Cool stuff from Cold Spring Brewing: Announces director of supply chain, receives historic business award

We weren’t familiar with Cold Spring Brewing Co. till last week, so our apologies to its rich history and culture. Founded in 1857, Cold Spring Brewing has remained a fixture in the little Minnesota town that inspired its name for like a really, really long time. Apparently, the springs in Cold Spring contain some of the purest water in North America, at least that’s what the press release says. In fact, last week we received not just one, but two press releases out of the blue from Cold Spring Brewing. They are below, but a word first.

Today, Cold Spring Brewing Co.’s beer is actually branded under Third Street Brewhouse (maybe that’s why we were confused). The company employs more than 300 people in its state-of-the-art brewery and beverage product development and production facility that includes Third Street Brewhouse and Monarch Custom Beverages. Third Street Brewhouse is a craft beer division of the company, which now acts as the public face of the brewery. Monarch Custom Beverages is a custom beverage product manufacturer, doing custom beverages like beer, juice, soda, whatever. Now, after that update, here’s some recent news.

Cold Spring Brewing honored with Historic Business of the Year Award

Cold Spring Brewing Co., the craft brewery behind popular beers like Minnesota Gold Lager and Hop Lift, was awarded the Historic Business of the Year Award.

“The Cold Spring Brewing Company and Third Street Brewhouse were selected for 2016 to recognize their long-time standing in the community as a business and supporter of causes that are important to the community. As one of Cold Spring’s major employers, their effect on the community is seen through their investment in building the new Third Street Brewhouse, their continued plans to grow, and for being a good place to work with many long-term employees,” said Rita Hennen, Secretary of the Cold Spring Area Historical Society (CSAHS).

The CSAHS held their annual meeting on Oct. 26, 2016, at the Cold Spring American Legion. “We are honored to receive the award,” Nicole Holthaus, Human Relations Manager of Cold Spring Brewing Company said. “We look forward to collaborating with the CSAHS to help celebrate our history!”

Shown are Trustees Bill Thull, Dan Steil, Rita Hennen; Historian Award Recipient John Decker, Historian Award Recipient Scott Bender (General Manager of the CSBrewing Company) and Trustees Cliff Johnson, Jim Dwyer, Dave Mehr, Don Jungles. Not shown are Trustees Ray Schouviller and Scott Larson.

Cold Spring Brewing Company (CSBC) is one of the oldest breweries in the state and has been brewing beer in Cold Spring since 1874. During the event Third Street Brewhouse, the craft beer division of CSBC, released their plan to introduce three new historical lagers to their craft beer portfolio:

• June 2017 — Pre-Prohibition Lager
• October 2017 — Export Style Lager
• March 2018 — Kegle Brau

Pre-Prohibition Lager was sampled during the ceremony. The recipe for which was found hand written on a piece of paper from the early-1900s.General manager, Scott Bender, was presented with a traveling trophy which will be displayed in the taproom at Third Street for the next year.

Cold Spring Brewing announces director of supply chain

Cold Spring Brewing also announced the hiring of Audra Nistler as Director of Supply Chain. Nistler brings nearly 20 years of Supply Chain experience including purchasing, accounting, plant management and materials management. Prior to joining Third Street, Nistler held materials management positions with Elk River Machine Co. in Elk River, Minn., and TCR Engineered Components, LLC in Brooklyn Center, Minn.

“We’re very lucky to have Audra on our team,” said Scott Bender, General Manager of Third Street. “Since Audra joined our team, she’s helped us improve efficiency by 40 percent — exceeding our customers’ expectations. We couldn’t be more proud of her!”

In her role as Director of Supply Chain, Nistler is responsible for managing the company’s two state-of-the-art warehouses — all 450,00 square feet — including overseeing all incoming and outgoing materials. In addition to her experience, Nistler holds an accounting degree and certifications in lean manufacturing, as well as Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) and Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM).

“In the past 20 months with CSBC, I have expanded my knowledge base, helped improve processes and put money back to the bottom line,” said Nistler. “This would not have been possible without the efforts of my team and I’m excited to see what the future has in store.”