Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

I was at Lucid for the "Brewer For a Day" event and heard talk of an expansion, but assumed it was at the Minnetonka brewery. A downtown taproom might seem like it would make them just one of many, but (with growler sales, food trucks, maybe even with a small performance stage) it could also be a great mix for the downtown crowd, and good marketing, too.

I had heard the name mentioned in passing, and it looks like it's been in the works for a little while.

 

At the very least, Wayzata Brew Works was postponed. I can't find anything, either.

Website doesn't have any information yet: http://www.tavernbrewery.com/index.php/beers

New BIP:
Montevideo - Talking Waters Brewing Co. Not much information, but gotta give 'em credit for keeping it quiet so far.

 

The website does have on the 'Our Story' page: "the bar will have 24 beers on tap, two of which will be their own brew" so I don't know how much they will brew.

The Tavern Brewery Facebook page was updated with some pictures and states that today is their Grand Opening starting at 11am but no mention if they have any of their own brews on tap or what they are.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tavern-Brewery/813831835330941

 

Right. Two house-brewed plans is not too many, but still may not have been something which they could have on-hand for their initial opening.

When first learning of their plan I assumed they'd double-up on lines from their cold box, so that brands offered at the main bar (domestic premium and imports, as well as Minnesota-brewed Grain Belt & Summit, as well as regional Craft like the ubiquitous Leinenkugel and Blue Moon) would also be offered in the new brewery space.

 

The folks at Schram have a fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants, highly entrepreneurial spirit that I can't help but admire, even by the standards of the brewery world in which those traits are common. They move fast, and they make things happen. Of the approximately 60 brewpubs and taprooms in the Twin Cities area currently open, Schram would make my top 20 in terms of beer quality (albeit at the lower end of that top 20). With its great indoor and outdoor spaces, it would make my top 5 in terms of setting/atmosphere/décor/etc., along with Bang, Bauhaus Brew Labs, Dave's BrewFarm, and Surly, in some order (moto-i probably would sneak in there if sake brewpubs count). I agree with your implication; it's outstandingly female-friendly, with its bucolic surroundings and refined winery vibe. I still need to give its wine (and mead) a try; every time I've been there I've been happily distracted by the beer.

 

I asked Tavern Brewery about their own beer via email to the Lakeside Tavern email address and got this response:
"We Are going through Test batch process as we speak..Tavern Brewery/ Lakeside Tavern is all open ..We have 24 beers on tap now and will be making 1 year round beer and 4 seasonal's that should be up and running by end summer...We are doing this to make sure we make the highest quality beer possible before we serve to the public"

 

Here is some more info on the India Palace brewpub
http://www.bizjournals.com/twinciti...plus-brew-pub-planned-for-burnsville.html?ana

 

I checked out Big Axe on the 16th. Beer was good. I really enjoyed the wheat and the red. I didnt have any food but I saw the burger come by a few times and it looked tasty.

 

I checked out Big Axe this weekend and thought the Chocolate Oatmeal Stout was pretty good, wasn't impressed with the IPA.

 

For those keeping track of developments on the other side of the St. Croix, this is from a new page from an familiar name:

 

Off topic slightly but thought I would share this link with fellow Twin Cities people as these guys will have a beer garden . Mini Golf, Art , and Beer ...I like it ! Incidentally this is also where new brewery Black Stack brewing are taking on a level of this massive complex and building their taproom.


Check out there cool space -

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/can-can-wonderland#/story

 

Fascinating...

It looks like breweries in Minneapolis won't be able to sell growlers on Sunday until June 14th. However, Insight Brewing will be selling growlers of Piccolo IPA this coming Sunday and its completely legal.

The deal is that Picollo is their new session IPA. It's only 2.9% alcohol. I'm drinking one now and it's very tasty. It's got a lot of hop flavor. It's not the best IPA I've ever had or anything, but it's much better than you might expect.

See some of you here on Sunday?

 

I'm not sure I understand. You either have a license to sell beer to go, or you don't. There has never been an alcohol limit involved in the definition.

 

In Minnesota? You've never heard of 3.2 beer? There has always been an alcohol limit here.

I don't know exactly how this pertains to growlers, but they've checked with the appropriate authorities and have been told they're good to go,

 

Ummm, I helped pass the original growler law for brewpubs. I have an idea how/why the law was written as it was. For a brewery to sell offsale, alcohol content was never a consideration.

I'm not doubting what you heard, btw. It just doesn't jive with how the law is written. But if the state says go, more power to Insight.

 

I'm sure you know your thing, but I suspect this loophole (for lack of a better word) is by accident. Just as gas stations can sell 3.2 beer on Sunday so can a brewery.

 

Well, gas stations actually need a 3.2 license to do just that. However, perhaps this applies

Subd. 3.Exemption.
(a) Any person licensed to sell intoxicating liquor at on-sale shall not be required to obtain an on-sale license under this section, and may sell nonintoxicating malt beverages at on-sale without further license.

(b) Any person licensed to sell intoxicating liquor at off-sale shall not be required to obtain an off-sale license under this section, and may sell nonintoxicating malt beverages at off-sale without further license.

I think b) is satisfied in this case.