About Blacklist
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OUR MISSION
Blacklist Brewing Co. (est. 2012) is Duluth’s oldest production brewery, crafting a variety of world class award winning brews from hard seltzers to Belgian brews
WHATS WITH THE NAME
The name “Blacklist” comes from medieval Europe when traditional brewmasters banned newer “rogue” brewmasters using non-traditional fermentation techniques from their breweries to avoid potential perceived cross contamination. We explore and use various fermentation techniques in the spirit of the once viewed rogue brewmasters
BRIAN SCHANZENBACH
CO-OWNER, BREWMASTER
Brian knows his ales from his lagers and has the cred to back it up.
Born and raised in Northern Minnesota, our Head Brewer and Co-owner, Brian, knew he’d found his calling after dabbling in homebrewing while still in college. He knew one day he wanted to open a craft brewery. After graduation, Brian went the extra mile (literally) and attended two of the most respected educational programs, in the world, specializing in craft beer. After completing those rigorous programs, Brian took his passion for craft beer, and his impressive education back home, and went to work in local breweries. In 2012, Brian’s dream came true; he opened Blacklist with two business partners. Since that time, his beers have won several prestigious craft beer awards.
Favorite Blacklist Beer: Classic Wit (but, he is a sucker for our special releases that are only available in the taproom)
TYLER SCHIROO
SALES MANAGER
Tyler was born and raised in central Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2012, he had already fallen in love with our amazing town of Duluth. Camping, fishing, hiking, and all the outdoor fun is what really made him decide to stay in town. Tyler developed his passion for craft beer shortly after graduation. When the opportunity to work for our local brewery came up he couldn't pass up the chance. He started working with us in the summer of 2018 and has been with us through all of the changes throughout the years. Tyler wears many hats but the main focus is working with our distribution partners. If you see anything of ours outside of our taproom he definitely had a hand in getting it there for you! If you catch him out in the wild make sure to ask him about the secret north shore adventure spots!
Favorite Blacklist Beer: Or Cran. ODB meets cranberries! Sweet full flavored beer that comes out like champagne and gets the job done at 10% ABV
MACKENZIE (“MACK”) HOPKINS
TAPROOM MANAGER
Mack was born and raised in Cloquet Minnesota but has been a resident of Duluth for almost 15 years. A college graduate from UWS for social work with a side gig serving at the original Blacklist taproom in 2016. She quickly fell in love with Blacklist and all of the free beer see is able to enjoy. Let’s just say she put her “social work” degree to good use at Blacklist!
Today she is the glue that runs the taproom and much much more. If you have a suggestion or improvement, go to Mack and she will do her best to make it happen.
Dog lover with two of her own; Indi & Bruce. She enjoys traveling, going to concerts and considers herself a closet Gordon Ramsey.
I guess you could her ‘California sober’ as one of her favorite drinks are the Bridged Series 10mg THC Seltzers, specifically the Grape Punch one.
Favorite Blacklist Beer: The Verte - a dry-hopped version of the OBD made at the original taproom but discontinued probably because I drank too much of it
RAY MINDESTROM
AXE THROWING, MAINTENANCE & SPECIAL EVENTS / MUSIC MANAGER
Ray fell in love with the craft beer industry while working for another local craft beer brand in 2014. Ray became a frequent visitor when Blacklist opened their first taproom in 2016; through those visits, a relationship formed that would bring him to the place he now calls ‘home.’ He finally started a position with us in 2017 as a server / beertender and worked his way into management in 2018.
“I really fell in love with the family aspect of the staff and the regulars.”
Ray does a little bit of everything around the brewery from beertending, axe coaching, maintenance, special event planning, music booking, canning, keg washing, and whatever is needed.
When Ray is NOT working, he loves to fish, play softball, grill / smoke meat, and go to other breweries!
Favorite Blacklist moment: Crowd surfing at the Dreadnoughts/Winzigehosen Oktoberfest show.
Favorite Beer: Verte was the beer that brought me to the taproom; today, it’s our ‘Kind of A Big Dill’ pickle lager and St. Louis County Oak-Aged Imperial Stout.