Jack Pine Brewery -
Have you ever wondered about the significance of the name Jack Pine? Well, I was curious about the backstory so I decided to do some digging. I recently spoke with Patrick Sundbreg, the owner and founder of Jack Pine Brewery. It’s the first brewery in the Brainerd Lakes area since Prohibition. He shared some interesting history behind the jack pine tree in Minnesota.
The “jack” in jack pine does not refer to the proper name, it actually comes to play with how the cones are shaped on the branches. Jack pines are a pioneer species that typically are the first to colonize burned areas and bare mineral soil. Most wild jack pines truly begin their life after a devastating fire. This is their process, many of their seeds are sealed inside the cones with resin, which therefore protects them from drying out. The heat of the flames then melts the resin and the seeds are set free. The circle of life begins with those small seeds growing faster than most of the other trees in the forest. As young as 5 years old, the jack pine tree will start to create the next generation of seeds. The jack pine is the most common species of pine in the state of Minnesota.
Like the jack pine tree, this company started out as a small seed and blossomed quickly. Patrick started out homebrewing and volunteering as a judge at competitions, gaining as much knowledge throughout the process. Putting his knowledge to the test, Patrick acquired a National rank in the Beer Judge Certificate Program. It became apparent his love for beer was not just a hobby anymore, but a dream in the making.
The first time I visited Jack Pine Brewery was back in 2013 when Patrick and his wife opened up a small brewery on College Drive in Baxter. It didn’t take long for the Brainerd Lakes area to fall in love with Patrick’s tasty brews. By 2017 Jack Pine had a brand new brewery and taproom, now located on Edgewood Drive next to Arrowwood Lodge and Water Park. The 7,400 square-foot building not only offers a wide variety of fresh brews but also a full taproom to sit and enjoy the experience. See for yourself how the magic happens! Have a larger group or event? Their new Pioneer Room is available to rent for any special occasion. Jack Pine caters to all beer enthusiasts and their sidekicks, where you can bring your kids and four-legged friends to hang out on the patio and listen to some live music. Check out their event calendar online, announcing tasty food trucks that you must try, as well as the weekly in-house events.
It’s not only about the fancy new building and taproom, their growth and support from the community has spread tremendously throughout the past 10 years. Jack Pine is also available in over 400+ locations, whether you're grabbing a glass at your local restaurant or picking up a case for the weekend. From the dark richness of the “Nitro Stout” to one of their originals “Dead Branch” for the light beer drinkers, they even have teas and seltzers on tap. Their selection is constantly growing, with a new beer coming out every Friday! If you haven’t visited your locally owned Jack Pine Brewery, you are definitely missing out on all they have to offer. Stop in after work for a sample flight and unwind!
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