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)
RAY MINDESTROM
GENERAL MANAGER & HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION
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, 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.