All posts by Andrew Schmitt

Andrew is just a guy that likes beer. You can usually find him on the twitters or spending time with his family.
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Introducing Bauhaus Brew Labs

A new destination brewery/taproom is opening in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis’ Brew District. At Bauhaus Brew Labs, beer fans will be able to enjoy uniquely crafted, German-inspired beers with a focus on lagers – lighter brews that don’t rely on heaviness for flavor. With these sessionable beers, Bauhaus is looking to become not just another taproom, but a gathering place for friends and family to share stories, ideas, revelry and excitement.

Bauhaus itself is truly a family endeavor, built slowly over years of laughter-filled weekends and holidays full of beers brewed specifically for each occasion. In the fall of 2012, Bauhaus’ founding family made the decision to share their world with others. The company took shape after embracing the tenets of the Bauhaus movement of early 20th-century Germany: blurring the line between work and play while celebrating the joy of art and craft in everyday life.

Focusing on brewing flavorful, intriguing, “forward-drinking” beers, Bauhaus crafts imaginative and unexpected interpretations of iconic beer styles with a primary focus on lagers. President and Head Brewer Matt Schwandt explains, “A lot of the craft lagers available today are very traditional. Bauhaus is looking beyond tradition to reimagine classic lager styles and give them new life. We want to expose beer fans to a whole new kind of lager beer.” With the help of Helms Workshop out of Austin, TX, the Bauhaus visual identity also looks beyond tradition in craft beer.
BauHaus Brewlabs Cans
Among Bauhaus’ core offerings are Wonderstuff Neü Bohemian Pilsner, Wagon Party West Cöast Style Lager and Stargrazer German Style Schwarzbier. Rounding out Bauhaus’ initial lineup is Sky-Five! Midwest Cöast IPA, a full-flavored ale that fuses German and British base malts with experimental hop varieties from around the globe. This rambunctious bunch of beers is the result of intense creativity and an exacting scientific approach that Bauhaus has developed over the years.

The brewery’s 2,000-square-foot taproom, with a future patio area of equal size, will be more than just a place that pours Bauhaus beer. “We’re building a taproom filled with energy and excitement,” says Vice President Lydia Haines. “One night, you might find three of the founders rocking on stage in the Haus band, Viva Knievel, or random strangers coming together on a Rick Astley duet during karaoke night.” Haines adds, “We also want beer fans to be a part of creating the space that they play in, to be involved every step of the way. There will be a big opportunity to do that in the coming weeks.”

In addition to its taproom and future patio, the company has its eyes on production and distribution. “The four Bauhaus core beers will be available to bars and restaurants right out of the gate,” says Schwandt. “We’ll be rolling out twelve-ounce cans around mid-summer.”

“Our brewery is really just an extension of who we are and all the things we love to do as a family,” Schwandt adds. “We’re proud and excited to open our doors, share our work and watch it become your brewery as well.”

Website: http://bauhausbrewlabs.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bauhausbrewlabs
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bauhausbrewlabs
Instagram: bauhausbrewlabs


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Want to own a Minnesota brewery?

Looking to get into the brewing game? You probably are, you and everyone else. Greg Smith at Leech Lake Brewing is looking to move on the other adventures and he is putting his home and brewery up for sale.
Greg Smith Leech Lake Brewing
There is a lot of work, inspections, paperwork, and more hassle than most people imagine when setting up a brewery. This would type of turn-key deal would enable a startup to bypass that mess and move right into the production phase.

Checkout the link to the facebook post below and contact info for serious inquiries.

Have you ever dreamed of owning a brewery? Would you like to live on one of the largest, most diverse lakes in the country? Well, here’s your opportunity to do both.

As stated on LLBC bottle labels… “BREWED AND BOTTLED IN WALKER, MN, BECAUSE PARADISE REQUIRES A BREWERY.” If fishing, water sports, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, cycling, golfing… and killer craft beer all equate to paradise in your mind, then allow me to introduce you to Nirvana.

Leech Lake Brewing Company is available as a turn-key business in which you can take over operations immediately. I will be happy to make historic and projected financial data available, and discuss terms with anyone serious about the opportunity who first signs a non-disclosure agreement.

In addition to the business, our 6 bedroom/4 bath (~3000 sq. ft.) home near the school in Walker is for sale. We’d consider packaging the business and home together if that is of interest. Contact me via brewmaster@leechlakebrewing.com, or at 218-547-4746, if you’d like more information. Cheers!

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Ace Spirits opens whiskey wonderland in Hopkins

Ace Spirits is a brand new store in Hopkins, MN. The new liquor store is a unique concept featuring whisk(e)y and craft beer.
Ace Spirits
Featuring you say? Yes. Featuring, as in every whiskey available in Minnesota. That is a lot of whiskey. utopiasTo show just how serious they are about whiskey Ace Spirits is having a legendary whiskey giveaway contest. Just how legendary? Click the link for full details, but names like Pappy Van Winkle 20 Yr, George T. Stagg, and Eagle Rare 17 Yr Rye should pique your interest.

