USA, MN: Great Waters Brewing Company to close its doors on November 18
When Sean OByrne opened Great Waters Brewing Company in 1997, the brewpub scene in Minnesota was pretty slim. Now, there are more than 150 craft breweries in the state. But there will be one less after this weekend, when the downtown St. Paul standby closes its doors, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on November 12.
We were one of the first breweries around, and now theres almost one on every corner, like a Starbucks, OByrne said.
Minnesota Wild games, theater at the Ordway and concerts at the newly renovated Palace Theatre have been a boon to the brewery, restaurant and bar in the historic Hamm Building. But its not enough, OByrne said.
Its great for a destination, but everyday, casual customers who want to stop in for a beer now theres one in their neighborhood, he said. And when the theater is dark and the games are away, and theres no one out on the streets because its so darn cold, you still have to pay the bills on those days. Those bills include upgrades to 22-year-old restaurant and brewing equipment that OByrne wasnt prepared to make.
Great Waters bore witness to major changes in the Twin Cities craft brewing world.
At the time we opened up, you could not sell growlers, OByrne said The state Legislature didnt even know what growlers were.
OByrne lobbied for seven years for a change in the law to get approval to sell his beer to-go. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities were ripening for taproom boom. But because Great Waters also serves wine and liquor, it legally cant sell its beer off-premises like competing local breweries can.
OByrne isnt sure what he will do next. But the address is slated to undergo major renovations and turn into a totally different concept in the next three months, he said.
For now, merchandise is flying off the shelves and reservations are filling up for a busy last week. Great Waters officially closes on Sunday, Nov. 18.
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