USA, MN: Defender Brewing slated to open in Chaska next year

A Chaska brewery is slated to open next year, SW News Media reported on November 7.

Defender Brewing is seeking a conditional use permit, and the issue will come before the Chaska Planning Commission on Nov. 8. The Chaska City Council will then vote whether to grant a permit at its Nov. 20 meeting.

Owner Jesse Sams said he hopes to open the business by late spring or early summer of 2018.

The brewery will be in the former Carver County Public Works garage at 850 Chaska Boulevard. Sams is a 1994 Chaska High School graduate and grew up in the Jonathan neighborhood. He lives in Waconia with his family.

When asked why he chose Chaska as the place to start a business he said: “I thought, there’s not a brewery in Chaska and there needs to be one.”

Sams named the brewery, Defender, after his time serving in the U.S. Air Force. “We’re very much going to be local and catering to veterans,” Sams said.

The business will have an outdoor patio that will look over the Minnesota River Valley and Athletic Park, he added.

“Jesse has spent the past nine years home-brewing beer, while also moonlighting at Excelsior Brewing Company, Waconia Brewing Company and Enki Brewing in Victoria in order to learn the craft and gain a true understanding of the brewing business,” city documents stated.

“I have a ton of brewing experience,” Sams said.

Defender products will include India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Kolsch and Porter, according to city documents.

“Defender will handcraft its beers in 20-barrel batches utilizing the latest brewing equipment and technologies combined with traditional brewing methods to ensure consistently excellent taste,” according to city documents.

The brewery will also distribute beer to certain areas in the state.

“Defender products will be available in local bars as well as retail outlets, especially those featuring local products and quality artisan food and beverages,” city documents stated. “The brewery will introduce at least one new product each quarter for the first two years, starting with an Imperial Stout and a seasonal Wheat-style beer.”

06 November, 2017