Northland brewers look ahead after pandemic losses
Local breweries relied on to-go and liquor store sales to get through pandemic shutdowns, but that wasn t enough to prevent more than $186 million in economic losses across the state. Written By: Laura Butterbrodt | ×
Bent Paddle employee Craig Faast checks to make sure there are no leaky cans in a 12-pack of Kanu Session Pale Ale in February 2020. (Steve Kuchera / News Tribune)
A new research report by the University of Minnesota Extension revealed that the state’s craft breweries lost more than $186 million in economic activity due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The study, done in partnership with the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, compiled responses from 95 breweries across the state. In 2019, the industry generated more than $1 billion in economic activity and attracted about 3.6 million people to craft brewing events. During the pandemic, 1,050 of the 8,345 jobs supported by the craft brewing
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. taproom in Duluth. Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Minnesota Craft Breweries’ Sales Dipped 18 Percent in 2020 A report from the University of Minnesota Extension quantifies the pandemic s impact on craft breweries in the state. Bent Paddle Brewing Co. taproom in Duluth. Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
It probably comes as no surprise that American alcohol consumption grew during the pandemic, but that hasn’t necessarily benefitted Minnesota’s brewers.
In 2020, the state’s craft breweries saw an 18 percent year-over-year decline in sales, according to a new report from the University of Minnesota Extension.
University economists say the sales decline doesn’t fully capture the depth of loss last year. Alongside a drop in revenue, many breweries had to make costly operational changes to adjust to the pandemic. They also faced a decline in on-site food sales.
DULUTH – Bent Paddle Brewing's annual "Festiversary" in May has been canceled for a second year in a row as the pandemic continues to push back plans despite progress toward mass COVID-19 immunity and optimism among other event planners that things will improve by summer. "Due to the ongoing seriousness of COVID-19, we have made the extremely tough but necessary decision to postpone .
For the second year running, Bent Paddle cancels its Festiversary
The move was taken due to the ongoing seriousness of COVID-19.
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Bent Paddle Brewing has announced that for the second year running, its Festiversary event is canceled.
While the COVID-19 situation in Minnesota is improving while vaccinations are rising, the Duluth brewery feels that May is too soon to be holding its annual celebration. Due to the ongoing seriousness of COVID-19, we have made the extremely tough but necessary decision to postpone Festiversary once again for 2021, it posted on its Facebook page. So moan a little then dry your eyes and put on your big girl/boy pants and mark down what WILL be a party of epic proportions 3 years in the making | May 21, 2022!