Lupulin Brewing

What Lupulin Brewing does

Lupulin Brewing Company is a privately held, family-owned craft brewery founded in 2015 and headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota, where it operates a single production site integrated with an on-premise taproom. The brewery runs a custom 30-barrel brewhouse designed with W.M. Sprinkman, supported by a Rolec DH90 closed-loop dry-hopping system, a Probrew ProCarb inline carbonation system, a quality control lab using qPCR/anaerobic plating and UV-VIS spectrophotometry, pasteurization equipment for high-fruit and THC beverages, and a 100+ oak barrel aging program covering bourbon, rye, scotch, and rum casks. Its product portfolio is organized into distinct lines: year-round core beers, seasonal and limited releases, the Big & Barrel Aged high-gravity and barrel-aged series (e.g., Barrel God Cuvée, Doppelbock), the Scribbled Lines sub-brand for foeder-aged mixed-culture sour and wild ales, collaboration beers with partner breweries, an Out of Rotation archive line, and a cannabis-infused THC beverage line. Operations also include The Stave event space, Slice Craft pizza on-site food service, and a Square-powered merchandise storefront.

Revenue is generated through three streams: direct on-premise taproom sales and growler fills at Big Lake, wholesale distribution of packaged beer (cans) to liquor stores and restaurants across the Upper Midwest (Minnesota and South Dakota), and merchandise sales online. The company sells exclusively to end consumers (B2C), with no anchor enterprise accounts; its primary customer segments are craft beer enthusiasts seeking hop-forward IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, and experimental sours, and the Big Lake / suburban Minnesota community using the taproom as a gathering space. Marketing relies on owned social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, Untappd), an email newsletter, festival participation, recurring charity-linked collaboration releases, and direct outreach via a Brand Ambassador street team.

Distribution is handled through regional wholesalers rather than direct-to-retail, and the company remains privately held under the Zierdt family with no disclosed institutional equity, debt, or M&A history. Branding investments are evident in a deep award record across U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, Craft Beer Marketing Awards, and Untappd, alongside cause-marketing partnerships (The Scars Foundation, The Pink Boots Society, Black is Beautiful, JZ Cancer Fund) and recurring community events such as the annual Big Beer Week and the 11th Anniversary Block Party.

Name

Lupulin Brewing

Legal name

Lupulin Brewing Company

Website

https://lupulinbrewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lupulin Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery and taproom in Big Lake, Minnesota, producing hop-forward IPAs, barrel-aged beers, and foeder-aged wild ales for distribution across Minnesota and South Dakota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

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), Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Barrel-aged beer
• Hop-forward IPAs
• Brewery taproom
• Craft beer distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Big Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Taproom Sales: Direct beer sales at the Big Lake taproom, including on-site consumption and growler fills. The taproom also features food service through Slice Craft pizza.
2. Beer Distribution: Distribution of packaged beer (cans) to liquor stores and restaurants across the Upper Midwest region.
3. Merchandise Store: Online store selling branded merchandise including apparel and accessories through their Square storefront.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lupulin Brewing is a craft production brewery that designs, brews, packages, and sells a diverse lineup of beers — including year-round core offerings (e.g., Dortmunder, Doppelbock), limited seasonal and special releases, hop-forward and fruited IPAs, high-gravity and barrel-aged stouts/lagers aged in 100+ oak barrels, and foeder-aged mixed-culture sour and wild ales under the Scribbled Lines sub-brand. The company operates the Big Lake taproom (with Slice Craft pizza), distributes packaged beer to liquor stores and restaurants across the Upper Midwest, and runs an online merchandise store and event venue (The Stave).

Product overview

Lupulin Brewing is a production brewery and taproom located in Big Lake, MN, offering a diverse portfolio of craft beers organized into distinct product lines. The core offering consists of year-round Core Beers, Limited Releases (seasonal and special releases), Big & Barrel Aged beers (featuring over 100 oak barrels for aging stouts, brown ales, and lagers), and Scribbled Lines (foeder-aged sours and funky ales). Additional products include Collaboration beers brewed with partner breweries, Out of Rotation discontinued offerings, THC products, and a Beer Finder tool for retail locations. The company also operates a taproom with an event space called The Stave, an online merchandise store, and Slice Craft pizza service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scribbled Lines: A sub-brand focused on foeder-aged mixed-culture ales, sour ales, and wild ferments including foeder-aged golden brett beers, barrel-aged sour ales with various fruit additions, and experimental wild ales.

