Back Channel Brewing Co.

What Back Channel Brewing Co. does

Back Channel Brewing Co. is a craft brewery and destination taproom founded in 2017 and located at 4787 Shoreline Drive in Spring Park, Minnesota, on the Seton Channel of Lake Minnetonka. The company operates a 15 bbl brewing system producing small-batch beers across a broad style range with stated emphasis on Lagers, IPAs, and Imperial Stouts, including barrel-aged releases aged 18-36 months in whiskey, rum, and brandy barrels. The product portfolio extends beyond traditional beer into non-alcoholic beverages (Hop Water, Sauna Water, kombucha, NA beers), THC/CBD seltzers (FIZZ, Green Party), and flavored seltzers (Brian Margarita), sold both on draft and in 4-pack to-go formats. The company has earned multiple Craft Brewers Awards, including Brewery of the Year recognition, with District 5 NE IPA (1st Hazy IPA, 3rd Best in Show) and The Draftsman (1st Amber Lagers) as award flagships.

The business operates a destination-experience go-to-market anchored by a waterfront taproom with multi-modal access (5 transient boat slips, Dakota Trail bike access, motorcycle/car access) and a programming calendar of food trucks, live music, sports viewings, charity runs, the Artimer Market, and private events. Beer names follow a storytelling tradition honoring famous Minnesotans and Minnesota heritage, and traditional Viking-inspired ale bowls are used as a signature glassware experience. Distribution is Minnesota-only, served through a long tail of liquor stores and on-premise accounts surfaced via a public Beer Finder page, with distribution inquiries directed to a named staff contact.

The revenue model blends transaction-based taproom draft sales (including Mon-Fri happy hour pricing), packaged to-go beer (build-your-own 4-packs and tiered vintage bottle pricing), digital gift cards via Toasttab, and private event venue rentals. Marketing is organic social-led across Facebook, Instagram, and Untappd, supplemented by an email newsletter. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent, institutional investors, funding rounds, or revenue figures; named staff referenced publicly includes Brianna, Brian, Joe, Josh, Jason, Brent, Karlos, and Jules.

Name

Back Channel Brewing Co.

Legal name

Back Channel Brewing Co.

Website

https://backchannelbrewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Back Channel Brewing Co. is a craft brewery and destination taproom in Spring Park, MN, producing small-batch beers across multiple styles and serving Lake Minnetonka visitors via on-premise sales, to-go packaged beer, and Minnesota-only wholesale distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewery

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF), Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Destination taproom
• Barrel-aged stouts
• Small-batch beer
• Waterfront brewery

Headquarters

HQ city

Spring Park

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Taproom Beer Sales: On-site draft beer sales at the destination taproom with happy hour pricing (Mon-Fri 12-3pm). Includes specialty pours and draft options.
2. To-Go Beverages: 4-packs of 16oz cans, 500ml bottles, and build-your-own 4-packs available for off-premise consumption. Includes standard beers, barrel-aged specialties, and seasonal releases.
3. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold through Toasttab platform for taproom purchases.
4. Private Events: Venue rental for private events during non-business hours with beverage minimums and potential rental fees. Includes corporate events, parties, and group bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Back Channel Brewing Co. is a craft brewery and destination taproom operating a 15 bbl brewing system on Lake Minnetonka in Spring Park, Minnesota. It produces and sells small-batch beers—emphasizing lagers, IPAs, and barrel-aged imperial stouts—through on-site draft pours, to-go 4-packs and 500ml bottles, and Minnesota-only wholesale distribution to liquor stores and on-premise accounts. The taproom also hosts private events, an outdoor vendor market (Artimer Market), live music, and food trucks.

