USA, MN: Construction of Island City Brewing Co.’s taproom and brewery underway in Winona

Craft beer will gain another foothold in the Winona area, with construction on a new taproom and brewery under way, Winona Daily News reported on July 16.

Island City Brewing Co. on Winona’s riverfront has its sights set on fall for an opening date. Partners Colton Altobell and Tommy Rodengen have been working since April on their new space at 65 E. Front St., in the unused portion of the Jefferson Pub and Grill building.

Altobell, a Winona native, said the two spent about six months looking at locations and deciding if it would be a good fit for the area. After deciding that yes, people in Winona would like more craft beer, the pair has been moving forward with creating a space and niche for their business.

Altobell said they’re trying to bring craft beer to larger audiences and “cast a wide net.”

“There’s a beer for every pallet,” Altobell said. “I think people are just discovering that.”

Both owners have previous brewing experience. Rodengen worked in several capacities with Lucid Brewing, now named Northloop BrewCo. and located in Minneapolis. Altobell also worked at Lucid Brewing and with Lakes and Legends Brewing Co. in Minneapolis.

Island City Brewing Co.is planning for a 15-barrel brewhouse, which would produce 30 kegs a batch. Aiming for a batch a week once they get into full production, they could produce 800 barrels a year.

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.

Meanwhile, Island City Brewing is waiting on licensing at all governmental levels as construction continues, but the time period has been expected, and they’re using it constructively.

“What that really does is give us more time to dial in our recipes,” Altobell said.

The plan for the 5,000-square-foot space is to be split about halfway between the tap room and brewery.

They’re hoping to serve both beer and soda, and create a family-friendly environment, Altobell said. And rather than creating just another bar, Altobell said, the hope is to establish a place where visitors learn about and try new brews and tastes.

“Where beer can be a cultural experience instead of just a drinking experience,” Altobell said.

24 July, 2016