With over 185 breweries now pouring their beer in Minnesota, there’s always something new to try. To keep you up to date, we present The Mash-Up—our weekly rundown of new beers and seasonal releases in Minnesota from your favorite local and national breweries. Visit growlermag.com every Friday for the latest or sign up for a … [ Read more]
From garage, to bowling alley, to brewery taproom: Lazy Loon Brewing in Glencoe’s path to opening (and surviving)
July 14, 2020 by
Now Open (Or Damn Close) is supported by underwriting partner Maltwerks, a Midwest malt house focused on genuine relationships in offering quality, locally produced, traceable malt. The Growler maintained full editorial control over the content. Jonathan Lueck’s persistence combined with his passion for crafting—creating beer and woodworking—can be found at Lazy Loon Brewing Company. Lueck’s day … [ Read more]
Now Open: Rendezvous Brewery in Hackensack
July 13, 2020 by
Now Open (Or Damn Close) is supported by underwriting partner Maltwerks, a Midwest malt house focused on genuine relationships in offering quality, locally produced, traceable malt. The Growler maintained full editorial control over the content. Rendezvous Brewery just opened in what can only be described as a quintessential lake town. The town of Hackensack has about … [ Read more]
FINNEGANS nearing $2 million donation milestone, but brewery finances are at a critical point
July 9, 2020 by
Since its inception in 2000, FINNEGANS’ mission statement has been to raise awareness of and combat food insecurity in communities across the Midwest. The company has truly put their money where their mouth is—donating 100 percent of its profits to charity since 2011 in order to line food shelves with locally grown produce. By September … [ Read more]
ONE Fermentary & Taproom Closes Indefinitely
July 6, 2020 by
ONE Fermentary & Taproom closed indefinitely Monday following the resignations of its head brewer Ramsey Louder, BIPOC staff, co-founder Joseph Alton, and taproom manager Kel Perlick. The brewery is facing mounting criticism that its majority owner Sally Schmidt did not do enough to adhere to its mission of being a brewery welcoming diversity and fostering … [ Read more]
Now Open (Or Damn Close): Elm Creek Brewing Co. in Champlin
July 6, 2020 by
Now Open (Or Damn Close) is supported by underwriting partner Maltwerks, a Midwest malt house focused on genuine relationships in offering quality, locally produced, traceable malt. The Growler maintained full editorial control over the content. The city of Champlin has its first brewery—and the response has been overwhelming. Just two weeks after Elm Creek Brewing’s … [ Read more]
Brewing in the Time of COVID: To ensure their survival, Minnesota breweries have had to get creative
July 2, 2020 by
In the time since March 16, when it was announced that Minnesota’s bars and restaurants would only be allowing takeout service, breweries across the state have been in a constant state of flux. Though some breweries saw the storm approaching and started ramping down production in the weeks leading up to the state’s lockdown, the … [ Read more]
Homebrew Recipe: The Artimus “Pils,” a Brewing TV 10th Anniversary Recipe
July 2, 2020 by
Ten years ago, when we all had faster metabolisms and fewer kids, the three of us worked together at Northern Brewer and started a web series titled Brewing TV. Because the internet is forever, you can still find those episodes. The topic was brewing, both home- and pro-. Chip’s friend Art (Abstract Artimus) recorded our … [ Read more]
UPDATED: 56 Brewing owner resigns after allegations of racial harassment against Black employee corroborated by eyewitness
July 1, 2020 by
[Updated: 1:12pm, July 2, 2020]: Kale Johnson, one of the co-owners of 56 Brewing, resigned as CEO on July 2, 2020, in the face of corroborated reports of racial harassment against a Black employee. In a statement on the company’s Facebook page, Johnson says that he is “resigning as CEO effective immediately,” adding “it is … [ Read more]
Ramsey Louder, the first black man to co-own a brewery in Minneapolis, resigns from company
June 26, 2020 by
Head brewer and co-owner Ramsey Louder announced his resignation from ONE Fermentary & Taproom on June 26, saying in a statement on his Facebook page, “I’ve realized that my vision and values differ from those of ownership of ONE.” Louder is the first Black man to co-own a brewery in Minneapolis, and the second in … [ Read more]
Fire at Ursa Minor Brewing temporarily closes taproom and patio
June 26, 2020 by
Ursa Minor Brewing announced the temporary closure of its patio and taproom following a fire that destroyed an outdoor storage area. The fire broke out around 1:30am on July 26—the cause of the fire is currently unknown. The fire consumed the wood-framed storage area on the exterior of the brick building, and destroyed a forklift, … [ Read more]
The Herkimer closing after 20 years of brewing at Lyn-Lake
June 22, 2020 by
One of Minneapolis’ longest-standing brewpubs, The Herkimer, is closing permanently at the end of June, according to an announcement on the company’s social media platforms. Founded in 1999, The Herkimer was a neighborhood staple known for serving house-brewed, traditional German lagers and English ales, even as their home neighborhood of Lyn-Lake changed rapidly around them. … [ Read more]
Minnesota Breweries and Distilleries Cautious, Optimistic about June 1 Reopening Plans
May 22, 2020 by
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’ plans for the phased reopening of bars, restaurants, and places of “public accommodation” announced on May 20 is being met with mixed feelings by the state’s brewery and distillery owners. Starting on June 1, the state will enter into Phase 2 of its four-phase approach which aims to contain the spread … [ Read more]
Bill introduced to temporarily expand on-site sales for Minnesota’s craft breweries and microdistilleries
May 7, 2020 by
After a major public push last week led by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, a bill has been introduced that would temporarily allow breweries and distilleries some retail flexibility. HF 4640, authored by Rep. Liz Olson and Rep. Sydney Jordan, would allow breweries whose taprooms have been closed by executive order to sell six- and … [ Read more]
The Power of Kveik Compels You: Twin Cities breweries have deployed a Norwegian super-yeast in several new releases
April 3, 2020 by
John Garland, Deputy Editor: I’ll admit, even though we’ve already run a story on this yeast, I’m not 100% sold on why it’s so special. Brian, give me the elevator pitch. *terrible Seinfeld voice* What’s the deal with kveik? Brian Kaufenberg, Editor-In-Chief: Kveik is an old family of yeast that had quietly been used in … [ Read more]
