Smokehouse Brewpub made a name for itself last September with a unique fundraising idea (for a mere $1,000, potential investors would get free beer for life). Now the south Minneapolis bar/brewery is changing its name. It'll be called Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub. So what's in a name? Owner/brewer Jamie Robinson tells me that Smokehouse was always meant to be a temporary working name that could easily describe his concept to investors.

"The [new] name Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub refers to chef Bryce Strickler's culinary roots on Minnesota's Iron Range," Robinson said. "It also ties in subtle imagery of commuters from the neighborhood going northbound on the light rail. We think that the the name Northbound captures a general sense of Minnesota, which goes well with our commitment to [using] locally-sourced ingredients."

After making that beer-for-life offer back in September, it only took Robinson one month to reach his funding goal (upwards of $200,000). Northbound, located at the corner of 38th Street and 28th Avenue S., will be the first brewpub to open in Minneapolis since the Herkimer. As the former name suggests, the menu will be filled with smoked meat and veggies. Robinson, a former Town Hall assistant manager, said he's made some changes to his beer list, too. He'll reveal his new beer plans this week on the brewpub's website and Facebook page. He also noted that there have been some delays with getting the buildout going, but he's still hoping for a summer opening.

Stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, check out the new website when it goes live on Tuesday: www.northboundbrewpub.com