Published: February 01, 2008 02:13 am         

Back Roads: Family brew

Originally published in the January 25, 2008, print edition.

With a name like Brau (German for “brew”), one would think the Brau family had a long brewing tradition. But the Brau Brothers Brewing Co. in Lucan has sprung not from heritage but from hobby.

“I guess we’re first generation brewers,” said brewmaster Dustin Brau. He and his wife, Mary, hotel and restaurant graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University, started home brewing while in college, planning to incorporate it into a restaurant.

They did just that when they opened the Brauhaus, a brew pub in Lucan (pop. 220). The 11-by-14-foot room in which they brewed was very limited. It also meant they were limited to selling their beer in the restaurant.

About a year ago they moved the brewing to a separate building in Lucan, and Brau Brothers Brewing Co. was born. Their distribution covers the entire southern part of Minnesota and up into central Minnesota, to just north of St. Cloud and the Twin Cities.

This is a genuine family operation. Dustin is the CEO and brewmaster. Brother Brady handles the computer and internet technology. Brother Trevor is CFO and a marketing person. And father Dale is the plant engineer. “We build a lot of our own equipment,” Dustin said.

With a capacity of 4,000 to 5,000 barrels, they are at about half-capacity now, producing five core beers — pale ale, Bohemian pilsner, Scotch ale (which has won awards), cream stout and strawberry wheat.

To these they add Single Batch Series, made in very small runs. Last fall, the 900 cases of Ring Neck Braun Ale sold out to retailers in nine days. They brewed 1,400 cases of Frame Straightener, a Belgian pale ale made with imported Belgian barley malt. It went on sale this January.

Their small size and distribution methods give them the flexibility that Dustin likes. He can turn beers around in less than 30 days and come up with something new. They plan to start growing their own hops.

This hobby may well become a family heritage. Dustin is enthusiastic about his work and the future. “Craft beer grew 12 percent last year,” he said. “There are a lot of restaurants ... looking for the next new beer, looking for something their competitors don’t have.” The Brau Brothers intend to supply it.

Find more information at www.braubeer.com, (507) 747-BEER or visit the Brauhaus on Main Street in Lucan.

     

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