Lift Bridge Brewing Company Celebrates Five Years in Business

Lift Bridge Brewing Company will be celebrating its five year anniversary on Sept. 7 with its 2013 Pickin’ and Grinnin’ Party — the largest event ever hosted at the brewery to date.

The party will not only commemorate this milestone, but it will also kick off the beginning of hop harvest season in Minnesota.

The ‘Pickin’' is an annual tradition that is key to the creation of Lift Bridge’s limited-edition autumn brew, Harvestör™. Guests are invited to help pick local, organic, fresh hops at the brewery to be used for live brewing during the event. Bluegrass bands will perform throughout the day, including a special performance from the Kurt Jorgenson Band at 7 p.m.. Attendees can enjoy food from local Stillwater vendors, and can also enjoy the annual Lift Bridge Oktoberfest Barrel Tapping at 4 p.m. To show appreciation to all Lift Bridge supporters, the brewery will give away prizes on the 5’s during the event. These prizes range from five gallons of beer to five growlers of beer and beyond.

“We have experienced exponential growth in the last five years, and hope that our next five years as a brewery are just as promising,” said Dan Schwarz, CEO and Co-Owner of Lift Bridge Brewing Company in a news release. “2013 was a year of unprecedented growth for the brewery, but now we are focusing on future growth opportunities, and we have major growth plans in the works.”

In 2013, Lift Bridge completed its largest expansion by adding three new, 30-barrel fermenters and one 40-barrel beer tank. With this newly installed equipment, Lift Bridge can now brew up to 13,000 gallons of beer at a time. The brewing company also recently completed its largest geographical expansion to date. In May 2013, the brewery entered three new markets, which completed the brewery’s statewide market presence.

The Lift Bridge Brewery began in a one-car garage with three tanks. Now, the brewery is using an 11,000-square-foot building to house its thirteen-tank brewing operation. This Minnesota brewery was able to brew just 105 barrels in 2008. By 2012, the brewery was making 3,400 barrels a year, and in 2013, Lift Bridge Brewery is expected to produce 5,000+ barrels.

The event will be held from noon to 10 p.m. at 1900 Tower Drive in Stillwater. The event is free.