Beaver Island Brewing Ending Beer Sales to Bars, Restaurants

(KNSI) – Beaver Island Brewing Company in St. Cloud will stop selling its beer in liquor stores and restaurants effective January 1st. The company made the announcement on Thursday.

The reason for the change is the success of other Beaver Island products. Co-owner Nick Barth tells KNSI News the pandemic opened up an opportunity for the business. “We had to figure a way out of COVID-19 and some of the shutdown stuff. And from that was birthed a brand called Nice’d Hard Tea. A lot of people actually don’t know that Beaver Island Brewing Company is the one who makes Nice’d hard teas and lemonades. And so, that has grown tremendously over the last two years. In fact, it’s become about 85% of our total wholesale volume.”

The company says they hope its fans understand that restructuring its business model is what is best for Beaver Island Brewing at this time.

The company’s award-winning beer will only be available in the taproom in downtown St. Cloud. Barth says they’re investing in a small brewing system for the taproom and pivoting the beer line to focus on its roots. The plans include more small-batch releases.

Barth says he knows the decision isn’t going to be popular with some customers. “We understand there may be some disappointed customers who live up in Duluth, Virginia or [who] live in Grand Forks or Fargo or Rochester and we’re sorry, but we’d love for you to come and visit our great city of St. Cloud so we can see your smiling face and say hi.”

Beaver Island Brewing started in St. Cloud eight years ago. They operate a taproom downtown and a canning facility east of the city.

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