Background
In 2015, the founders of Arbeiter Brewing, Josh Voeltz, Garth Blomberg and Juno Choi, long-time brewers and marketers in the craft brewing industry, began talking about opening a brewery. They could not have imagined what a long strange trip it would be.
After leasing the old Harriet Brewing space in the Longfellow neighborhood in 2018, funding and financing delays set the group back until May of 2019. Construction could not begin until December 2019 due to waiting on construction permits. After a few months of progress, the pandemic entered the scene. In March of 2020, when the Governor shut down most of the businesses, only six crew members were allowed to work on the construction at one time. As a result, the planned 3-4 months to complete the build out took nine months. and brewer Aaron Herman
One month after the COVID-19 shutdown, George Floyd’s death sparked protests that focused on a police station located very near the new brewery. Arbeiter shortly thereafter began delivering crowlers to liquor stores and in December 2020 offered curbside service. On January 12, 2021 Arbeiter opened for business
Their name, Arbeiter (pronounced Ar·bei·ter), comes from the German word for ‘worker’. The guys are firm believers that you get only what you work for.
Experience
When the crew landed in Minneapolis, they were thirsty. Luckily for them, and you, in under 20 minutes they were whisked to Arbeiter brewery courtesy of the Metro Blue Line ($2.50). This hip brewery has an extensive patio, walls covered in murals, and vintage pinball machines to set the mood. We got the house beer – a solid German blonde called Arbeiter – and a farmhouse Saison brewed with peaches called, fittingly, Squishy Peaches. Both were great for a hot day, but Squishy Peaches really stood out as a crisp beer that was tart without being a palate-destroyer.
The house beer was crisp and refreshing, perfect after hours travel. The taproom was hopping, and the convivial environment included kids and dogs, so bring yours along. Also bring your bike: Arbeiter is along a cycle trail and was filled with cyclists during our trip rewarding themselves with a cold beer. No nearby hotels were noted, but given the somewhat isolated location, stay in the city and hit up this brewery on your way to or from the airport. If you want to keep drinking after Arbeiter, Urban Forage Winery and Cider House is a 7 minute walk and features unique creations such as a carrot wine – but this is not a wine blog ☺
When in the area, check out Yoerg Brewing !
