Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

Their webpage and social media are up and running, but their name was perhaps a bit tongue in cheek?

Meanwhile, over in Dundas:

 

Facebook page is up: https://www.facebook.com/cosmosbrewing/

Meanwhile in Dundas, Meetinghouse is now Meetinghall.

 

I was really hoping Cosmos Brewing was going to be Kramer related. Looks like Minnesota will have to keep waiting for a brewery that can cater to 200 Jewish singles.

 

This is from a Facebook post, last Friday:

Meanwhile, The Growler staff has reason to believe that a Minnesota brewery will sell to InBev in 2016.

 

After Ballast Point sold to Miller for a Billion, I think everyone is on the table for the right price.

 

Starts with "Ful" ends with "ton"

 

Is that speculation or are you better informed?
That was one brewery I had considered when I heard the growler's prediction. I don't have any insider info though.

 

I wouldn't wind if Shmaltz Brewing would set up a branded taproom in Nordeast. The more the merrier!

 

Wonder if that's the "alcoholic beverage manufacturer" for sale I keep hearing ads for on 1500?

 

I can see that, Summ of it even makes sense.

 

There's also this plan in the works, involving the old armory.

 

I had some samples from Meetinghall Brewery's the other day in Northfield. And while I don't want to pass any definitive judgement on a brewery before they've even reached the production stage, there is potential here - admittedly in part because there is space to grow.

I tried an IPA and a brown ale. Both were quite subdued, but had some distinct, yet subtle flavors. I wish the hops were emphasized in the IPA, but they were both quite enjoyable. They were also quite accessible, and my significant other especially loved the brown ale.

 

Modist is doing a crowd source funding project/member's club, pretty nice as when they open, you instantly get more back than what you invest.

http://modistbrewing.com/modist-makers.php

 

Disclaimer here: you don't get cash back, rather "in store credit". Still, if you plan on frequenting this place, not a bad deal at all. I live too far away from Minneapolis to make it over there regularly, so I'll have to pass.

 

That has to be one of the best rewards for investing I've ever seen beer wise. Makes Four Firkins rewards look like a nightmare.

 

I searched this thread and was surprised to not see any information on Clockwerks Brewing (Facebook page) in downtown Minneapolis (next to the police station on the same block as the 90s) and apparently plans on decorating with a steampunk decor and being open in Spring 2016.

They had a Kickstarter campaign, but they canceled that earlier today. I only link to the Kickstarter for the video in case anyone is interested in learning more about the project. They posted on Facebook why they cancelled the Kickstarter campaign:

Check out the original Kickstarter campaign rewards. $1000 for free pints for life, and some options for growler fills. Not bad actually.

I expect an Indiegogo campaign soon.

 

Until The Growler cites any sort of intel, it's nothing more than speculation. In my opinion, Summit, Surly and Schell's are the only ones that are close to large enough to make it worth it for the "big guys." It's not a reflection on the quality of anyone else left off that list but from a sheer volume standpoint I don't see the upside for the big guys, particularly given the precedent that has now been set. Golden Road and Blue Point are both around 50K. Fulton is maybe half of that and they come from a smaller market than both of those breweries. I'm a fan of Fulton (and a ton of other great local breweries) but with Megabrew looming, an acquisition of a local guy seems far fetched to me.

 

I agree that it doesn't make sense for the big guys to buy one of the ultra small breweries. You mentioned Surly, Summit, and Schell's as candidates. First off, I'd add Fulton and Third Street to that list. Schell's would shock me the most honestly. The one thing they are proud of above all else is that they are the second oldest family-owned brewery in the country. Surly would really surprise me too. Summit seems unlikely because such a large share of their market is EPA sold in the metro. It's my assumption that a lot of their popularity comes from the fact that it's a local, approachable beer. If they sold out, I think a lot of the people who support them b/c they are local would leave them. For Fulton, I think they are just big enough to looked at by the big guys, but again I'd be surprised.

My guess based entirely on total speculation is Third Street. They are a big system, like 80,000+ barrels. They just went through a major change in management including head Brewer, assistant Brewer, Vice President, and regional sales director. Almost none of the original management is connected to the brewery now. They are planning to trim down their line-up to focus more on their Minnesota Lager, a beer with appeal to BMC drinkers while still being "craft."

I hope it isn't so. I have a lot of fond memories in the taproom their when I was at Saint John's for school. It was always a nice local hangout spot.

 

Always nice to find another Johnnie on ba