Fitger’s Owners to Open Brewpub in Mpls.’ North Loop
Yet another brewery is preparing to open in Minneapolis—and for many Minnesota craft beer drinkers, this one has a familiar name.
Rod Raymond and Tim Nelson, co-owners of Fitger’s Brewhouse in Duluth, are expanding their business with a new brewpub in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood, according to a Star Tribune blog.
They are reportedly purchasing the building at 107 Third Avenue North, which previously housed the Trocaderos nightclub.
They plan to open the new location in late fall or early winter, and while few details have emerged, the owners told the Star Tribune that the Minneapolis brewpub will “be a neighborhood place, like the Brewhouse” in Duluth.
The brewpub will likely feature six to eight house-brewed ales and live music; the new layout will incorporate the former Trocaderos stage. The redesign might also include outdoor seating and “a rooftop component.” The menu is not yet finalized, but it will probably include pizzas and Fitger’s popular wild rice burger, according to the Star Tribune.
Raymond and Nelson also own the Burrito Union restaurant and Redstar nightclub in Duluth, and they opened Tycoons Alehouse & Eatery in the city last year. Those businesses also serve Fitger’s beer.
Due to high demand for brewing equipment, the Fitger’s owners told the Star Tribune that they intend to initially import beer from their Duluth brewery until establishing their own brewing operations at the Minneapolis location.
That high demand for brewing equipment comes as no surprise, given the growing number of breweries recently opened or gearing up to open in the Twin Cities. Most recently, 612Brew announced plans for a brewery and taproom in Northeast Minneapolis.