Minneapolis’ Utepils Brewing starts construction, creates jobs, adds to our vocabulary

Utepils’ outdoor beer garden will finally bring together man, butterfly, eagle and beer.

There’s a word missing from the English vernacular — Utepils. It’s a Norwegian noun (OOH-ta-pils) which means: “A longing and anticipation for the first beer enjoyed in the sunshine.” How in the hell do we not have an equivalent word?

Luckily, soon we will — via Utepils Brewing Co. — which plans to open this fall (maybe you remember them as Bryn Mawr Brewing for a sec). This Minnesota brewhouse 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 or as we like to call’em FTEs) to the Northside when it opens, growing to 28 FTEs in year two and an anticipated 40 FTEs when the 50-bbl brewhouse is operating at full production.

Just by that Utepils logo and font, you know this is a Euro-inspired brewing brand. Utepils Brewing hopes to be a Minneapolis craft brewery steeped in the traditions of the European brew masters. Situated in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood of Minneapolis, Utepils’ 15,000-square-foot site will feature a snazzy taproom, relaxing outdoor beer garden and a full-scale craft brewery.

“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,” said Utepils President Dan Justesen at the groundbreaking ceremony. “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. 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!”

Further reading: Craft a brewing business plan: Tips from a brewery in planning