Breweries Opening in the Minnesota 2016/2017

Opening this fall now sounds more like this spring. As long as the beer is ready to go, I'll be there.

 

The answer to the question many of us have asked.

http://growlermag.com/hoops-brewing-to-open-in-duluth-in-2017/

 

Clockworks announced their grand opening for 11/12.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1442459839101464/

 

I was just coming to post this. This is huge news for my city!

 

A new one (to me*, at least) -- Albertville - Cedar Island Brewing.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CedarIslandBrewing/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CedarIslandBrew

It's a Taproom, ETA 2017.

And @ZAP? He's a Deutsches bier-o-phile, so get yer growlers ready to trade.

*And here I see the Facebook page has been live since January?

 

Nice, finally something out in my neck of the woods, too bad we are getting the house on the market.

What ever happened to the ones that were opening in St Michael and Otsego?

Speaking of Otsego, I haven't talked to the owner of Pour in a long while. But he was talking about putting in a very small system (probably home brew sized) and letting people brew on it and releasing the beer. Wonder if that is still in the works or if that idea has been ditched.

 

Lots happening at Stone Saloon lately. They've been digging out back for the past week, and look to be almost ready to pour the foundation of the new brewery building. (Just my interpretation.I don't know anything.)

 

Neither are particularly active on social media.

Pondscum Brewing (St. Michael)

While the website is active, social media may or may not be; I don't presently use Twitter, Delicious, Stumbleupon, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Instagram, or Hootsuite -- did I miss any?
Two years back he had a snapshot of some hand-labeled, homebrew bottles up on his Twitter account, but that account is now shuttered.

Earlier this year a fellow homebrewer had asked him about his plan, but there was no reply to that inquiry (this was on Facebook.) My best guess is that the plan is stalled.

Reckless Twins (Otsego) has not updated their Facebook page since March, 2015.

For what it's worth, here's a nice piece on the area BIP, circa fall of 2014:
http://northwrightcounty.today/2014/09/brew-crew-changing-face-beer-drinking-wright-county/

Thanks! I'll add Pour to my list of "Maybes." It has become a fairly long list.

 

A couple friends and I did a bit of a Southern tour this weekend. The former craft beer desert has bloomed nicely. We were not impressed with Bald Man. The beers were uninspired and even seemed a bit watery. I've had worse and if I was nearby I might stop by, but that's the best I can say.

Nutmeg as a vast improvement. Tasty beers. We didn't try the food (maybe next time). They seemed to be working more on the maltier end of things. I particularly liked their Belgian Porter. Their Belgian Tafel was a nice session beer.

We then went on to Angry Inch, not realizing that Lakeville was right next door. We really liked all of their beers. The IPA wasn't the best I've had, but was certainly passable. The rest were good. (I need to take notes if I want to provide more specifics for these posts).

We really really liked Lakeville. We were surprised by that. For some reason we went in with lower expectations, but that's really unfair. Their Irish Red is very good - a Smithwick's quality red. Perfect for the style. My friend Scott initially was disappointed in the Braggot, but his evaluation went up after it got a little warmer. Their IPA was excellent. They also had a seasonal that was a Saisson with Sauvignon Blanc Grapes. Basically the same beer as Insight's Sunken City (Lakeville's is a little sweeter).

I'd say it's definitely worth a trip to Lakeville to check these places out.

 

I agree. As a resident of Eagan, I really, really hope they get better. I have been describing their beers a Minnesota nice. Nothing bad (except the blonde they had on at opening - that was flawed), but nothing really that good either.

 

The Facebook link provides an address for what is currently the Seestedt's Carpet store, but I do know these same developers are also looking across the street at what is now the Heartland Restaurant space - slated to close end of year.

 

In other Lowertown StP news, Barrel Theory is starting to build out the space next to Dark Horse: https://twitter.com/barreltheory

 

Correct. I looked into the LowerTown plan quite a bit (even though I'm not looking to invest.)

However, if any of you are looking to invest, tours and other information is available via the agency involved in the site development: http://www.commissionhousellc.com/tours/

 

I meant to add that at Lakeville we mentioned to our server that this was our fourth brewery of the day. Soon after that the head brewer, Reece, came out and sat at our table for a bit. We talked for about 20 minutes. Nice Guy. Knew his beers and knew the industry. I mentioned how similar his Saison with Sauv Blanc grapes was to Insight's Sunken City. He'd heard of Insight, but had never tried that beer. It's just a coincidence that he made the same pairing.

 

I had a friend talk to him and ask him if he ever tried Backwoods Bastard, to which he said no. A month later my friend talked to him again and Reece was telling him he was working on a barrel aged brown ale with the name Backwoods something or another. Must be another coincidence.

 

As the old saw goes: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.*

To be fair to Reece, he was kind enough to reply to the early, probing emails I sent in his direction. He was also honest and forthright insofar as both his curriculum vitae and homebrewer-goin'-Pro status were concerned, so I shan't shit talk the man, here. In fact, in a growing industry full of backstabbing pricks meanies, he actually seems be be among the nicer people I've encountered in recent years.

*The full quote: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

 

I was in Lowertown last night and I stealthily walked past Barrel Theory. They had plastic up on the windows, so I couldn't look in. I don't know what or who they are trying to hide.

 

I would guess they are basically just hiding the expensive tools and building supplies inside. That block is rampant with break-in's after dark.

From what I can tell, no stainless has been brought in yet...

 

Just posted on Harriet Brewing's Facebook page:

"Fellow Harriet Brewing Supporters,

Harriet Brewing will close after Jan 31, 2017. After 6 crazy years, it’s time to move on. Development plans for our property do not align with Harriet; thus, we’ve been forced to relocate. After much contemplation, it has become apparent that Harriet can only exist in it’s current location. Attempting to relocate and repeat would be lame. Relocating would require a new brand and business plan, and, frankly, starting another brewery now seems unoriginal and risky in this saturated market. Please join us in supporting the final chapter of Harriet Brewing during these next 3 moths! Let’s celebrate the short life of this fantastic MN craft brewery! The music will rock and the beer will flow till the end!

Yours in the love of beer!"