The whiskey and craft beer market has been exploding and while there are other specialty craft beer stores, no one has given whiskey the focus it needs and deserves.
-Louis Dachis, Ace Spirits

No good liquor store is complete without a well stocked craft beer section. To make sure the beer gets the tender loving care it so deserves they’ve brought in beer veteran Seneca Berg, formerly of Falls Liquor. The new store hosts weekly beer tastings on Friday and Saturday evenings. Harriet Brewing’s Divine Occulust is currently on tap. And keep an eye out for special beer events like this Utopias tasting.
Ace Spirits
It is worth mentioning that Ace Spirits has a great online setup for shopping from home. As I type this I’ve already put one bottle of WL Weller Antique Bourbon in my digital shopping cart and I’m browsing the selection of American rye whiskey. Think I can have it delivered on a Sunday?

I really dig the Ace Spirits concept of picking one thing and doing it well. Many local liquor stores are freaking out about large liquor retailers moving to the state and edging them out on prices. Ace Spirits doesn’t seem worried about the big competition. Ace is focused on mastering the service and selection of one growing sector of the liquor market. Wine shops mastered this concept a long time ago, some beer stores in town, as well. I can’t believe a whiskey focused store has taken this long.

Ace Spirits
Mon – Thu: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
4 Shady Oak Road #18
Hopkins, MN 55343

Ace Spirits online
Ace Spirits on Facebook
Ace Spirits on Twitter


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Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Sunday sales hearings for brewers only

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Senate Commerce and House Commerce Committees heard several bills related to liquor, wine, and beer in Minnesota. Chairs of the commerce committees tend to only want to hear bills that are mostly free of controversy and contention, so it is no surprise that a full repeal on Sunday liquor sales ban wasn’t heard. Understandably, it can be hard to find support for a bill when committee members and legislators are consistently lobbied to keep pre-prohibition era laws in place by special interest groups and municipal liquor stores.

Controversy, special interests, and paid lobbying aside, it is disappointing that neither the House Commerce Committee or Senate Commerce Committee opted to hear one of the less controversial versions of the various Sunday Sales bills that would have given local jurisdictions a “local option” or a choice to opt-in / opt-out of Sunday liquor off-sale commerce. It is important to remember that under these bipartisan authored bills, the possible legalization of Sunday liquor sales would never force a store to be open whether it is a corporate giant, Mom & Pop (anyone sick of that term yet?), or municipal store. While not an ideal situation, a local option would allow Sunday sales regulations to be tailored to fit the specifics needs and wants of local jurisdictions.

We can speculate on the reasons why a bill to repeal Sunday liquor sales didn’t get heard. Maybe the paid professional lobbyists are too good, perhaps legislators didn’t hear from enough consumers, or maybe some legislators just don’t give a damn about voters. Whatever the case is, a repeal on Sunday liquor sales won’t be moving through commerce the commerce committees this session.

On a more positive note, small brewers in Minnesota were given 3 positive hearings. Bills allowing taprooms to open on Sundays, allow growler sales on Sundays, and allow brewers the option to fill growlers from other brewers were all laid over for possible inclusion into a larger liquor omnibus to be voted on sometime in the future. Of the 3 brewer bills that were heard only one had a similar version heard in the House committee. That means that a conference committee will be required to work out any possible differences between Senate and House versions of the omnibus liquor bills.

We are really excited to move forward with Sunday growler sales. I look forward to a day in the near future when we can host beer lovers from near and far in our new Marshall, MN taproom and send them home with a growler of locally brewed craft beer to enjoy with friends.
-Dustin Brau, Brau Brothers Brewing Brewmaster and CEO

It is great to see Minnesota craft brewers afforded the options already available to their farm winery counterparts. The easing of these restrictions will undoubtedly help Minnesota craft brewers well into the future.

S.F. 2374
HF 2513		 Reinert
Swedzinski		 Small brewers growlers sale on Sundays authorization.
Sunday liquor sales of growlers by small brewers allowed.
(matching language non-companion)
S.F. 2375 Reinert Sunday sales at taprooms authorization.
(house companion not heard)
S.F. 2029 Reinert Malt liquor brewers growler refill authorization.
(house companion not heard)
S.F. 2014
HF 2200		 Pappas
Atkins, Hoppe, Loeffler		 Microdistilleries sales expansion authorization.
Microdistillery sales expanded. (non-matching language companion)

Video of Senate Commerce Testimony
Audio of House Commerce Testimony

Also in the great news category is potential progress for Minnesota microdistilleries. They had a pair of bills laid over that included language allowing for cocktail room (think taproom). Some negotiating is still being worked on to allow microdistilleries to sell bottles of their product. Hopefully this happens soon, Minnesota wineries and breweries sell 750ml packaged versions of their products. Minnesota microdistilleries should have parity.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES CALL TO ACTION

The legislature is quickly approaching the committee deadline.
House and Senate commerce chairs have not yet to added a full repeal version of Sunday liquor sales, or a local option to committee agendas. Passing Sunday sales this session will be an uphill battle if it doesn’t go through a committee.