Products and services

• Core Beers (Cores) Year-round flagship craft beers forming the always-available core lineup, including Dortmunder and Doppelbock. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts and wholesale accounts seeking reliable, repeatable brands.
• Limited Releases Seasonal and special-release beers spanning Belgian ales, IPAs, stouts, lagers, and experimental styles. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts seeking variety and novelty.
• Big & Barrel Aged High-gravity and barrel-aged beers, including Barrel God imperial stouts, Barrel Nutz brown ales, and barrel-aged lagers, matured in over 100 oak bourbon, rye, scotch, and rum barrels. Targeted at enthusiasts of strong, complex aged beers.
• Scribbled Lines Sub-brand portfolio of foeder-aged and barrel-aged sour and funky ales, including Boris, Cerise de Chance, Fugacity, Fragmentary Delusion, Loïs, and Waking the Grapevine series — mixed-culture fermentations with fruit additions and experimental wild ales. Targeted at sour and wild ale enthusiasts.
• Collaboration Beers (Collabs) Collaborative beers brewed jointly with other breweries and nonprofit/cultural partners, including the Operation CoHoperation series. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts and partner communities, often supporting charitable causes.
• THC Beverages Cannabis-infused THC beverages produced and sold under the Lupulin brand, extending the portfolio beyond traditional craft beer. Targeted at legal-age consumers seeking THC-infused drinks.
• Big Lake Taproom Physical taproom in Big Lake, MN, offering on-site draft beer service, growler fills, food service through Slice Craft pizza, and hosting of community events. Targeted at local residents and visitors seeking an on-premise craft beer experience.
• The Stave Event Space Event venue featuring a large mural and seating at the brewery, used for private events and the annual Big Beer Week. Targeted at local groups and event organizers seeking an on-site brewery venue.
• Slice Craft Pizza Sicilian-style pizza prepared and served directly to guests at the Big Lake taproom, providing an in-house food option alongside beer service. Targeted at taproom patrons seeking full on-premise food service.
• Online Merchandise Store E-commerce storefront operating on Square that sells Lupulin-branded merchandise, apparel, and accessories. Targeted at fans of the brewery seeking branded products.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mankato BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Hero Hazy DIPA, winning Best Collaboration at MN Brewers Cup 2019. Represents a key regional partnership between two Minnesota breweries.
• Drekker BrewingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Operation CoHoperation collaboration releases including Operation CoHoperation - Drekker, a Double Dry-Hopped TIPA that won Platinum for Best Can Design at Craft Beer Marketing Awards 2022.
• Talking Waters Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaboration beers including PILS PLZ Italian-style Pilsner, Dank @$$ Hop Nugz West Coast IPA, and fairy-themed sour beers (Fairies Yes, Mermaids Yes, Unicorns Yes).
• Weathered Souls Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Black is Beautiful, a Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout as part of the national Black is Beautiful initiative supporting social justice causes.
• The Scars FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple collaborations including SCARS IPA, Dream Hops DIPA, and Metal Health for Mental Health IPA. Proceeds support mental health awareness.
• Back Channel BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Church Basement Pancake Breakfast, an Imperial Stout with Coffee, Maple Syrup & Coconut that won Bronze at U.S. Open 2024.
• W.M. SprinkmancoreTechnology or IntegrationCustom-designed the brewery's 30-barrel brewhouse, built in the Upper Midwest, tailored specifically for Lupulin's beer styles.
• Iron Shoe Farms (Farmer Cooperative)minorOthersPartnership for spent grain disposal program, providing 250-gallon totes and collection containers for redirecting spent grain to local farms as livestock feed.
• The Pink Boots SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Flamingo in a Flock of Pigeons Pale Ale with Pink Boots Hop Blend, Raspberry & Peach, supporting women in the brewing industry.
• Bottle Logic BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Rubuscubus, Imperial Sweet Stout with Raspberry, Vanilla & Lactose that won Bronze at U.S. Open 2020.
• Becker Big Lake Ice AssociationminorOthersCurrent community initiative supporting the construction of a 30,000 square foot multi-purpose ice arena in Big Lake for youth hockey and community events.
• JZ Cancer Fund (Mankato Area Foundation)minorOthersJonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund established in 2017 to build community cancer awareness and support. Jeff Zierdt, owner, is connected to this fund.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fulton Brewing Company: Minneapolis craft brewery with broad Midwest distribution and taproom presence, comparable to Lupulin in Minnesota craft positioning and packaged beer strategy.
• Bent Paddle Brewing Co. Minnesota craft brewery with taproom and regional distribution. Overlaps with Lupulin in craft style portfolio (IPAs, sours) and Upper Midwest distribution footprint.
• Surly Brewing Co. Minneapolis-based production craft brewery with a destination taproom and event space. Both are Midwest craft brewers operating production brewery plus taproom models with award-winning IPAs and barrel-aged programs.
• Indeed Brewing Company: Minneapolis craft brewery with taproom and event programming, comparable to Lupulin in segmenting craft beer enthusiasts through community events and local identity.
• Drekker Brewing Company: Fargo, ND craft brewery and Operation CoHoperation collaboration partner of Lupulin. Comparable Midwest craft producer with a taproom, packaged distribution, and creative can designs.
• Mankato Brewing Company: Regional Minnesota craft brewery and prior collaboration partner of Lupulin (Hero Hazy DIPA). Comparable smaller-scale Minnesota craft producer with taproom and local distribution.
• Bauhaus Brew Labs: Minneapolis craft brewery known for lagers and German-style beers plus experimental IPAs, overlapping with Lupulin's Dortmunder and Doppelbock strengths and broader craft portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Bell's Brewery: Established Upper Midwest craft brewery (Michigan) with broad distribution, barrel-aging programs, and best-in-class beer awards. Represents the larger-scale benchmark for craft brewers operating in Lupulin's competitive geography.

Regional players

• Indeed Brewing (Milwaukee expansion) / 3 Sheeps Brewing: Wisconsin craft brewery with taproom and Midwest-focused distribution. Comparable to Lupulin as a smaller regional craft brewer competing for tap handles and shelf space in the Upper Midwest.

Emerging players

• Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Iowa craft brewery known for high-ABV IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. Comparable to Lupulin as a Midwest craft producer gaining distribution through award-winning limited releases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LupulinBrewing
• Facebookfacebook.com/LupulinBrewing
• Instagraminstagram.com/lupulin_brewing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lupulin-brewing-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Lupulin Brewing