are located?

 

The first of the Yoerg brands -"St. Paul Lager"- should be available on draught toward the later part of the summer.

The brewing company is based in St. Paul, not too far from the brewery.

 

So BlackStack beers are being designed by the gentleman who was responsible for the design and quality of Excelsior's beers?

 

So pretty much on the otherside of the river opposite Xcel?

 

@ZAP: No, Yoerg Brewing Company will not be a revived, heritage brewery as was e.g. Potosi Brewing Company.

Briefly: Before I dove headfirst into the beverage industry at "Three Tier", I was a homebrewer and beer can collector (this was in college and in high school, respectively), and it was therefore a natural reaction for me to reach out to the folks spearheading the effort to bring "Yoerg's" back to life; I have long-understand that Yoerg's holds a very special place in the heart of the Minnesota -and especially local- collectors and local residents, as well.

I had previously mentioned this in passing, but the plan has always been to introduce lagers. The recipes will draw-upon the stylistic character and profiles of the beers that were brewed by Yoerg Brewery from the pre-Prohibition era, onward. This is to say that there will be seasonal brands (think: Bock/Helles Bock, Oktoberfest, and Festbier in a more general sense) in addition to the year round flagship, "Yoerg's Saint Paul Lager."

The site of the original brewery site in St. Paul -- southeast of the Xcel, and across the Mississippi river, at the base of the 'West Side' bluffs -- has since been re-purposed. In fact, in the fifty-plus years since the brewery closed (and during which time the last of the Yoerg family descendents maintained either a commercial/real estate of industrial interest in the property) it has consistently served as the base of operations for one commercial enterprise or another, an yet it was never again a functional brewery.

To that end, the original site is currently occupied by an existing business, and there are no plans to re-introduce either a functional brewery or an affiliated taproom at the original "West Side" location, or anywhere in the immediate area.

Instead, the Yoerg's family of beers will be brewed on-contract at BlackStack Brewing in the West Midway neighborhood.

I will share more as pertains to the Yoerg Brewing Company plan as soon as I meet with the principals.

 

I ride bike here a couple of times a month. Did NOT know that Riverside was brewing. They have great bloody marys.