Brewery Updates in Minnesota (2019)

Surly isn't testing the markets, per se, it's utilizing a company called Brew Pipeline which works with popular brands, and allows one-time drops into markets for a handful of pre-selected accounts without having to secure an often iron-clad distribution agreement.
Surly gets requests for beer from markets all over the country (the world, actually) but for us, it doesn't make sense to expand into distant markets with the shipping, and the support money it takes to do-so correctly. Also, with how competitive the market is, it becomes difficult to see brands resonate the farther afield they get from their home turf.
Surly sells most of our beer in MN, and the bulk of that is the Twin City Metro.

National expansion is not in the cards. Selective slow growth is.

 

Thanks for clarification Bill. So Surly is not looking into adding a brewing site in another state as Omar said in the article?

 

I’m hesitant to ever say never, but more likely would be a restaurant model with a pub system rather than a production facility.
Either way, no plans for the immediate future. Craft beer is in a crazy place right now, and we all need to wait and see what the new future looks like.

 

Just curious Bill, then why even bother w/ Brew Pipeline & one time drops if nation wide distro isn't in the Surly plan? Thx.

 

As a low-risk barometer? Always have to be gauging potential new streams when operating a business.

 

@barrybeerdog Exactly this.
Additionally, we have a great relationship with some existing businesses (Total Wine for example) that have stores in states where we currently don;t operate, so it's fun to get them beer without signing to a full-on distribution agreement.
Distributor agreements and franchise laws make it VERY difficult to change dance partners in the future. In many cases, if you're not happy with a partnership, once the ink dries on a contract there's very little you can do to change it. Working with Brew Pipeline allows us to also test the waters with potential partners and see how it goes. Basically it's a win-win for the brewery. It exposes our beer to potential new customers, it allows us to see what demand might look like, and helps to experience the distributor relationship without being locked-in to a full-on agreement.

 

Moorhead is getting another brewery, Swing Barrel Brewing will be located about half a mile west of Junkyard Brewing. They got their tanks last week and hope to open around August/September
https://www.inforum.com/business/re...wners-plan-to-tap-into-Moorhead-brewing-scene

 

Cool, makes sense. Thx Bill

 

Well, add that dump to the list of places I will never visit.

Get woke, go broke.

 

Total Wine. {sigh}

 

Speaking of Surly...



A massive distillery could be coming to the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis .

Named the O’Shaughnessy Distillery, plans are in the works to convert an old warehouse building right next to Surly Brewery's popular taproom, according to city of Minneapolis planning documents. Minneapolis-based Wall Cos. owns the land and is leasing it to cousins Michael and Patrick O’Shaughnessy, who envisioned the project more than a year ago.

The proposed two-story development would be more than 27,000 square feet, have multiple seating areas and more than 120 parking spaces. Located at 600 Malcolm Ave. SE, the distillery hopes to open by next summer.

 

Also if you can do coordinated drops 3- 6 times a year at specific stores and markets, you will have a quick sell thru, people (customers) like new distro and items that are not always available. Its great for Surly and the customers in out markets a win win . An example for us is Weldwerks, sells thru quickly at specific drops in Minneapolis.

 

When I purchased a four pack of a Weldwerks NEIPA at The Cork Dork, it was two months old and definitively tasted like it.

 

A stark difference compared to New Glarus.

 

Right? Who wants to drink 8 week old beer? Hyper fresh! Hyper fresh! Hyper fresh!

 

So what are your thoughts on the average shelf life of a NEIPA?
The Weldwerks beer that I purchased was also oxidized and had turned dark.

 

Unfortunately, there are many factors besides time on the shelf that can impact flavor and create problems. But more than anything are correct (incorrect) packaging practices.

The amount of breweries that have canning lines or use mobile packaging companies, but have piss poor QC methods in place, is mind blowing. A symptom of industry over-growth.

My guess - those cans were an O2 utopia and have been kept warm through the district chain. Perfect recipe for some cardboard cake topped with sherry.

 

Can anybody confirm if 12welveyes closed or is this just a Facebook beer people trolling?

 

According to their Facebook page, Lake of the Woods Brewing opens today at 11AM.

 

That's the long term risk they have chosen to take.