E-Malt.com News article: USA, MN: Enki Brewing awarded $44 thousand grant for expansion

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded Enki Brewing company of Victoria a $44,000 grant in partial support of its brewery expansion project, Chanhassen Villager reported on February 10.

This expansion will nearly triple Enki’s production capacity and expand its markets. As part of this project, Enki will also implement quality assurance initiatives to uphold product quality and consistency. Together, these initiatives will allow ENKI Brewing to expand its immediate community to elsewhere in the state and sell beer in bottles. This additional capacity will also enable Enki to diversify its product assortment promoting Minnesota grown hops and barley.

“We are extremely appreciative of this grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture,” said John Hayes, ENKI Brewing president, “and are committed to promoting the use of hops and grains grown by Minnesota farmers. All of us at ENKI wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our community leaders for their letters of support which were so crucial in the MDA’s assessment of our grant proposal.”

The Value Added Grant Program expands markets for Minnesota products and are funded through the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program. Value Added Grants are directed toward farmers, agricultural businesses, cooperatives and entrepreneurs with new business or market plans, diversification or expansion goals. ENKI Brewing is one example of the dozens of public and private partnerships supported through AGRI annually.

“This is exactly the kind of success story we like to see from the local investments we make using our Value Added Grants,” said MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “It’s a great return on investment for all Minnesotans and its adding value to more than just business at ENKI Brewing. Hops and barley farmers also benefit from the use of these ingredients grown right here in Minnesota.”

ENKI Brewing was established in Victoria’s historic cooperative creamery building in June 2013. Owners Dan Norton and John Hayes, both Victoria residents, assembled a team of employees including an award-winning brew master, accomplished sales person, and taproom manager with extensive background in bar/restaurant management.

Enki has an annual production capacity of about 1,200 barrels prior to expansion. In its first 12 months of operation Enki produced about 500 barrels of beer and is on track to produce more than 1,000 barrels during its second 12 months.


11 February, 2015