56 Brewing

What 56 Brewing does

56 Brewing is an independent craft brewery and taproom founded around 2012 in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, operating a single taproom at 3055 Columbia Ave NE. The company produces a rotating lineup of craft beer served on draft alongside 750ml crowlers and 64oz growlers for to-go purchase, and has built a diversified event business across three venue configurations: the Mezzanine (~30 capacity), the Barrel Room (~150 capacity), and Full Premise buyout (~275 capacity). The brewery supplements beverage production with ticketed community programming, including the long-running annual Nershfest (14 years continuous) and the Brewgrass festival, which expanded to a two-day format in 2026.

Revenue is generated across five streams: on-premise taproom sales, beer-to-go (crowlers and growlers), local wholesale distribution, private event rentals, and ticketed public events. In 2026 the company introduced Acre, a THC-infused beverage sub-brand, and released a new Italian Pilsner SKU called Nersheast Nectar, signaling continued product-line expansion. The company also participates in the Twin Cities Brewvet, a 10-brewery collective supporting shared distribution and cross-promotion in the Minneapolis market.

The business is B2C and consumer-facing, serving craft beer enthusiasts, local residents, families, dog owners, music fans, and private event hosts in the Twin Cities area. The company operates with an estimated 1-10 employees and has not disclosed funding, revenue figures, or expansion beyond its single Northeast Minneapolis location. Leadership includes Alex Schafer (COO). Note: firmographic records list a 2015 founding date while company history materials reference 2012 with a 14-year event anniversary — the earlier date is treated as more consistent with the documented event history.

Name

56 Brewing

Legal name

56 Brewing

Website

https://56brewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

56 Brewing is a Minneapolis craft brewery and taproom founded around 2012, producing on-site draft beer, crowlers, and growlers while hosting private events and community festivals in Northeast Minneapolis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA), Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Taproom operations
• Private event venue
• THC beverages
• Barrel-aged beer

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. On-site taproom sales: Direct beer sales at the taproom including pints, flights, and onsite consumption. Features daily happy hour pricing ($5 pints before 6pm Mon-Fri) and specialty events.
2. Beer to-go (crowlers and growlers): Off-premise sales of 750ml crowlers and 64oz growlers for takeaway. Tuesday promotions include Buy One Get One Free growler fills.
3. Distribution/sales: Off-site beer distribution to other retail locations through their distribution channel ([email protected]).
4. Private events venue rental: Rental of private event spaces including The Barrel Room (up to 150 people), The Mezzanine (up to 30 people), and full premise (up to 275 people) for weddings, parties, and corporate events.
5. Ticketed events and classes: Revenue from ticketed events such as Brewgrass festival, Nershfest, TCS Rollerskate Classes ($15 entry), Family Rock workshops ($20), and pinball tournaments ($5 entry fee).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

56 Brewing is a craft brewery and community taproom in Northeast Minneapolis that brews and serves a rotating lineup of craft beers on-site, packages them for off-premise takeaway as 750ml crowlers and 64oz growlers, and distributes to other local retailers. The brewery also operates three private event spaces — The Barrel Room (up to 150 guests), The Mezzanine (up to 30 guests), and the combined Full Premise (up to 275 guests) — and sells a THC beverage line called Acre under a sub-brand.

Product overview

56 Brewing is a craft brewery located in Northeast Minneapolis offering a variety of on-site brewed craft beers. The company operates a taproom with indoor and outdoor seating, plus three distinct private event venues: The Barrel Room (150 capacity), The Mezzanine (30 capacity), and the combined Full Premise (275 capacity). Beer products include on-tap offerings, 750ml crowlers, and 64oz growlers for off-premise consumption. The company also offers Acre, a THC beverage product with botanical ingredients. Regular programming includes happy hour specials, food truck events, live music, and recurring community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Acre: A THC beverage brand crafted with natural botanical ingredients, designed to foster connection with nature and provide a measured fast-acting THC experience.

