Published on: Fri, 04/11/2008 - 14:58
Beer is a powerful motivator. Despite a fierce rain/snowstorm, a large crowd gathered at Summit Brewery on April 10th to learn about the history of the brewing industry in Saint Paul. Historic Saint Paul’s Preservation Talk (What’s Brewing in Saint Paul?) featured Doug Hoverson, the author of Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota.
Hoverson’s talk focused on the unique geographic attributes that make Minnesota and Saint Paul a near-ideal place to brew beer. According to Hoverson, the confluence of water, grain, caves, thirsty immigrant groups and brewing innovation solidified Saint Paul’s status as the “brewing capital of Minnesota.” Additionally, Hoverson highlighted the importance of local breweries in shaping neighborhood identities.
Following Hoverson’s remarks, Naomi Chu, the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center, presented her organization’s plans for the redevelopment of the Hamm Brewery. Chu remarked that despite the recent veto of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center’s $5 million bonding request, the organization would continue to pursue its dream of creating a center for the Asian community in Minnesota in the historic site.
Hamm Brewery
Next, Jeff Cohen, Co-manager of Brewtown, LLC shared his vision for the future of Saint Paul’s other vacant brewery, Schmidt. Cohen announced that earlier that same day, Brewtown, LLC submitted an application to have the area encompassing the Schmidt Brewery designated as a historic district. Cohen also elaborated on the importance of public input in the redevelopment process and highlighted the critical role of the West 7th/Fort Road Federation.
Alex Friedrich of the Pioneer Press wrote an article about the event: St. Paul Renewal: Empty cross-town breweries await their separate fates. The article provides specific details (and maps) about the redevelopment schemes:
If everything goes smoothly, Jeff Cohen said, work on the first few buildings should begin in spring 2009 and finish about a year and a half later. The final stages should be done within five years — but could take longer.
“...It’s an extraordinary opportunity to create a historic urban village,” Cohen said. But “it’s overwhelming as to its complexity.”
Plans to turn three buildings on the Hamm’s site into the Asian-Pacific Cultural Center have stalled due to Pawlenty’s veto a week ago of $5 million in state funding for the center.
The proposed $18 million center at Payne and Minnehaha avenues in Swede Hollow was designed to honor Minnesota’s Asian population and its history.
Its 55,000 square feet — the hop house, brew house and an adjacent building — would contain a theater, classrooms, library and gallery, among other things, and could draw as many as 100,000 visitors a year.
In addition to the speakers, a local Schmidt Brewery memorabilia collector, Dave Davis, was in attendance to share (a small portion) of his remarkable collection. Davis’s photos and Schmidt marching band uniforms (very rare finds—see photo) were a hit with attendees—especially those that grew up in the West 7th neighborhood.
Dave Davis, Schmidt Memorabilia Collector
The take-home lesson from the evening was that Saint Paulites should drink their (local) beer with pride. After all, the production (and consumpton) of beer is a long held Saint Paul tradition. Cheers!
Historic Saint Paul would like to thank the event co-sponsors: Summit Brewery and Bergin Fruit and Nut Company for providing refreshments for the Preservation Talk.
