Boom Island Grand Opening
I sat down with Kevin and Qiuxia Welch to toast the major step and discuss the last few months.
After enlisting friends and family to help, over 20 people and several vehicles showed up to help with the big move day on November 15th. The majority of the brewery was moved that day with work in progress through December 1st.
The entire building was just a bare shell – no plumbing, sheet rock, or flooring. Qiuxia had a vision from the beginning, wanting to create an open brewhouse and taproom so that visitors feel they are a vital part of the process.
To that end, the couple created continuity with steel-adorned walls and industrial feel throughout. The vision is eventually for barrels to line one wall, fulfiling Kevin’s desire to do more traditional-style barrel aging.
There is an intriguing blank fabric screen stretched above the bar to create more intimacy, and a projector will be used to customize the light and design of the taproom.
Checkpoint Welding, a neighboring North Minneapolis business, created much of the stainless steel fixtures as well as the fermenting tanks.
The space showcases so much about the creative couple’s personality, with a re-purposed bar and a garage door painted in the colors of the Belgian flag. Their hope is to have a low-key and inviting environment where everyday people can feel comfortable not just having a beer, but making friends.
Boom Island has seen significantly increased production in the years that they have been open. This move was long-anticipated; The major business vision behind Boom Island has always been to start small and manageable and to grow as demand increases.
Look for 12oz bottles in the near future in addition to their current bomber selection with more special brews available in the taproom. Keg accounts are on the rise, so keep your eyes out for more Boom Island throughout the Twin Cities, too.
This Saturday February 1st join in the festivities from 12 to 9pm! The Donnie Dirk’s food truck, Undead Frank’s, will be on site from 3:30 and traditional dancers will usher in the Chinese New Year inside the brewery. Nearby bars and restaurants will also be featuring Boom Island beer and Donnie Dirk’s will be offering beer cocktails.