New brewery preparing to open in Burnsville despite uncertainty caused by COVID-19

A Twin Cities couple is opening a new brewery amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We want to create the ultimate beer experience for people," said Richard Stein, who owns Ineffable Brewing Company with his wife, Barbara. "It’s kind of a big dream come true for all of us."

Some small businesses, including popular restaurants in the Twin Cities, have permanently closed over the past few months due to the challenges of COVID-19 and civil unrest. Bars and restaurants are still restricted to 50% capacity due to the pandemic.

"We’ve seen the obstacles that we’re going to have to face and overcome," Stein said. "It’s going to take a lot of creativity. Coming out of the gate, I think we want to prove what we can do. It is very exciting but it’s equally terrifying."

Stein said they have been talking with other breweries across the country about how to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. They are planning for social distancing protocols, outdoor seating and "growlers to go."

"One of our big hopes and goals, we want to create an ‘at-home experience’ where maybe you come and pick up food that you want and the beer you want in growlers and you take that home," Stein explained. "I know we’re going into winter, the slow time. That is scary but we hope to find creative ways to solve that."

"I’m recognizing, in our restaurants and bars, they’re figuring it out and they’re making things happen," said Dan Gustafson, a Burnsville city councilmember and board member of Experience Burnsville, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. "We’ve gone from ‘these are the rules’ to ‘how can we make this work?’ And that’s how we’re operating out here these days."

Gustafson said several small businesses have opened up in Burnsville during the pandemic.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS found new business filings are on the rise across the state, with a 33% increase from July 2019 to July 2020, according to statistics from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Stein said, even though opening a new brewery is an investment and a risk, it was an opportunity they could not pass up.

"We’re just going to take it step by step and do what we can," Stein said. "Learn from other people, learn from the best. Our ultimate goal and vision to become one of the best breweries in Minnesota."

Steve Larsen, the head brewer, added, "We want to bring a creative new style to brewing. We’ve come up with some clever stuff, creative stuff. Next week, we will get some beers in the tanks and get them cooking."

Ineffable Brewing Company will open in Burnsville in mid-October.

For more information on the brewery, click here.