Local Distilleries Are Building Big, Fresh, and New in Northeast Minneapolis

Earl Giles is set to be the next big distillery destination in Northeast Minneapolis. Behind the new distillery are two industry veterans, Jesse Held and Jeff Erkkila. Held was the longtime beverage director for Jester Concepts, whose restaurants Parlour, Borrough, Constantine, and have become known for their cocktails. Erikkila worked with Held at some of those bars. The duo first conceived of Earl Giles, which is named for their two middle names, as a syrup and cordials company. The first product launched was a ginger beer that was so popular, they found it difficult to keep pace with demand.

The new distillery will be located at 1325 Quincy Street in Minneapolis, and occupy nearly 12,000 square feet with a mezzanine level, outdoor patio, and parking space. The impressive interior will also include a botanical garden for growing herbs that the distillery will use.

Construction is happening and the distillery expects to be open before the end of 2020.

Minnesota: the Aquavit capital of the United States?

Aquavit, the bracing, herbal liquor native to Scandinavia is having a bit of a moment nationally, but is embraced no where more warmly than right here. Distilleries across the state have been creating their own mixes and another just entered the ring. J. Carver, the gorgeous distillery down in Waconia, just launched an Aquavit made with Minnesota-grown winter wheat that’s steeped with sweet and bitter orange, grains of paradise, fennel seed, caraway and dill, for a softer aquavit-sipping experience. The bottle retails for around $27 and is available at select Twin Cities retailers now.

Tattersall [Official]

Tattersall Launches Yet Another Bottle: This Time It’s Organic

Tattersall, the mega-little distillery in Northeast has launched its newest product, an organic vodka. The distillery from longtime area bartender Dan Oskey and business partner Jon Kreidler has partnered with farmer Jerome Walch of Four Sisters farm for the organic corn used in making the new vodka. “Many mainstream, organic vodka brands are not actually distilling their spirits themselves,” said Oskey. “ It’s very misleading marketing to the consumer.”

The organic vodka will retail for around $27. It joins Tattersall’s impressive lineup that includes rum, aquavit, gin, navy strength gin, rye, and many more.

To celebrate the launch, there will be a party at the distillery on Wednesday January 29. Tickets are on sale now and $15.

Norseman [Official]

Norseman Distillery Launches New Menu with New Taste Partners

Not to be left out of the exciting distillery happenings in Northeast, Norseman is giving its bar menu a refresh. The new list partners with local chef Yia Vang, Sencha Tea, and Blackeye Roasting. The fresh menu will be the first in a series as the distillery reaches out to other taste making friends to collaborate with. The fresh drinks launch tomorrow.