Breweries Opening/Closing in Minnesota 2018

Some updates:

• AEGIR, Elk River, Facebook​
  • 1-10-18: “Unfortunately we still can't give an opening date but this was a big week for us. Our signs are up and we got our final city approval today. Now we're just waiting on state inspections to be completed. Stay patient... it's gonna happen soon.”​
  • 1-11-18: “One day after we got the great news that we were finished with the city permits, we got dealt a big blow from the state. Apparently one of our applications never got filed, so we are back to the waiting game. They won't give us a timeline so we will just keep on doing our best to stay positive and persistent. I know this will be a disappointment for many of you... and we are sorry for yet another delay.” ​
• Angry Hog, Austin, Facebook, 1-20-18 (first Facebook update in over four months): “Many set backs, but, we continue to work and hope to open our doors within the next few months!” ​
• A couple of the owners of Arbeiter, a Minneapolis BIP, were on the most recent Minnesota Beercast.​
• According to its website, Rustech in Monticello will open in spring 2018. “We are opening a 5 barrel brewery onsite and we intend to have a minimum of eight beers on taps at any given time, and tasting flights are highly encouraged. The location is right off I-94 in Monticello making it easy for customers to stop in and pick up their favorite growler of beer.”​
• Torg, Spring Lake Park, Facebook, 1-7-18: “Step 1) Secure the building. DONE. Step 2) Build the brewery. The first step of a journey is the longest stride. With keys in hand to the building, Torg Brewery is moving forward.”
• Wooden Hill, Edina, Facebook, 1-20-18: “Looks like we’ll open our doors sometime in late February.”

 

Culhane pulled the plug of opening the brewery and has been working at Fulton and will have two Sidhe recipes beers on tap soon...Dark Moon and Darkest Minter

 

(I'm a little bit surprised if not genuinely astonished)

Edited to note for the record that Culhane is the second plan which focused on opening in Lowertown; Mr. McGeasil had planned to open there as well.

 

I spoke too soon!

 

Vive cougar night!

 

The cougar contingent is too powerful to be denied for very long.

 

There’s four on right now, and the place is a flurry of activity (no pun intended). I reckon it’ll be a madhouse on the day of. I might have to camp out in the cold box...

 

Pantown Brewing in St. Cloud has posted on Facebook an ad for a head brewer.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=171898536758893

 

They've been looking for a little while, no w -- from a month back on ProBrewer:
http://discussions.probrewer.com/showthread.php?72840-Head-Brewer-Wanted-Minnesota

I sincerely do wish them luck -- Saint Cloud needs another taproom!

 

Still waiting for a Bloomington (West, or otherwise) brewery, but I'll take Wooden Hill as being close enough. Technically, the Shakopee breweries should be just as convenient, but we never go south of the river for some reason.

So we're excited for Wooden Hill - especially with the Skyzone opening nearby - perfect for our 3 year old for meeting another couple with a 3 year old - let the kids jump, then go get beer.

 

Has anyone heard if Dual Citizen is doing a public soft opening? I have seen Untappd check-ins throughout the week that mention a soft opening, but I’m not sure if it is a friends/family, backers, or media sort of thing.

 

I believe they had a "industry only" soft opening already.

 

Disgruntled in Perham is seeking a new head brewer and not planning on closing after all (in contrast to a well-sourced but apparently inaccurate rumor I posted a while back). This forum gets a plug in this article, which says that former head brewer Brett Doebbeling "remains a part owner."

 

Do you think they've even brewed in the last month (or even 2)? Until i see them advertising something new, I'm not making a trip to Perham for a blonde/brown/amber ale, which is all they seems to have now. As an out-state resident, this really sucks. It was awesome having hops like that and was accessible with a half day trip.

 

They might as well keep looking until Brett is ready to buy the brewhouse (assuming he wants it).

 

When I walked by last night around 6, the lights were on but the door was locked. Didn't see anyone inside.

 

Jerard Fagerberg has a preview article up on the City Pages. I think the soft opening was on Tuesday (trade and others)? When I stopped in the storm was still raging, so I didn’t get a chance to try the beer.

 

It appears Dual Citizen is opening Saturday

 

The owners of the brewery literally said they weren't closing just days days after the split with their brewer.

 

Four beers at opening seems a little light, right? I'm not sure four beers at open is enough to give me a real feel for the type and quality of beer that I should expect in future visits. Just my opinion. Certainly will wait to judge, because it could be a really strong four beer mix, but I just hope they aren't rushing to open with a limited menu.