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Click on any of the photos below to view each team member’s bio!
Owner/General Manager
Owner/Business Manager
Owner/Head Brewer
Dog Ambassador
From prehistoric caves, laboratories, thunderstorms, and hot tubs to forests, dreams, and showers—ideas of all shapes and sizes come to us in a myriad of ways—but the best ideas are almost always conceived over a couple of beers among friends. The Marine Corps. Shark Week. Buffalo Wings. The Ironman Triathlon. And…Paddlefish Brewing Company—the first brewery in St. Peter since Engesser Brewery Distributors threw in the towel in 1942. That is over eighty years without selling “pure grains of keg beer distributed in single service containers” (as an old advertisement of Engesser’s quipped.) It goes without saying that that is eighty years too long. Thankfully, a trio of beer lovers named Eric Johnson, Luke Dragseth, and Dave Long are bringing a brewery business back to this fine town in the fall of 2023.
This is the story of how St. Peter’s first brewery in over 80 years came about. It begins, as it should, with some damn good beer. At Paddlefish Brewing Company, everything worth talking about begins with damn good beer. In this case, we must raise a glass to Paddlefish head brewer Luke Dragseth—born and raised in “Brew City” Milwaukee—for concocting and sharing his delicious home-brewed Cream Ale for his friends at Gustavus Adolphus College. One of those friends lucky enough to imbibe that batch was none other than owner and business manager Eric Johnson. With Luke’s Cream Ale nourishing his friends in body, mind, and soul, Eric got an idea and joked that he’d like a chance to sell Luke’s product. The idea germinated unseen until Paddlefish’s entrepreneur extraordinaire was enjoying a cold one at Bent Paddle—another Gustie-owned brewery—and that seedling of an idea that sprouted as a joke among friends transformed into a glorious vision to create St. Peter’s very own brewery and taproom.
So after spending hours crafting and perfecting the best beer recipes using equipment in his dorm room, Luke is elevating his talents to the next level. Eric, having put several thousand miles on his feet completing the many tasks of a brewery business manager is also ready and so is their industry expert Dave who has been busy developing the brand and stepping up his managerial skills. The ultimate goal of selling Luke’s damn good “keg beer in single service containers” is fast approaching. Stay tuned for all the ways you can join the fun and contribute to our mission to become St. Peter’s finest community-oriented brewery, a place where you can enjoy some of the best damn beer in the state among your friends for years to come.
And now our beloved beer fans, this is where Paddlefish Brewing Company’s story is almost ready to merge with your own. With gratitude, excitement, laughter, humility, nervousness, and a whole lot of passion, we simply can’t wait to raise a glass of Paddlefish pure grains together!
🎄✨ Maker’s Market at Paddlefish Brewing! ✨🎄
Get your holiday shopping done while supporting local makers and small businesses! Join us on Sunday, December 8th, from 11am-4pm for a festive day filled with unique handmade goods, delicious beer, and holiday cheer. 🍻
🛍️ Calling all vendors! Interested in being a part of our market? Check out the QR code on the next image (or link in bio) to sign up and showcase your amazing creations. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait!
Mark your calendars, grab your friends, and get ready to shop local. We can’t wait to see you there! 🎁
(You can also cheer on the Vikes against the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins while the game plays on our TVs in the background! 🏈)
We’re spreading our wings, and our brews are flying off to your favorite local spots! 🐟🍺 Here’s where you can find us:
📍St. Peter, Mankato, Jordan, Inver Grove Heights & Minneapolis!
📍View the full map here: https://www.paddlefishbrewing.com/store-finder/
🕵️ Where would YOU like to see us next? Drop a comment below or tag your favorite spot to let them know you’re craving Paddlefish brews! 🙏
🌟 Let the game begin! Catch ‘em all! When you visit one of these locations, snap a pic of your pint and tag us @paddlefishbrewing so we can share your beer journey! 📸 🍺 If you catch ‘em all and tag us, you’ll earn yourself a piece of Paddlefish swag!
🍺 This week at Paddlefish! 🍺
🎤 Tues: Open Mic @ 6pm
👩⚕️ Wed: Grey’s Anatomy Trivia @ 6pm
💰 Thurs: Bingo @ 6pm (@russellstravelingkitchen Russell’s Food Truck from 4-8pm)
🐶 Fri: BYOD (Bring your dog, get a $1 off your pint)
🎶 Fri: The Coyotes @ 6-9pm
🍺 Sat: Flight BOGO until 5pm
🏈 Sun: Vikes vs Bears $2 off pints during game!
🎤 OPEN MIC TOMORROW STARTING AT 6PM!!! Wanna perform? Swing by between 5:30-6 to get your name on the board!
Hosted by local musician, Chase D Burkhart!
🚨 SPECIALTY BEER ALERT 🚨
Introducing our small batch Scenic Drive Grapefruit IPA!
This refreshing IPA delivers a burst of bright, juicy grapefruit flavor balanced with a hoppy backbone and a hint of citrus zest. Perfectly crisp and invigorating—like a scenic drive on a sunny day. 🚗 🛣️ ☀️
6.4% ABV
43 IBUs
Upcoming Events at Paddlefish!
