Brewery Updates in Minnesota (2019)

Well that was fast: Oldenburg Brewing Company, the Belle Plaine brewpub that opened just last month, along with an associated spirits brand, already is for sale. "Reason for sale-owners have new interests."

 

I stopped over there the second week they were open and it was what you'd expect from Belle Plaine, minimal menu, prices were pretty low, beers were served in pint glasses, not tulips.

We had a flatbread pizza and a pretzel and both were decent. The craft spirit line is kind of confusing, from what I understand they don't make the spirits, a distiller in the metro makes spirits, mixes them into cocktails, and then Oldenburg sells them as a pre-made drink options.

I had an IPA and my wife had an oatmeal stout and both were solid. I'd think they'd get a lot more business downtown Belle Plaine than the nearby u4ic, just given location and beer quality, but maybe it's not what they expected right off the bat?

 

First beer on their list is a $9 IPA. At least you can get a Mich Golden for $4 tho.

 

True, but the $4 craft all day every day beers that I think @BeerDrinkinGuy was referring to are farther down the list. They appear to be 4 beers (a porter, an IPA, a red ale, and a pils) that are re-branded beers made by Ska Brewing and Millstream Brewing. IOW, kind of "store brand" beers. Those prices are not typical of their other craft taps, though.

 

That's curiously odd...

 

How low?

 

That's across the street from my gym. Needless to say...if this is true...I'll be going to the gym A LOT more.

 

$5 a pint - rock bottom pricing for us outstate folks.

Giesenbrau in New Prague gets $6 a pint for regular beers and $7+ for specialties and Roets in Jordan gets $6 a pint for regular stuff, $6 for 12oz on the specialties. I don't remember what u4ic costs, I haven't been back since they opened.

 

Triggered

 

Blackstack got some new foeders

 

Looks like Fridley is getting its first brewery. Forgotten Star Brewing will be located in the Northern Stacks development.

https://www.instagram.com/forgottenstarbrewing/?hl=en

 

A little birdie told me this spot could be a brewpub with red cow food and the beers brewed in house by a certain Danish brewer(y). Would be that brewers first place in the Midwest.

 

What??? You've never heard of a cheese Danish?

Or, maybe they're using Danish blue cheese on the burgers?

 

A little birdie told me your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries.

 

More detailed info on the new Forgotten Star Brewing Co .

Brewery opening at Fridley's Northern Stacks development this fall

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincit...wery-opening-at-fridleys-northern-stacks.html

 

Trout city brewing in Preston,MN had a soft opening this weekend just serving guest taps and be doing their own beer shortly

 

So people thought 12welve Eyes had a goofy millennial name but this u4ic gets a pass ?

 

I've been highly critical of those millenials at u4ic. I've called it the worst brewery I've ever encountered. I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I found it vastly improved upon a recent visit, brewing broadly acceptable and generally unflawed although still underwhelming beer. I wouldn't put it close to the worst in the state anymore. I know that's a backhanded compliment, but I encourage people to give it a second chance.

I also visited the nearby Oldenburg and thought the beer was off to a pretty good start. I enjoyed the Old West saloon atmosphere of the venue as a change of pace, although I'll knock it as excessively spartan and severe, and I question whether it's the sort of joint at which people would want to become regulars. The ProBrewer for-sale ad has been taken down; I'm not sure what that indicates. I know some members of the local beer-oriented media read this thread; I think a just-opened new family-run brewpub (with an associated spirits line) that almost immediately was listed for sale is worthy of some investigation and a story.