Products and services

• Craft Beer (On-Tap) Rotating lineup of craft beers brewed on-site at 56 Brewing's Northeast Minneapolis brewery, available on-tap at the taproom and at partner retail locations throughout the Twin Cities area for adult craft beer consumers.
• Crowlers (750ml) 750ml crowlers filled at the taproom for off-premise consumption, available to adult craft beer consumers for takeaway purchase.
• Growlers (64oz) 64oz growlers available for purchase and fill at the taproom, with a Tuesday Buy One Get One Free growler fill promotion, for adult craft beer consumers seeking off-premise takeaway.
• The Taproom The main taproom at 3055 Columbia Ave NE, Minneapolis, offering indoor and outdoor craft beer service with happy hour ($5 pints Mon-Fri before 6pm), and a dog- and family-welcome policy.
• The Barrel Room (Private Event Space) Private event space with 150-person capacity featuring 20–40 barrel aging ambiance, 7–8 pinball machines, a private bar, private entrance, private patio, and private bathrooms, used for weddings, receptions, concerts, and meetings.
• The Mezzanine (Private Event Space) Second-floor loft private event space seating up to 30 guests, equipped with a 46-inch television, full AV capabilities, and 3 pinball machines, suitable for bride/groom party space, meetings, and showers.
• Full Premise (Private Event Space) Combined rental of all 56 Brewing spaces for events of up to 275 guests, including The Mezzanine, The Taproom, The Barrel Room, and a large wrap-around patio overlooking the community garden.
• Acre (THC Beverage Sub-Brand) THC beverage sub-brand of 56 Brewing featuring natural botanical ingredients and a measured fast-acting THC experience, marketed as fostering connection with nature and offering an alternative to alcoholic beer.
• Nersheast Nectar (Seasonal Beer) Seasonal Italian Pilsner craft beer release from 56 Brewing, brewed specifically for the Nershfest festival with German Saphir and Pearle hops, tangerine aroma, light fruity sweetness, noble hop spice, and a soft pine finish.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Inspire and FlourishminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal animal shelter nonprofit partner for Dog Days of Summer fundraiser events. 56 Brewing hosts adoption events and fundraising nights benefiting the shelter, featuring adoptable puppies and donation opportunities.
• 360 StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Back to School Donation Drive events. 56 Brewing serves as a collection site for school supplies, hygiene products, clothing, and other essentials for local students and families.
• Twin Cities Vintage Flea / Totally Rad Vintage FestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly vintage flea market partner hosting pop-up events at 56 Brewing featuring vintage clothing, accessories, collectibles, and more from local vendors.
• Twin Cities SkatersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecurring partner hosting rollerskate classes at 56 Brewing. Classes include beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels with rental options.
• IFPA / Stern ArmyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial IFPA pinball tournament partner. Monthly tournaments held second Sunday of each month with $5 entry fee and payouts to top four players.
• Gerhard's BratsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular food truck partner appearing multiple times monthly at 56 Brewing taproom events.
• Roon's Savory ConesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular food truck partner appearing multiple times monthly at 56 Brewing taproom events.
• La ChozaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular food truck partner appearing multiple times monthly at 56 Brewing taproom events.
• Nordic DogsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular food truck partner appearing multiple times monthly at 56 Brewing taproom events.
• Twin Cities Brewvet (10 breweries)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-brewery cycling event partnership including 56 Brewing, Broken Clock, Fulton, Falling Knife, Indeed Brewing, Forgotten Star, and others. Self-guided cycling brewery crawl through NE Minneapolis with $1,000+ prize pool.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Modist Brewing Co. Minneapolis craft brewery with comparable taproom and distribution model; competes for the same Twin Cities craft beer consumer and event-driven foot traffic as 56 Brewing.
• Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative: Minneapolis craft brewery named as Brewvet partner alongside 56 Brewing; comparable small-batch taproom model and event-driven programming serving overlapping Northeast Minneapolis customers.
• Fulton Brewing: Minneapolis craft brewery that is a direct peer in the NE Minneapolis corridor; named co-participant in 56 Brewing's Brewvet cycling crawl. Comparable taproom and distribution model serving the same Twin Cities market.
• Indeed Brewing Company: NE Minneapolis craft brewery and Brewvet co-participant; directly comparable in scale, taproom-centric model, and local craft distribution footprint within the same corridor as 56 Brewing.
• Bauhaus Brew Labs: Northeast Minneapolis craft brewery with a taproom-focused model and active events programming; directly comparable peer serving the same NE Minneapolis craft corridor and customer base.
• Falling Knife Brewing Company: Minneapolis craft brewery listed as a Brewvet co-participant with 56 Brewing; directly comparable taproom-and-distribution craft model targeting the same Twin Cities craft consumer.
• Forgotten Star Brewing: Minneapolis craft brewery participating in the same Brewvet multi-brewery event as 56 Brewing; comparable scale and taproom-forward business model within the Northeast Minneapolis craft corridor.

Broad incumbents

• Surly Brewing Co. Larger, well-established Twin Cities craft brewery with a destination beer hall, broad distribution, and significantly greater scale; competes for the same Minneapolis craft consumer and shelf space as 56 Brewing but at substantially greater volume.

Peers

• Wild Mind Artisan Ales:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/56brewing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 56 Brewing