The Surly impact: A 'vibrant scene'

MINNEAPOLIS – A line forms at 3 p.m. on a the first Saturday in January to get into Surly Brewing Co.

The new $30 million, 50,000-square-foot beer hall is at its 275-person capacity. Bouncers usher in new customers only when others leave.

And once customers do get in, there's a two-hour wait to get a table — the brewery also serves a full food menu.

"The first couple weeks has been mind blowing," admits Surly founder and CEO Omar Ansari, who started brewing thanks to a gift of a nut brown ale Northern Brewer stove-top kit.

"It's humbling that so many people showed up. We were lucky to open when half the state wasn't working on vacation for the holidays but thousands have been through already. People have very patient waiting for beer and tables."

The Surly Brewing Co. set out to create a "destination brewery" when it successfully challenged Minnesota laws in 2011.

While the new brewhouse didn't debut until Dec. 19, the atmosphere in the first month closely resembled a rock concert or sporting event. Surly, which started with about 10 employees, now has more than 100.

"This has been my vision for a long time," said Ansari, the son of Pakistani and German immigrants. "We are seeing the impact (of the 2011 legislation). It's creating a new craft beer scene in Minnesota. And its becoming a pretty vibrant scene."

According to Scott Wasserman of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were 13 breweries before the bill. There are now 67 breweries, including 25 that opened in 2014.

The 2011 legal battle deregulated brewing distribution. Minnesota breweries can operate their own taproom.

Previously breweries could offer only samples on site.

"The great thing about the Surly law is it allows a start-up brewery to make their monthly nut sooner," explains James Anderle, the president of St. Cloud's new Lupine Brewing Co. "Selling a glass in a taproom has a higher margin than selling through kegs."

Lupine is one of four Central Minnesota businesses that made brewery plans in 2014. Each plan includes selling the products on-site.

Surly, which brews six year-round beers, will also have outdoor beer garden in the summer. It will also start renting out the brewery's event center in March.

"Then I think we can really shine," Ansari said.

And vision of a "destination brewery" will be further realized.

"It's all so exciting and terrifying at the same time," Ansari joked. "I would like to see the beer hall through the eyes of someone who hasn't seen it yet and just take it all in."

Follow more beer news and the #Beer Fact of the Day on Twitter @jacoblaxen.

Surly impact locally

Central Minnesota, which has a rich brewing history, has breweries taking advantage or planning to take advantage of Surly's 2011 legal victories. In addition to this list is a planned Sauk Rapids brewpub that will serve food and operate as a microbrewery.

• Third Street Brewhouse: The new Cold Spring facility that debuted three years ago opens its taproom weekly from 4-8 p.m. on Friday's and Noon-5 p.m. on Saturdays at the 219 Red River Ave. N location.

Third Street, which will introduce a new coffee beer next week, also regularly hosts taproom events throughout the year. An updated calendar of events is posted on their website.

The next scheduled taproom event is a brunch fundraiser for the Love Your Melon Foundation from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 31. The $35 fee covers a meal, two pints of beer, a t-shirt, a brewery tour and the chance to win prize drawings.

The brunch event is limited to the first 50 who register. For more information call 685-3690.

• Granite City Food & Brewery: The national brewpub chain that started in St. Cloud benefits from the law with growler sales at its 3945 Second St. S. location.

The microbrewery is now experimenting with more seasonal brews including this month's chocolate stout called "John's Mom's Cookies."

• Beaver Island Brewing Co.: The downtown St. Cloud brewery that plans to open at the end of the month will have a 78-seat tap room at the old downtown Bo Diddley's Deli and Mr. Nice Guy stores at 216 Sixth Ave. S.

The taproom's bar top was made out of old bowling lanes from Granite Bowl South and features other Central Minnesota antiques. Beaver Island co-owner Nick Barth testified for the Surly bill as a wine educator for a small portion of the legislation that impacted Minnesota wineries.

• Lupine Brewing Co.: St. Cloud's first full-scale brewery since 1939 recently earned city council approval to open a taproom at the old O'Hara's Brewpub and Restaurant/McCann's Food & Brew facility at 3310 Third St. N.

The trio of Hanover neighbors who run the operation have brewed out of the facility commercially since December. Lupine's vice president of operations Eric Sargent said no specific taproom plans are set as some renovations to the facility are required, but the brewery has specifically explored offering samples and growler sales in the near future.

• St. Joseph taproom: A downtown St. Joseph development is planning to create a family-friendly taproom at 24 College Ave. N. as part of the Bayou Blues Alley Flats project.

Developer Collegeville Companies is in the process of securing a restaurant to be part of the development, which will also include housing in addition to the brewery and restaurant.