Tap Talk: St. Paul Brewing Legend Summit Brewing Co. Celebrates 30 Years

Ask almost any Minnesotan what their first craft beer was and they'll tell you it was Summit Extra Pale Ale.

Similarly, ask almost any Minnesotan what their everyday, go-to beer is and they'll tell you it is Summit EPA.

It's the beer that launched the St. Paul brewery into popularity, and it's that same brewery that started the love of craft beer for countless Minnesotans.

And, 30 years later, it's the beer that Minnesotans still turn to.

"We were always going to be just a small brewery that was locally based and locally owned, and we would sell 100 percent of our beers through beer distributors," president and founder of Summit Brewing Company, Mark Stutrud said.

In 1983, Stutrud wrote to the Brewers' Association of America and told them of his plans to open a microbrewery in the Twin Cities area.

He received a response back that was less than enthusiastic. The letter urged Stutrud to reconsider, and to be aware that if he went forward with the brewery he would be in for a long ride.

Continue he did and in 1986 he opened Summit Brewing Company, named after the legendary St. Paul avenue.

Stutrud and four other men opened Summit on University Avenue. They brewed the EPA and the Great Northern Porter.

Stutrud did most of the brewing himself with the help of an assistant brewer. The other men filtered the beer, filled kegs and sold them.

Their first year they were completely self-distributed.

"There wasn't a beer distributor in town that was interested in picking us up because we were so crazy and we were such deviants," Stutrud said. "There were plenty of times during the first five years that we didn't know if we were going to survive, let alone grow."

But the quality and consistency of the beer gained a following, and in the following years the brewery released a Summit Christmas Ale in 1987, the Summit Sparkling Ale, the area's first blonde, in 1988 and the Summit Maibock in 1989. Then, in 1998, they moved to their new, much larger, location.

Now, 46 styles and 30 years later, the letter warning Stutrud of the challenges ahead still hangs on the wall in the brewery that has become a craft beer staple and a Minnesota legend.

Summit Brewing Company

Follow them: on Twitter at @summitbeer, on Facebook at Summit Brewing Company or visit their website online.
Owner(s): Mark Stutrud
Head Brewer:  Damian McConn
Location:  910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul
Hours:  Taproom: Thursdays: 4 – 8 p.m., Fridays: 4 – 10 p.m. and Saturdays: 12 to 10 p.m. Tours: Tuesday through Friday: 3 p.m., Saturdays: 12:30 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Contact: 651-265-7800

Thirty years is quite an accomplishment, especially since it's older than many of the millennials drinking Minnesota's craft beer!

So, planning for the celebration began months in advance.

"With a new brew, I like to take at least 12 months to start putting the pieces together and building on the vision of what the overall goals are," head brewer Damian McConn said.

Four beers were planned, and in the last quarter of 2015 the first beer for the 30th celebration was already brewing.

"When it comes around to celebrating the 30th anniversary, the first thing we think about is ourselves. We're pretty selfish. So, we think about what styles of beer would we like to enjoy ourselves? And, so, the first one out of the shoot is a Double IPA," Stutrud said.

The Summit 30th Anniversary Double IPA has six different hops from the United States and New Zealand, as well as malts from the U.S. and the U.K. It has citrus and tropical notes including limes, papaya and mango.

Stutrud describes the beer as thirst quenching due to its balance of dryness and sweetness.

"I wanted to showcase what we could do in terms of making that style more approachable and drinkable," McConn said. "It was a challenge to take something that is so aggressive and soften it."

Following the Double IPA, Summit will introduce the Keller Pils in late spring.

A German style lager, the Keller Pils is a reference to the classic fermentation cellars brewers used to use.

"It's a very nice, crisp Pilsner, but it's not filtered. So, it's like you're taking the beer right out of its vessel at its lagering time," Stutrud said.

Next comes the London Style Ale. Set to be released toward the end of summer, it's a more sessionable ale that fits with the warm weather season.

"This has more of a biscuit-y, bread-y note from the English malts," McConn said. "That is paired with citrus notes from the hops."

Finally, Stutrud will return to the brewhouse and help with the final beer – the Barleywine.

The traditional Barleywine will be made six to eight months prior so it has time to age and mature in the tank. Then around the holidays it will be released in bottles.

"At 13 percent alcohol, it's big, boozey, punch-you-in-the-gut type beer," McConn said.

Of course, the whole celebration cumulates at the annual Big Backyard Bash. On Saturday, Sept. 10 Summit will throw its official birthday party, featuring a lineup of local musicians.

As Summit continues to put the years behind them, Stutrud has now become the man who new brewers write to seeking advice.

While he doesn't agree with dissuading new brewers from starting their own place, he wants to make sure that the passion and motivation is in the right place.

"Brewing is a real fun industry, it's very social and it's steeped in relationships. But at the same time it can be humbling," he said.

He wants new brewers to be prepared for challenges and to bring knowledge and excellence to their craft so all Minnesota brews will have the reputation of consistency.

After all, consistency is key. It's what he credits to his customers returning year after year.

In fact, it's how Chief Operating Officer Tom Thomasser describes Summit in one word.

Stutrud's word? Trustworthy.

"We not only established a reputation of being consistent, reliable and trustworthy, we are deeply involved within this community," he said. "Our customers built this place. I think it's pretty amazing."

So, hoppy 30th anniversary Summit. Cheers to at least 30 more!