USA, MN: Loons Landing Brewery to become Savage's first brewery this spring

A trio of experienced homebrewers are gearing up to launch Savage's first brewery this spring, The Business Journal reported on February 3.

Loons Landing Brewery was originally slated to open in January at 12925 Eagle Creek Parkway, but it has hit snags in getting its brewing equipment from overseas. It's now expected to open before summer, with its founders currently targeting a May 7 opening.

Co-owner and CEO Amy Johnson and her husband, Scott, have been brewing at home for about a decade. Their friend, Paul Ough, joined the team a couple years later, and the three of them decided they wanted to open a brewery together some day. They started looking for real estate off and on but only really got serious about making it happen right before the pandemic hit.

The trio had their eye on the space that's now the home of Loons Landing for several months before they signed a lease in September. They waited until Savage officials amended the city's zoning ordinance to all for breweries before making it official.

"The support from the city of Savage and the community has been overwhelming," Johnson said. "We have people volunteering to come in and help us do grunt work. It's phenomenal, the community is really wanting this space open."

While they wait for equipment — a seven-barrel brewing system with five fermenters and three brite tanks — to come from China, the three owners are renovating the 11,000-square-foot former office, doing much of the work themselves. They're planning 9,100-square-foot tap room, a 1,800-square-foot production area, several rentable rooms for private events, a designated kids' room and a movie theater room. A patio will eventually be installed for outdoor seating, likely sometime this summer or fall.

The entire brewery will also be available for rent for private events. Johnson said they're already talking to a couple of brides who are interested in hosting their weddings there.

In the coming weeks, the team plans to start building a 30-foot bar and fill the taproom with tables, chairs and other fixtures.

Loons Landing will initially have four beers on tap when it opens and quickly boost their offering to 12 varieties. It will also eventually sell crowlers of beer and make and sell hard seltzer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks. Food won't be on the menu at Loons Landing, but guests will be able to bring their own, order delivery to the brewery or grab something from a food truck.

The brewery has a VIP program offering members free merchandise, money off their tabs and access to the private rooms at no cost.

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