USA, MN: Falling Knife Brewing Co. being launched by three friends in Minneapolis
For several years, three friends Tom Berg, Andy Rutledge and Dan Herman spent a lot of time talking about launching a brewery, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on September 30.
Their conversations escalated, and escalated, said Herman. Finally, we just looked at each other and said, Were really doing this, arent we? And we all said, Yeah.
They sure are. Their Falling Knife Brewing Co. is opening in mid-October, but on Tuesday, October 1, beer drinkers can get a preview of their handiwork, when Tilia chef/owner Steven Brown hosts a gathering at his Linden Hills restaurant.
The event is no coincidence: Herman spent eight years behind Tilias bar.
Its going to be a really cool moment to see our beer at Tilia, where I worked for forever, said Herman.
Starting at 9 p.m., three kegs will be tapped: Cloud Surfing, a Hazy Double IPA; Ghost Step, a coffee sweet stout done in collaboration with neighboring UP Roasters, and Freischutz, a Northern German pilsner.
The trio has taken over, expanded and transformed the former NorthGate Brewing facility, located in an industrial park in northeast Minneapolis. The 149-seat taproom will feature table service a rarity in Minnesota and is being finished with custom-made furniture by Minneapolis-based Studio Elwira.
The brewerys 5,000 square feet of production space is already in use; brewing started in July.
Berg is chief brewing officer, Rutledge is chief executive officer and Hermans role falls into sales, marketing and public relations.
And, apparently, delivery driver as well, he said with a laugh, as he took a moment to talk while dropping off kegs at Grumpys for a preview. This is the first day that weve actually sold beer to a place. I get to actually have one in a little bit.
Head brewer Robbie Denaway, a Surly and Fair State veteran.
The three of us were in conversations about, Who is the next person who should get a shot a brewing? said Herman. Robby is bright and dedicated and driven, and were so excited to have him.
More previews to check out include Pub 42 in New Hope starting at 4 p.m. on Oct. 2, Palmers Bar in Minneapolis starting at 4 p.m. on Oct. 3, Butcher & the Boar starting at 4 p.m. on Oct. 5 and the Hopkins location of Pizza Luce starting at noon on Oct. 6.
When the brewerys taproom debuts on Oct. 18, itll be set up for 16 beers. Five are ready now, and another four to five should be good to go by opening date.
As for the Falling Knife name, Its an old kitchen term, said Herman. A falling knife has no handle, you just let it drop, and you pick it up later, you dont do the risky thing. But weve decided to take the risk. People say the market is saturated, and were going into a place where another brewery didnt last. But were doing it. We know were not going to get everything right, that well take a few licks. But were having fun with it, and thumbs up on that.
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