Category: breweries

The Lowdown on “Basement Brewing”

By on March 11, 2010in breweries, brewpubs

Thanks to Tod Fyten from Mantorville Brewing for taking the time to provide a bit of an explanation of the “basement brewing” legislation that’s been bouncing around (previously mentioned here and here)…

There is a misrepresentation by some that the legislation about brewing below grade will allow folks to brew in their home basement commercially. This is not case.

The bill was introduced on behalf of a non-alcohol beverage producer who wish to produce products below grade in a commercially zoned area.

When the MN Department of Agriculture looked at the rules they realized many current commercially licensed businesses were   in compliance with the law. This included several brew pubs and breweries. Recognizing this, language was introduce to cleaned up the law to bring existing business in compliance with the law.

To become a brewer in MN you will still need to be approved federally by ATF/TTB which now include filing documents via the ATF/TTB for the Department Homeland Security and the FDA. Further you will have to be approved by the MN Department
Public Safety, the MN Department of Agriculture and by your local city government which governs local building, zoning, and  icensing issues. The key word being zoning.

Production breweries are license by the State as a manufacturing business thus local governments required them to operate in industrial zoned areas.

Brewpubs are licensed under the on premise license thus are required to operate in commercial zones, with all the requirement that come with being an on premise business.

Hope this helps everyone better understand the issues.

Tod Fyten
President/Brewer
Mantorville Brewing Company, LLC

Summit: Firkin & Food Info

By on March 11, 2010in breweries

Firkin Fest is a bit more than a week away and Summit’s let the cat out of the bag about what they’re bringing.
Extra Pale Ale dry-hopped with Chinook
Winter Ale dry-hopped with Ahtanum
Oatmeal Stout dry-hopped with Goldings

In the meantime you can enjoy some of their beer baked into bread at Great Harvest, in the form of Oatmeal Stout and Gouda bread, available at all 5 Minnesota locations.

And soon, Izzy’s in St. Paul will be offering Oatmeal Stout Ice Cream.

Flat Earth Thursday Growlers & Stuff

By on March 11, 2010in breweries

Just in time for the hockey tournament we’ll have:
Belgian Pale Ale
Element 115 Lager
Cygnus X-1 Porter
Xanadu – Orange infused Cygnus
Monkey Business – Coconut infused Cygnus
Grand Design – S’more infused Cygnus
Black Helicopter Coffee Stout
Ovni Biere de Garde

Both brewery tours are full for this month. Spots still remain for the April tours. See our web page for more information.

If you are feeling generous please be part of Fork the Fire to help Heidi’s & The Blackbird, two Minneapolis restaurants destroyed in a fire. Go to heavytable.com/fork-the-fire-to-help-heidis-blackbird/ for more information and a list of the 55 restaurants participating in this event.

Cheers!

Finnegans’ St. Patrick’s Pint-a-Thon

By on March 10, 2010in breweries

Finnegans is proud to introduce The St. Patrick’s Pint-a-Thon. By simply pledging to drink Finnegans throughout the month of March, people can help to alleviate poverty in our community with every sip. Lads and lasses who pledge are entered to win a $100 Finnegans pub party. Visit http://www.Finnegans.org/pintathon/ to meet the roller-skating “lepricorn” and riverdancing squirrels and who will encourage you to pledge. You will find a full release and videos at http://pitch.pe/49698