Northeast Minneapolis already has its own Arts District. Now it looks like the neighborhood will be getting a new moniker: the Brew District. This week, 612Brew announced it will open its years-in-the-making brewery at the corner of Central and Broadway. It joins a handful of breweries that have already staked a claim in the area, including Indeed, Dangerous Man and Northgate.

The 30-somethings behind 612Brew (Adit Kalra, Robert Kasak, Ryan Libby and Jamey Rossbach) announced their intentions for opening a brewery well over two years ago. But a lot has changed in those two years, namely the Surly Bill.

"When the taproom law came into play we rewrote our entire business plan," Kasak said. "It changed everything."

Mainly, they started looking for more "beautiful spaces." Before, they were on the hunt for industrial spaces where they could simply make beer. But if they were going to have a taproom (and everyone needs a taproom), the place had to be presentable. They found just the spot in the Broadway Building, an old factory space peeking out at the elevated Central/Broadway intersection. Developer Peter Remes (the guy behind the Ice House building on Eat Street) is planning a full restoration of the 60,000 square-foot warehouse with 612Brew as the anchor tenant.

Kasak said they hope to open the brewery by November. Here's what they're working with:

  • 5,000 square foot brewery.
  • 15-barrel system (about the same size at Lucid and Flat Earth, a little smaller than Fulton's 20-barrel system).
  • They'll open with two beers: SIX (an American Pale Ale) and Rated R, a spiced-up, hoppy Rye IPA. They'll follow those up with a summer seasonal – the "Gilligan's Island" tribute, Mary Ann (German lager with freshly grated ginger.
  • The taproom will have seating for about 70 people. The first taproom-only beer will be Zero Hour, an American black ale.

612Brew will primarily focus on making sessional beers, which contain moderate- to low-alcohol content. It's a good plan that will set them apart from the beer scene's typical hop-forward, high alcohol brews. Kasak said the sessional style just means you can drink more. He contends, however, that 612Brew won't be making all sessional beers. In fact, the Rated R IPA clocks in at 6.5%.

The taproom will be the focal point of the brewhouse. As you can see from the rendering above, the interior will have a stylish restaurant feel to it. They plan to serve Indian street food (Kalra's family owns Tandoor in Bloomington). There will also be a patio overlooking a rain garden green space.

Stay tuned for more updates.
Details: 945 Broadway St., Mpls. www.612brew.com