Utepils Brewing Breaks Ground on New Production Facility

Utepils Brewing Company is now under construction at the former Glenwood-Inglewood bottling plant. Construction crews will be working throughout the summer to get the equipment installed and taproom ready to open by late summer, bringing 15 new jobs (full-time equivalents, FTEs) to the Northside when it opens, growing to 28 FTEs in year two and an anticipated 40 FTEs when the 50-barrel brewhouse is operating at full production.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Utepils President Dan Justesen said, “Today is a dream come true for me and for our investors who had a passion and a taste for brewing European-styled craft beer in Minneapolis. With our build out now underway, we will be bringing exceptional quality craft beer and new jobs to the Bryn Mawr and Harrison neighborhoods of North Minneapolis.”

Plans for the European-inspired craft brewery were approved by the City of Minneapolis in early April, thanks to the support of Minneapolis City Council Member Blong Yang who added, “I am excited about the addition of Utepils Brewing to the Northside. The vision for the Glenwood-Inglewood/Fruen Mill site, which includes Utepils, is coming together. We need more businesses like Utepils to commit to Minneapolis and I am making sure the city is doing everything we can to make this project and others here a success.”

Upon completion of construction, Utepils Brewing will feature a first of its kind Bavarian-style brewhouse from German equipment company Esau & Hueber and a 150+ seat taproom. Phase two will include a large outdoor patio area bordering Bassett Creek.

Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins lives nearby and is also an enthusiastic supporter of the new brewery. Commissioner Higgins commented, “Beer, Bassett Creek, and Theodore Wirth Park all in one place! Utepils will become the go-to brewery for fun in a beautiful setting — and great beer!”