MINNEAPOLIS, MN JULY 19, 2017: Indeed Brewing Company will celebrate its fifth anniversary of business on August 10, 2017. The Company sold its inaugural beer on that day in 2012, becoming the first brewery and taproom to open in Northeast Minneapolis since James Page Brewing Company closed the early 2000s. Indeed will celebrate with events on August 19, 2017, both in its taproom and at its first-ever account, Icehouse Minneapolis.
When Indeed opened for business in 2012, Co-Founder Tom Whisenand imagined the taproom to be like a living room for the brewery, a place where people could get to know Indeed’s beer. Back then, Indeed had two beer offerings: Day Tripper Pale Ale and Midnight Ryder Black IPA. But with a company launch party later that August, and the release of cans in October, Indeed wasted no time getting its beer out of the living room and into the market. Forming an early partnership with local artist Chuck U, Indeed’s eye-catching cans helped early consumers discover Indeed’s beer. In the first six months of business, Indeed doubled its brewing capacity due to demand. Whisenand explained at the time, “This is a dream come true for all of us, it seems like just yesterday we were sitting around the kitchen table discussing our business plan and now we are doubling capacity... hopefully sleep will come after that.”
However, the Company didn’t see much rest in its second year, hiring a full-time quality manager, adding distribution in the surrounding metro area and creating Indeed We Can, the Company’s charitable giving program. “Indeed is only as strong as the community that surrounds it. It was important to us to find an authentic way to build relationships with our neighbors,” says Co-Founder Nathan Berndt. Through this program, taproom proceeds each Wednesday are donated to local nonprofits selected by employees. By August 2014, the taproom was open four days a week, and with five packaged beers in the market, Indeed continued to gain momentum.
The next few years would bring a multitude of positive change and opportunity to the Company. In 2014, Mexican Honey Imperial Lager brought home a Silver Medal from the Great American Beer Fest, giving the brewery national recognition. That same year, Indeed began the aging process for its Wooden Soul series of wild, sour and barrel-aged beer, led by brewer Adam Theis. By fall 2015, Indeed had greatly expanded its brewing capacity, staff, and number of packaged beers. 2016 saw the first packaged offering from Wooden Soul and the creation of two collaboration beers with New Belgium Brewing, one of the largest craft breweries in the country. In that year, Indeed also achieved a longtime goal of statewide distribution in Minnesota, grew industry relationships through its Flock Together collaboration series, and worked to maintain its integrity, pulling beer kits from Northern Brewer after the homebrew supply store was acquired by AB-InBev.
Head Brewer Josh Bischoff and his son Elliott Ryder Bischoff (Midnight Ryder's namesake) mix up a test batch in Co-Founder Tom Whisenand's garage in 2012.
Indeed is proud to share that since opening day in 2012, it has:
-
Grown its staff from eight to 56 employees and ranked as a Top 150 Workplace
-
Increased its barrel production capacity by over 400%
-
Expanded its number of packaged beer offerings from two to 15, with all cans featuring designs from local artist Chuck U
-
Increased its number of on- and off-premise accounts from 170 to 1,440
-
Widened distribution from the Twin Cities area to statewide in Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as parts of Wisconsin
-
Began exporting beer internationally to Spain
-
Donated more than $300,000 to over 100 nonprofits through Indeed We Can
Co-Founder Tom Whisenand takes a turn on the pack out line in 2013.
Indeed is incredibly grateful for the support of the craft beer community over the past five years. Now the fourth largest production brewery in Minnesota, and the 250th largest brewery in the country, Indeed retains its core values of quality, community, originality, having fun and most importantly, making good beer. Head Brewer Josh Bischoff explains, “Our overall ‘trademark’ might be our commitment to quality and improvement. We brew beers across the spectrum of styles, ingredients, and colors. Even though taste is subjective, people can always expect a clean, well made beer from Indeed.”
When asked what they are most proud of about Indeed, both Whisenand and Berndt agree that at the end of the day, it comes down to people. “I am so proud of our people that work so hard, and give so much time to ensuring Indeed is not only a great place to work, but well known for high quality and consistent beer,” says Berndt. “We are a company that is successful and profitable without taking ourselves too seriously. Work days can be long and hard, but knowing there is a great group of people here to help makes all the difference.” Whisenand added “I get to come to work everyday and work alongside the best in the business. The people here have really made Indeed what it is today.”
Indeed's 2016 all staff photo.
In the immediate future, Indeed will prioritize building its presence and reputation in the craft brewing community, both regionally and nationally. Whisenand explains, “Five years from now I don’t think our accomplishments will be measured in size or growth rate. Rather, I hope people will be talking about how they still love drinking our beer, and can feel good about our company and what we stand for.”
Indeed will celebrate its five year anniversary twofold on August 19, 2017. At the brewery from 12pm to 6pm, Indeed will have an open house with self-guided tours, a shuttled tour to its offsite barrel-aging facility usually closed to the public, happy hour pricing on Day Tripper, Midnight Ryder and Shenanigans, food trucks, cake, and an extended patio. That same day, Indeed will throw down where it all began, kicking off its fifth year of business at Icehouse Minneapolis. “This has been the epitome of a great business relationship of mutual respect, that stretches back to the personal connections built with the people that make Indeed so great,” says Icehouse owner Brian Liebeck. “To be the first account to have Indeed on tap has always been an incredible honor and bragging right.” From 6pm to close, join Indeed at Icehouse Minneapolis for food, beer, giveaways, raffles, and live music from Ayvah, PaviElle, and Black Market Brass. Tickets to the Icehouse event are five dollars and include a free pint of Day Tripper and commemorative pint glass.
================
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, AUGUST 14, 2017: Indeed Brewing Company will celebrate its five year anniversary with two events on August 19, 2017. At the Indeed Open House from 12pm to 6pm, Indeed will allow patrons to wander through the brewery on a self-guided tour, run free shuttled tours to its offsite barrel-aging facility usually closed to the public, and offer happy hour pricing on its three original beers: Day Tripper, Midnight Ryder and Shenanigans. The event will also feature a pop-up version of the upcoming Popol Vuh restaurant (soon to be Indeed's across-the-street neighbor), cake, and an extended patio.
Later that day, Indeed will throw down where it all began, kicking off its fifth year of business at Icehouse Minneapolis with a Five Year Celebration. “This has been the epitome of a great business relationship of mutual respect, that stretches back to the personal connections built with the people that make Indeed so great,” says Icehouse owner Brian Liebeck. “To be the first account to have Indeed on tap has always been an incredible honor and bragging right.” From 6pm to close, join Indeed for food, beer, and live music from Ayvah, PaviElle, and Black Market Brass. The event will have a 10-beer Indeed tap takeover with all beers priced at $5, including the first keg of this year's Yamma Jamma Harvest Ale. Additionally, Indeed will hold a raffle that features prizes such as original Indeed-inspired Chuck U art, vintage tap handle sets, a private tour, and more. Tickets to the Icehouse event are five dollars and include a free pint of Day Tripper, and commemorative pint glass while supplies last.
0 comments (click to read or post):
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment...I do moderate each comment so it may not appear immediately...and please be nice! You can also comment using Disqus (below) or even comment directly on Facebook (bottom).