With his wavy, tousled hair, generous salt-and-pepper beard, and preferred outfit of jeans and a flannel shirt, Dave Hoops fits the archetypical portrait of a brewer better than that of a businessman. Yet his 25-plus years of experience in the industry have afforded him a wealth of expertise in the business of making beer. He’ll … [ Read more]
Now Open (Or Damn Close): Hoops Brewing
June 22, 2017 by
It’s been over one-and-a-half years in the works, and is the culmination of a highly-successful career in the craft beer industry, but master brewer Dave Hoops is set to open the eponymous Hoops Brewing brewery and beer hall, in Duluth’s Canal Park, in late June. It’s the first foray into brewery ownership for Hoops, a six-time Great … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
What’s the value of a brewery’s stance on mining? Why be concerned with obscure English apples? What’s so important about a chicken sandwich at a stadium? Why does it matter if a basketball team weighs in on current events? The answer to all those questions is the same: it makes a difference. There are people … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016: Dave Hoops of Hoops Brewing
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
There are many reasons we consider master brewer Dave Hoops a Trailblazer in the world of beer here in Minnesota. His resume runs deep: educated at Siebel Institute of Technology; 16-plus years leading the brew crew at the iconic Fitger’s Brewhouse; founding member the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild; and regular beer judge at the annual … [ Read more]
Hoops Brewing to open in Duluth in 2017
October 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Master Brewer Dave Hoops, formerly of Fitger’s Brewhouse, is opening a brewery and beer hall in Duluth’s Canal Park in spring of 2017. The project, a culmination of years of experience and planning, will be called Hoops Brewing, and will occupy the former Timber Lodge Steakhouse space in The Suites Hotel building at 325 Lake … [ Read more]
Bev-Craft aims to help startup breweries hit the ground running
July 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Tim Nelson’s finger has been on the pulse of the craft beer scene on the North Shore since he co-founded Fitger’s Brewhouse back in 1995. In the 20 years that followed, he seized opportunities to bring craft beer to more people through opening other bars and restaurants. Even now, after selling his stake in those … [ Read more]
Former Fitger’s Brewhouse owner and brewer start craft beer think tank
July 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
It seemed only a matter of time before former Fitger’s Brewhouse brewer Dave Hoops and former Fitger’s Brewhouse owner Tim Nelson jumped back into the beer industry. Today, the longtime business associates announced the launch of a craft beer think tank called Bev-Craft. The business will serve as an incubator and consulting firm to breweries, using a “four-pronged approach that encompasses development assistance, … [ Read more]
Major ownership, brewer changes at Fitger’s Brewhouse
September 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A lot has changed in the beer world since Tim Nelson and Rod Raymond opened Fitger’s Brewhouse in 1995 as one of only four breweries operating in the state of Minnesota. Today some big changes for the Duluth brewpub were announced. Nelson is selling his interests in the business to Raymond and head brewer Dave Hoops is … [ Read more]
Food With Beer—From the Brewer’s Perspective
February 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
This edition of Deep Thoughts explores the delicious, delicious interplay between food and beer By Dave Hoops This issue, we are going to touch on beer and food, two topics I sure love. My name is Dave Hoops, Master Brewer at Fitger’s Brewhouse in Duluth, Minnesota. In this issue we address two of my favorite topics: … [ Read more]
Beer Olympics Comes to Duluth: Fitger’s Sochi Series
January 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Fitger’s Brewhouse brings the spirit of competition and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi a little closer to home. Duluth’s very own Fitger’s Brewhouse shows it’s patriotism this winter season with their new Olympic-themed Sochi Series. Making it’s debut at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s Winterfest, happening in St. Paul’s newly renovated Union Depot on January 31st , … [ Read more]
Brewpubs: A Viable Business Model in Minnesota?
August 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Deep Thoughts with Dave Hoops by Dave Hoops I wrote this article for two reasons. First, to help the craft beer lovers of Minnesota understand the beer rules. Second, to support the fact that yes, brewpubs are a viable business model in this state – they just have to work a bit harder within the … [ Read more]
Deep Thoughts with Dave Hoops
December 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
by Dave Hoops, Master Brewer at Fitger’s Brewhouse The Growler is pleased to introduce a new column by Dave Hoops, Master Brewer at Fitger’s Brewhouse. Each issue, Dave will share his thoughts of a brewer. This edition includes Dave’s highlights from his trip to the Great American Beer Festival. For those of you unaware of … [ Read more]
