The pair would also like to get into distribution of kegs and cans fairly quickly, and establish a few flagship brews to see how they take in the community.

Altobell said he had been fermenting the idea of opening a taproom and brewery since Minnesota legalized it in 2011 after years of negotiation. The so-called “Surly Bill” — named for the Minneapolis brewery that lobbied heavily for it — allowed breweries to sell by the pint on sight.

Since, conditions in the state have become much more conducive to the craft beer business.

In 2015, the state, Winona County and the city of Winona all approved the Sunday off-sale of growlers by brewpubs and taprooms. Growlers are usually 64-ounce containers, but can be in smaller sizes as well.

The wider community may get a chance to interact with the new brewery at the first Big Muddy Brew N’ Que, a sanctioned Kansas City barbecue competitive event that’s sponsored by the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, set for Sept. 4.

Island City Brewing Company is one of the sponsors, and while they may not be brewing by Labor Day weekend, Altobell said that with the proximity to the event in Levee Park, they may be showing off the new location.