Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

Thanks for that addition.

Flat Earth cans are also out in the market, now.

New brewery update:
Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake has its Grand Opening this weekend.
Friday: Ribbon-cutting at 3, with a DJ and a live band following, along with a food truck.
Saturday: More live music, food truck, and BEER! 2-8 PM.

 

because it doesn't seem to get much attention in the WI forum, anyone have any info on how Barley John New Richmond is coming along?

 

This is from about a month ago:

 

Just an outsider's comment, but I doubt that the reason was market-place competition, since I don't see Summit as being particularly concerned about Finnegans in that regard. More likely it was competing for brewing equipment/capacity. IOW, Summit placed higher priority on launching their own new ale. Such is the hazard of contract brewing, but it just gives Finnegans even more motivation to go independent.

 

In the past, Finnegans had (some) cans filled and packaged at Cold Spring, but as their own contracts for 2015 summer season cans (Boulevard, Lake Placid) may have prevented this, and Summit's own cans have begun to grow in market presence, the larger cans may have been out of the question at either Summit or Cold Spring.

Jackie Berglund addresses Finnegans' growth here -- it's a two year old article, but still insightful.

 

Made it to Grand Rounds in Rochester yesterday. Nice place with decent beer. Nothing was "off" and their coconut stout was excellent.

It's not world class, but it's miles beyond the current offering. Looking forward to Forager and LTS.

 

Was there on Wednesday and thought the beers were ok. Nothing to get too excited about. Food was pretty good.

Visited Waconia Brewing on Saturday and they seem to be in the midst of building a patio or parking lot or something out front which made parking/getting in the front door difficult. My fiancee opined that the beers are "bland" and I'd agree. Another nice, family friendly tap room though. Popcorn, board games, draft root beer, and outlets at the bar to plug in the tablet kept my 8 year old happy for an hour but I'm sure he'd have stayed indefinitely, or at least until they ran out of popcorn and/or soda.

 

Liked the looks of the menu, but didn't get any food. We split a bloody mary made with their horseradish vodka that was pretty strong (I like bloody marys as much as I like craft beer). Seems like a competent establishment that we'll back to.

 

Ahh, thanks for the info! They seemed less than pleased with the city when I asked them why they couldn't do Sunday growler sales as well. Said the city wouldn't let them. Seems silly for the city to hamstring what appears to be a well-run business. You'd think they'd bend over backwards to help a local business succeed. A patio on the roof though with a view of the lake would be pretty awesome.

 

Now that the state has legalized Sunday growler sales, the individual cities have to pass ordinances to allow the practice locally. Duluth voted to approve Sunday growler sales on May 15. Unless another city approved them today, I believe Duluth is the only city to permit Sunday growler sales as of this writing. I recall reading somewhere that the Minneapolis vote is expected by the end of the month, with no indication that it won't pass easily. I suspect it's just a matter of time before almost every city with a brewpub or taproom (or at least one with owners who want to be open on Sundays) gets on board.

For my tastes (in beer and atmosphere), Schram Vineyards, seemingly widely ignored by local beer enthusiasts, is the far better brewery option in the Waconia area.

 

Have never even heard of it. Will check it out and report back. You've yet to let me down

 

Anyone know of a taproom plan in the north loop of Minneapolis on the NW corner of 3rd St N and 5th Ave N? (2 blocks from Fulton)

I walked by after the Twins game Friday and there was a guy going over his plans to his lady friend, how the outside of the building would look in a few months. I asked him a couple questions including the name (which I forgot) but he said he was one of many investors and they hoped to be open by the end of the year.

 

I saw a twitter feed today that said Shakopee is actually voting tomorrow, Tuesday the 19th, on whether to approve Sunday Growler sales. Confirmed on City website that it is on Shakopee city council official agenda tomorrow.

 

Seems stupid that Waconia would not allow growler sales. You are three blocks from the lake and that place will be hopping on Sundays regardless if the beer good/great. Somebody must be mad that they are open.

I have heard good things about Schram. Kind of hard to find, but it looks like a nice outdoor setting.

 

Rochester approved Sunday growler sales yesterday: http://www.kaaltv.com/article/stories/S3800231.shtml?cat=10151

But that was last night, after your post.

 

Looks like Duluth's ordinance goes into effect June 14th, while Rochester's is immediate. The KAAL article says "Rochester followed several other Minnesota cities in passing an ordinance"... Anyone know any others?

 

Some more info here: http://growlermag.com/sunday-growler-sales-now-legal-in-minnesota-pending-city-approval/ so looks like Montgomery approved an ordinance and Montgomery Brewing will be selling this Sunday. Shakopee had it on the agenda last night...

 

I heard Big Lake is looking at a ordinance change as well. Sorta third person but it sounds like Lupulin may get a shot as to sell on Sundays

 

Wow, Roch approved Sunday growler sales in record time...apparently for all those Kinney Creek fans who wanted sour beer available on Sunday too.