Breweries opening in Minnesota 2015/2016

I didn't realize LTS is open now. I've updated my list (not the one above, the one on my computer)

 

Forager Brewery out of Rochester also seems to be ALMOST ready from opening, but they still are shying away from anything beyond a "soon" or summer 2015 opening. It looks like a nice place and a cool patio from what I have seen in social media.

 

If they don't have a date yet, I think "Summer of 2015" is a pretty inaccurate term for when they're going to open.

I was really impressed by their website, for whatever that's worth.

 

I think they opened midweek, last week.

 

Here's an article on the "non-peak" of Craft Beer from a local business/new media source.

Features input from both Ethan Applen (Lakes & Legends) and Dan Justesen (Bryn Mawr), as well as a focus on established brewing companies/breweries (Lake Monster, 56 Brewing) and up-and-coming projects like Modist Brewwing and the Community Keg House in northeast Minneapolis.

 

Are we our own worst enemy? One of the threats to the continued growth of craft breweries identified in the article is exclusive distributorship contracts with BMC, which will limit the percentage of non-macro beer the distributor can carry. OK, but then the author says this:

"More troublingly, Ebert sees the conglomerates pushing local alcohol distributors toward exclusive distribution deals, which were the norm until recently. Exclusive deals limit how much “outside product” — often from independent craft breweries — distributors can carry. For instance, Anheuser-Busch InBev might require an exclusive distributor to purchase at least 25 percent of its total inventory from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Distributors don’t mind exclusive deals, notes Ebert, because drinkers have “very little brand loyalty to specific breweries in the craft segment,” he says. “They’d rather buy four six-packs from four different breweries than four six-packs from the same brewery.” By contrast, macrobrew drinkers tend to stick with a specific label, like Coors Light or Miller High Life, enabling distributors to better predict sales volumes and revenues."
​

Note the second paragraph... our chasing of the latest & lack of brand loyalty means the distributor is not particularly hurt by these exclusive contracts! (At least, so the author claims...)

 

I agree and disagree with that section. I think it's obvious that craft drinkers don't just walk in and buy a case of the same beer every Thursday like certain friends of mine do with their swill of choice. But, it shouldn't necessarily be much harder to predict sales trends among the craft segment. It's all about getting ahead of the trend.

You can predict based on past similar releases - i.e. - New TG IPA - better stock up, you're gonna sell a lot.

Or you can predict based on last year's release if it's a brand that does seasonal release - you should know how much Big Lushious you sold the previous year and can order based on that information for this upcoming year.

The problem is beer buyers aren't willing to do that next level research to predict these trends. I'm reminded of going in to the MGM in Chaska after Starkeller dropped. I asked the manager if they had it or were going to be getting it. He told me no, because sour beers don't sell and if I wanted Schell's I could buy the Dawn of Aurora or Cypress still sitting on the shelf from previous releases.

 

And here I thought those kids were going to make that place work out. Never would have thought it was bought with other ideas in mind.

 

Nice article on upcoming breweries on The Line Media.

http://www.thelinemedia.com/features/peakcraftbeer08112015.aspx

 

Addendum:
(I'll leave this even though I now see Chaz already linked to it)

 

Are any of the upcoming breweries going to specialize in farmhouse or sour beers? We are lacking in that department

 

I went to the a heritage Preservation Council Meeting. The first third was about the historic designation of five limestone buildings in St. Paul including The Stone Saloon. That passed unanimously.

Most of the meeting, with a lot of public input, was about the Historic Use Variance for the saloon. In the record is written testimony (all in support) including two letters from outside Minnesota and two more from outside the U.S. Also a petition from neighbors in support with 42 signatures and another against with 13. People did speak against the proposal because they don't want that building to be a bar. Most people spoke in favor.

The Commision voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council grant the variance. This historic use variance will be a first for St. Paul.

Do I get beer karma for sitting through a 3 1/2 hour meeting?

 

Lakes and Legends has indicated that they are going to do farmhouse style.

 

I'm sure that someone here is more tuned-in to that aspect, but here are a few off the top of my head:
Fair State, Indeed, Insight, Dangerous Man, Blacklist, Bent Brewstillery.

@shadetree67 were you thinking of a dedicated, Sour-only brewery? Doubtless there's enough demand for a taproom with such a specific focus, and maybe even a taproom which offers some of those same brands in packaged form through the local andnear-regional range of distribution.

 

I am hoping for a dedicated brewery. Bent is the only one that I have seen bottle their sours with any regularity but I haven't been too impressed with the offerings thus far.

 

Two quick updates for those of you enjoying the Summer Beer Dabbler.

Nutmeg Brewhouse (Burnsville) has a Facebook page.

Imminent Brewing (Northfield) has a logo.

 

What's the status of the project that was looking to go in the former TCF space in Robbinsdale?

 

Yep. It's taken a while for the full scope of the plan to become known, but it almost looks to me as if they will have capacity to brew for more than one pub or location.

Also, it is now distinct from the India Palace restaurant with which it shares a common landlord -- this article describes the situation well: http://sunthisweek.com/2015/05/28/its-all-about-the-beer-for-brewpub-partners/

 

Wicked Wort still has quite a ways to go -- this is from late July: