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612 Brew Tap Room Open for Business

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The owners of 612 Brew were shooting for a December 2012 opening for their new northeast Minneapolis tap room, but delays forced them to wait almost two extra months. In the end, it was exactly what they needed.

"That time allowed us to do a few extra things and bring this experience to more of a reality then what it might have been back then," said Ryan Libby, co-owner of 612 Brew.

The new brewery and tap room is located on the corner of Central Avenue and Broadway Street in what used to be an old paper warehouse.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports

On Wednesday, Libby and three other owners proudly opened the doors to the tap room and were greeted by a thirsty crowd anxious to try one their hand crafted beers.

"Currently, we have four beers on tap," said Libby.

Their beer called Rated R is described as a "West Coast IPA meets Midwest Rye" and Zero Hour is a black ale. The "SIX" is named after a local bus route.

"The IPAs are really good," said Brian Welle, a customer. "They're not super hoppy and they are light alcohol content, so I guess they're more of a session beer."

In May of 2011, Minnesota lawmakers passed what's been called the "Surly Bill," which allows brewers to sell their beers on site. Since then tap rooms have been opening across the Twin Cities.

612 Brew now joins Dangerous Man Brewing and Indeed Brewing Co. who opened tap rooms in the last six months in Northeast Minneapolis.

Libby says within a month or two they'll offer an Indian cuisine with the help of the Tandoor Indian Restaurant in Bloomington. For now, a food truck is parked outside.

"I'm extremely proud of the effort we put into it," said Libby. "I couldn't be happier."

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