YOU can get these bills into committee, but you must act fast.

  1. Make phone calls to your legislators.
    Always be courteous, but ask your representatives to support Sunday liquor sales. Ask them to push commerce leadership for hearings. This is an issue Minnesota voters support 2 to 1. It deserves a discussion even if they don’t support with it.
  2. Email your legislators.We have already sent out a form letter on your behalf. Take a minute to explain in your own words why the issue important to you. It doesn’t have to be long, just respectful and sincere.
  3. Ask your legislators to meet with you to discuss the issue.
    Meetings are the most effective and powerful way of communicating with legislators.

Find your Minnesota legislators and their contact information here: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/

Recent news editorials worth discussing with your representatives
End Minnesota ban on Sunday liquor sales, but with limited municipal flexibility
Article by: EDITORIAL BOARD , Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/250402521.html

OUR OPINION: Let Minnesota liquor stores open on Sundays
Grand Forks Herald
http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/our-opinion-let-minnesota-liquor-stores-open-sundays

ANNOUNCEMENT: ST. PATRICK’S DAY REPEAL THE SUNDAY LIQUOR BAN RALLY AT FIRST AVE
Join MN Beer Activists, talented local musicians, supporting politicians, and special guests for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration to raise awareness and raise a pint.
http://first-avenue.com/event/2014/03/stpattys

Let’s end our legacy of prohibition. It is time Minnesota stopped sending money over the borders. Pick up the phone and make that phone call. We look forward to seeing you St. Patrick’s Day evening!

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Brewing is Booming in Saint Paul

City of Saint Paul Communications Services has released a video focusing on Saint Paul’s existing and growing craft beer scene.

Featured in the video are Great Waters, Summit, Tin Whiskers, Burning Brothers, and Urban Growler. Joe Alton, from The Growler Magazine even makes an appearance. Bang Brewing and Flat Earth must have been busy the day they were filming. Maybe they will be included in the next video along with a few craft distillers like 11 Wells.

The economic climate in Saint Paul is just a nice as NE Minneapolis. A growing number of craft brewers agree, the weather isn’t bad at all.

If you are considering opening a brewery contact the City of Saint Paul’s Planning and Economic Development Department at 651-266-6605.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Several Sunday liquor sales bills introduced as committee deadline approaches

Late last week Senator Roger Reinert (D) and House Deputy Minority Leader Jenifer Loon (R) held a press conference to introduce several bills to repeal Minnesota’s Sunday off-sale liquor prohibition.

The proposed Sunday liquor sales bills cover a wide range of options. The bills are designed to give legislators some form of Sunday prohibition repeal legislation they are comfortable with. It is 2014, it is time some form of action is taken to stop sending Minnesota money over state lines.

The most entertaining bill is the one that would restrict the sale of liquor on Saturdays. If 7 days a week are bad, and 6 days are better, 5 days must be great. Right? Right!

full spectrum of Sunday liquor prohibition repeal

One bill that seems to be getting a lot of traction is a Rep Sarah Anderson’s (R) bill to allow taprooms to sell growlers on Sundays. While grolwer sales on Sundays would be a great benefit to some taprooms, it wouldn’t help any of the off-sale retailers, nor would it help consumers that don’t live near a taproom. That is, if their local taproom would even choose to be open. It is all about having that choice, isn’t it?

The question still remains if any of the Sunday sales bills will get heard in the House Commerce Committee at all. We met with House Commerce Chairman Rep. Atkins (D) last week and would not assure any hearings. If you want a Sunday liquor sales to get a hearing NOW is the time to contact your reps and ask them to make sure it gets a fair shot. The deadline to get heard in committee is fast approaching 3/21. We know that polls show Minnesota voters support Sunday liquor sales 2 to 1. Even Representative Atkin’s own Facebook poll showed lopsided results in favor of repealing the Sunday sales ban.

[fb_embed_post href=”https://www.facebook.com/State.Rep.Joe.Atkins/posts/594718200576715/” width=”500″/]

Let’s hope some form of action takes place. Sunday Liquor sales work in 38 other states. If states like Wisconsin and Georgia can figure out Minnesota should, too.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Duluth Senator Roger Reinert to host a Sunday liquor sales twitter conversation

#SundaySalesMN #ChatWithRoger

Duluth Senator Roger Reinert (D) @RogerForDuluth has announced plans to host a twitter conversation on Sunday liquor sales Thursday afternoon. The conversation will start at 12:15pm and use the hashtag #SundaySalesMN.

Feel free to jump in ask Roger all kinds of related questions. Invite your favorite brewpub, liquor store, taproom, or even opponent to join the conversation. Sunday liquor sales will mean added jobs, revenue, and convenience for Minnesota. Remember to be courteous, and let’s have some real talk!
#chatwithroger #SundaySalesmn