Product overview

Back Channel Brewing Co. is a destination brewery and taproom located on Lake Minnetonka in Spring Park, MN. The company operates a 15 bbl brewing system and produces small-batch craft beers with emphasis on Lagers, IPAs, and Imperial Stouts. The product portfolio centers on draft beers served on tap in the taproom (including On Tap Beers and 16oz Can Pours), packaged To-Go Beverages in 4-packs of 16oz cans, and limited-release Barrel-Aged Imperial Stouts and Wee Heavies aged in various spirit barrels. The taproom also offers Non-Alcoholic Beverages (Hop Water, Kombucha, craft sodas, Yerba Mate, NA beers), THC/CBD Drinks (FIZZ and Green Party THC Seltzers), Food Items (snacks and jerky), Gift Cards via Toasttab, and seasonal Merchandise. Specialty offerings include Brian Margarita Seltzer (available as a slushy) and award-winning District 5 NE IPA. The venue supports Private Events and hosts Artimer Market outdoor vendor events with live music.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• On Tap Beers Draft craft beers (lagers, IPAs, wheat beers, porters, stouts, fruited specialties) brewed on a 15 bbl system and served at the destination taproom on Lake Minnetonka; for on-site consumers and walk-in visitors.
• To-Go Beer 4-Packs and Bottles Packaged 16oz cans sold as 4-packs (build-your-own 4-pack option) and 500ml bottles of barrel-aged releases for off-premise consumption; for retail customers and visitors taking beer home.
• Barrel-Aged Imperial Stouts and Wee Heavies Limited-release vintage beers aged 18-36 months in bourbon, rum, rye, and brandy barrels (e.g., Soviet Slayer, Soviet Savior, Class100 Wee Heavy); sold as 500ml bottles to collectors and taproom visitors.
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages Alcohol-free options including Hop Water, Lake Water sparkling water, Sauna Water botanical sparkling water, J's Kombucha on tap, craft sodas, Yerba Mate, and Best Day Brewing NA beers; for designated drivers and non-drinking guests.
• THC and CBD Drinks Cannabis-infused beverages including FIZZ THC Seltzer (10mg THC), Green Party THC/CBD Seltzer (10mg THC/10mg CBD), Birch's THC ginger ale, and BLNCD CBD sparkling water; sold individually to adult consumers.
• Gift Cards Digital gift cards sold through the Toasttab platform for taproom purchases; for gifting customers.
• Private Events Venue rental for private events during non-business hours (Mondays, lunch periods Tue-Thu) with beverage minimums and potential rental fees; for corporate events, parties, and group bookings.
• Brian Margarita Seltzer Signature margarita-flavored seltzer (5.25% ABV) available as a slushy in the taproom; for on-site consumers.
• District 5 NE IPA Award-winning New England IPA (6.25% ABV) with melon, ripe stone fruit, and agave notes; served on tap and distributed to MN retailers.
• Minnesota Wholesale Distribution Wholesale distribution of Back Channel beers to liquor stores and on-premise bars/restaurants throughout Minnesota; for retail and hospitality accounts.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Luce Line BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration brewing partnership on House Shot Hero, a New World West Coast IPA. The beer pays tribute to Brent's favorite pastime: bowling. The artwork is inspired by the oil patterns applied to bowling lanes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Castle Danger Brewery: Two Harbors, MN craft brewery on Lake Superior with a destination taproom model; comparable as a Minnesota destination brewery leveraging a distinctive geographic setting.
• Lake Monster Brewing: Minneapolis craft brewery with taproom and MN distribution; comparable as a Minnesota craft peer with similar product breadth (lagers, IPAs, stouts) and on-premise focus.
• Luce Line Brewing: Minnesota craft brewery partner referenced in collaborations; comparable small-batch craft producer operating in the same regional market and channel set.
• Inbound BrewCo: Minneapolis craft brewery with taproom and MN distribution; comparable as a small-to-mid Minnesota craft peer competing for similar accounts and consumer occasions.
• Luceline Brewing: Minnesota craft brewery and named collaboration partner (House Shot Hero collab); directly comparable in size, craft positioning, and Minnesota-local distribution.

Regional players

• Fulton Brewing: Minneapolis-based craft brewery with taproom and broader MN distribution; comparable as a regional craft producer competing for taps, shelf space, and on-premise accounts across Minnesota.
• Bauhaus Brew Labs: Minneapolis craft brewery with a strong taproom/events programming model; comparable in emphasizing events, food trucks, and community-driven taproom experience in the Minnesota market.
• Lift Bridge Brewing Company: Stillwater, MN craft brewery with taproom presence and MN-focused distribution; directly comparable as a Minnesota craft peer competing for similar consumer occasions and retail accounts.
• Indeed Brewing Company: Minneapolis craft brewery operating a destination taproom and distributing across the Midwest; comparable target customer (local craft enthusiasts) and similar taproom-plus-wholesale GTM.
• Surly Brewing Co. Iconic Minnesota craft brewery with a destination taproom (Surly Beer Hall) model; comparable in regional craft identity, taproom-led GTM, and Minnesota distribution footprint, though at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/back-channel-brewing-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Back Channel Brewing Co.