News Jake Nyberg of PubPass Highlights Some Must-Stop Breweries During CBC

The brewery passport craze, widespread throughout the country, was actually started in the Twin Cities nearly a decade ago by PubPass, a Minnesota-based company.

As the post-pandemic landscape has shifted promotional realities for bars and breweries, PubPass has been building a digital product that offers more flexibility and nationwide access to users. The app will officially launch at GABF 2022, but a free sneak preview is available to CBC attendees now. Use promo code PROBREWER3 for a 3-month trial of the PubPass app.

We tapped PubPass partner and Twin Cities native Jake Nyberg for a few nearby, can’t-miss stops.

DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS

Downtown and walkable from the convention, you’ll find Finnegan’s — a unique non-profit brewery that helps support local hunger-related efforts. Nyberg sang the praises of founder Jacquie Berglund, calling her “The best kind of entrepreneur,” noting that Finnegan’s gorgeous taproom itself is worth a visit.

NORTH LOOP

In the North Loop area of Minneapolis, the PubPass app features BOGO beers at several spots. Nyberg recommended Fulton, Freehouse, Pryes and StormKing. Regarding the latter, a brewpub that serves Texas-style BBQ, Nyberg said, “Minnesota winters are tough. A slab of brisket and a crisp Pils every so often offer a reminder that it’s warm somewhere and will be here again.” At Fulton, he suggested the Moon Howler Hazy. At Freehouse he’d point you towards the GABF-gold-awarded Scotch Ale and at Pryes “It’s sour thirty,” said the PubPass Impresario.

A BIT NORTH

Move the map up Central Ave from downtown Minneapolis, you’ll find 612 Brew and Bauhaus Brew Labs. “Bauhaus is a big, open, colorful space with thoughtful beers and design everywhere you look,” raved Nyberg. “Both 612 and Bauhaus also have fantastic patios and are walkable from each other. I’d start at one, stroll to the other and then consider taking in some legendary karaoke at the Vegas Lounge or Otter on your way back downtown.” Nyberg noted that Vegas Lounge and Otter’s Saloon aren’t listed in the PubPass app, he just loves karaoke.

FURTHER EAST

A click or two towards Saint Paul from Bauhaus and 612, Nyberg offered an enthusiastic recommendation for Insight Brewing, where the PubPass app will also score you a BOGO pint. “Insight recently brought over head brewer Sean Carnahan from Black Stack and the dude is hitting home runs,” Nyberg said. Another PubPass spot close to Insight is Urban Growler, the first woman-owned microbrewery in Minnesota. Of their lineup, Nyberg says, “Pair a Cowbell Cream Ale with a fried chicken sando that would make the Colonel blush.”

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