Brewery Updates in Minnesota (2019)

https://www.facebook.com/lowbrewcoMN/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

 

As an FBS member that renewed for another year, it's a little concerning. I do think Ryan's post, when he stated he wanted to focus on traditional Lambic style, bodes well though. We'll see what happens.

I was disappointed that several of the last releases were heavy on adjuncts like vanilla and cinnamon and overwhelmed the base beers too much for my tastes. On the other hand, I thought barrel No 1 and farmhouse peche were outstanding and could hold their own with some of the more renowned players nationally.

 

Drastic Measures in Wadena, MN is opening March 15th!
Friday, March 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM CDT

 

Seems Lakeville Brewing Co. is expanding and opening a brewery/pub in Inver Grove Heights: https://discussions.probrewer.com/showthread.php?80731-In-search-of-Lead-Brewer-in-Minnesota

 

City Pages has more on Falling Knife Brewing Co. in Minneapolis. "Expect Falling Knife to be slicing and serving by July or August." Of course, that means I expect it to open in late 2019 to early 2020 (prove me wrong, @FallingKnifeDan!).

 

I'll take the under.

 

@FallingKnifeDan doing All Pints North this year?

 

That would depend on a few things:
1) Where we are in our timeline in relation to opening.
2) Whether or not we get invited.

I love that festival and have poured at it for other breweries previously. If it doesn't work out this year, we're looking forward to it in future years.

 

Flat Earth is changing their name to Saint Paul Brewing next month. They plan to move the taproom to the second floor, expand the Brewing space on the first floor, and add an event center on the third floor.
https://www.twincities.com/2019/03/08/st-pauls-flat-earth-brewing-to-become-saint-paul-brewing/amp/

 

Apparently Castle Danger Brewing is coming up to production limit to be able to sell growlers in their taproom.


Castle Danger Brewery
3 hrs ·

Help us save the growler!
Current MN law restricts breweries producing more than 20,000 barrels annually from selling growlers. Starting October 1, 2019, Castle Danger Brewery will be restricted from selling growlers. Several other Minnesota breweries are approaching the same restriction. The new Growler Cap Bill would allow any brewery with a taproom to sell growlers.
The Growler Cap bill was laid over in the House for possible inclusion in an omnibus liquor bill that may be finalized within the next week. Please contact your House Representatives at your earliest convenience to encourage support of this bill. Find your legislators here (https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/).
If you're a little shy or if this is your first time contacting your representative, here is a sample script for calling and leaving a voicemail:
"Hello, my name is Jane Smith. I'm a constituent from Minnesota, zip code 10001. I don't need a response. I am concerned about losing the ability to buy growlers from Minnesota craft breweries. I strongly encourage the senator/representative to please support the Growler Cap Bill S.F. 1737 (or) H.F. 1802 and vote to include this bill in the omnibus liquor bill. Thank you for your hard work!"
S.F. 1737
Authored by: Senator Housley
Co-authored by: Senators Pappas, Dziedzic, Benson, and Bakk
H.F. 1802
Authored by: Representative Loeffler
Co-authored by: Representatives Becker-Finn, Nash, and Boe
*If you'd like to receive emails from us regarding all growler information, sign up here: https://goo.gl/oipsva

 

This and the ability of MN brewers to be able to sell to go 4Pks/6Pks of fresh beer.

 

More info here. Being able to sell for off-sale any size of prepackaged container between 350 (just under 12 oz.) and 2000 ml (a little over 64 oz.) could be a game-changer for many small Minnesota breweries, which could add small bottling or canning lines without needing to rely on distribution and could give consumers much more convenient packaging options. Keep in mind that Minnesota breweries already are allowed to refill any container (of any size) at the tap at the time of sale, but are limited to 750 ml "bottles" (interpreted to include crowlers) and 64 oz. growlers for prepackaged sales. Most Minnesota breweries, in practice, out of convenience or ignorance, limit their refills to the 750 ml and 64 oz. sizes.

 

I just would like when in CA or FL and many other states , when i like a brew i can go to their in house cooler and take a 4PK home.

 

Yoerg has house-brewed beer on tap. You read that right! Yoerg Hefeweizen is on tap now at the St. Paul brewpub. By my standards, this makes Yoerg officially open as a brewpub (as opposed to just a bar).

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2132845906809792

 

Both the MLBA and the Teamsters are opposed to the law.

This was an email sent to breweries by the Guild that was shared with me

“These testimonies were met with extreme opposition from the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association, and the Teamsters.”

The Teamsters seem to be opposed to any law that supports breweries when it comes up. Almost like they have a built in gag reflex. Protectionism at its best?

It’s all about the horse-trading folks, and all the backroom negotiations that happen prior to and during committee meetings.

 

No Kidding..has to be changed.

 

It's such a shame that the distributor tier has all of the legislative horsepower, it really has been my hope that I could walk into a brewery and buy a 4pk of cans in MN at some point in the near future.

 

It’s actually quite pathetic. Especially since the breweries they constantly battle against are usually small businesses just trying to stay afloat.

Meanwhile, you’ve got distributors like Bernicks who basically have a Pepsi monopoly, or the InBev behemoths, or the old Wirtz house (Breakthrough Beverage) who owns the Blackhawks partnering with the Teamsters saying that local breweries offering more choice for consumers is bad and will hurt the economy and the industry.

It would also be fascinating if some actual facts got out in the public domain. Like the investment, I mean, distro right payments, that certain distro houses made to new breweries with no sales record.

The state of MN has some of the worst agency laws in the country and these protect distributor contractual benefits. This is well known nationally. Simply put, distribution in this state essentially have monopoly powers within their assigned territories. They will fight to the end to protect that.

It’s almost laughable.

 

It is naive to think legislators do not know this. It is all about what will get them votes in the next election. So voice your opinion to them because you know the Teamsters and MLBA are in their ear.

 

Man, I doubt anyone would be that naive. Also, people, if interested, should try to go to a Commerce Committee meeting that happens pre-bill introduction. Fascinating and you’ll see where and how the power moves.