🍺 Stop by for Happy Hour pricing every Tuesday to Thursday from 12-5pm! 🍺
Fri 11/15: 🎶 High Strung 6-9pm
Sat 11/16: 🍲 Russell’s Food Truck 12-8pm
Sun 11/17: 🏈 Vikings Watch Party @ Noon, $2 off pints
🎶 Tyler Herwig 3-6pm (following the game)
NEXT WEEK
Tues 11/19: 🎤 Open Mic with Chase Burkhart at 6pm!
Our first go at open mic! Bring your instrument, or borrow one from the stage 🎸
Wed 11/20: 👩⚕️ Grey’s Anatomy Trivia night starts at 7!
Thur 11/21: 💰 Bingo with American Legion at 6pm!
Check out our website for more events and updates on food trucks! Cheers!
Cheers to our summer brewing stud, Sagan Shetka! 🍻
He may have hung up his Paddlefish apron, but he’s still repping his favorite Mountain Mama West Coast IPA and Paddlefish shirt, always ready to quote Arnold Schwarzenegger on a moment’s notice (Get to da choppa!) 🚁
When he’s not sipping his outside favorite Surly Furious, or fixing up windows at St. Peter Glass, he’s on the hunt for an engineering gig! 🚀
Thanks for all the good times and great brews, Sagan! We’ll know that ‘you’ll be bock’. Hasta La Vista, Baby!
(Another shout out to Barb Page, who does an amazing job with these ceramic mugs!)
On Veterans Day, we at Paddlefish Brewing want to thank you to all veterans for your service and sacrifices. To show our appreciation, we’re offering buy one, get one free 16 oz beers for all veterans today.
We’d be honored to raise a glass with you!
We’re also excited to introduce our new extended hours! Open Mondays from 4-8pm and open at NOON Tuesday through Thursday!
👜 Join us tomorrow for our very FIRST Makers Market from 11am-4pm in our taproom! We’ve got 10 fantastic vendors lined up, showcasing everything from handcrafted cutting boards and cribbage boards to unique jewelry, 3D-printed toys, festive dog bandannas, delicious cheesecake, cheese bread, soft pretzels, fresh kettle corn, handmade ornaments, decorative wine bottles, and more!
Come hungry and thirsty—🌮El Mexicano Food Truck will be serving up delicious Mexican cuisine from 11am-4pm. Plus, take advantage of $2 off pints while you cheer on the Vikings from 12-3pm on our TVs in the background. Don’t forget to fill up your growler for just $15, available exclusively on Sundays. Beyond the Vikings game deal, your first pint is always $1 off on Sundays! Holy guacamole!
🚨 New Beer Alert! 🚨
Introducing our Coach Brooks Brown Ale!
Herb Brooks was one of Minnesota’s most iconic hockey coaches. Brooks is most widely known for his role in leading Team USA to victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic men’s hockey tournament; dubbed “The Miracle on Ice”.
Coincidentally, Paddlefish Co-Owner, Dave Long, recently welcomed a son named Brooks to the team. He is our “Miracle on Minnesota Avenue”, if you will. Big shoes to fill buddy... but you’ve got this!
This brown ale is nutty & roasty, with notes of chocolate and caramel paired with an earthy, crisp hop profile.
Brewed just in time for hockey season, Coach Brooks will have you feeling like a winner all winter long.
4.5%ABV
20 IBUs
BINGO! Get ready for our FIRST night of bingo at Paddlefish tomorrow night!
Starting this month, bingo will be hosted by the American Legion every first and third Thursday at Paddlefish, starting at 6pm!
$12 for a packet, bring a dobber if you have one, otherwise we’ll have some extras!
🗳️ No matter which side you’re on, your voice matters, so let’s get out and vote! Afterward, swing by the taproom and show us your ‘I Voted’ sticker for $1 off all your beers 🍺
🍺 This week at PFBC 🍺
Every Tuesday-Thursday, we have Happy Hour pricing from 3-5pm!
💰 Thurs: Our first night of Bingo from 6-8pm! Cash prizes, must be 18+ to play! $12 at the door for a packet
🥙 Fri: Our favorite gyros from Pharaoh’s Gyro’s 4-8pm
🍗 🎤 Sat: Big Daddy’s BBQ and Karaoke with Karl from 6-9pm!
🧶 Sun: Makers Market from 11am-4pm! Local crafts, tasty treats, and unique finds at our very first Makers Market!
🌮 El Mexican Food Truck will also be serving up their tacos from 11-4pm!
🏈 For those not wanting to shop, you can watch the Vike’s game starting at noon!
💀Part II of our Hallo-weekend was a graaaave time…no Bones about it 💀
📸 Bones Malone and his squad were in full swing, striking poses with his biggest fans and adding extra chills to the night
🎃 Thanks to everyone who dressed up and brought the spirit—looking forward to the next year’s bash! 🎃
🎃 Part I of our Halloween Bash was enjoyed by pups, people and potato heads alike!
👻 Part II of our Halloweekend starts today! 12-midnight 🕛
🎃 HALLO-WEEKEND PART II
TOMORROW 12-10PM
SPOOKY SELTZERS
LIVE MUSIC
FOOD TRUCK
LATE NIGHT DANCE PARTY
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Reopening Friday, March 15th!
We are in the process of brewing more beer in our new, larger tanks so we don’t have to do this in the future! Thanks for your patience!
