When Minnesota’s Surly Bill became law in 2011, it allowed distributing breweries with a brewpub license to serve pints of beer on-site for the first time. Its passage ushered in a spate of new breweries across the state and also underscored how critical tasting rooms are to a craft brewery’s success.
Surly Brewing Co. Founder Omar Ansari championed the law and capitalized on its passage by breaking ground on a new production brewery, restaurant, beer hall, and event center, which opened in late 2014.
Far from the more modest scale of a typical brewery’s operation, however, Surly aspired to greatly increase its capacity while also constructing an iconic showplace where beer fans could gather to partake in the beer and participate in the Surly brand.