our story

Mission Statement

Our mission is to create a space where community, creativity, and history collide with quality beverages and food.

Core Values

• Creativity and openness to new ideas

• Locally focused

• Member-owner driven

• Welcoming and inclusive

• Equitable and transparent workplace

It all started when...

A group of active citizens gathered in August of 2013 to meet and discuss the possibility of opening a brewery in Granite Falls, MN, using the cooperative business model. On October, 17, 2013, Bluenose Gopher Brewery incorporated as a Cooperative Association under Chapter 308B of the Minnesota Statutes.

The Board of Directors developed bylaws, a mission statement, website and purchased a building on a contract for deed.  In June of 2014, the first patron memberships were offered at $150.21, and membership grew to over 150 within a few months. In late 2015, the membership amended the Articles of Organization to allow the sale of nonpatron membership.

In 2016, member-owners launched a campaign to raise $200,000 through Investor Class Membership. Unfortunately, members only raised $42,000 after 5 months in to the campaign, falling short of milestones. The Board of Directors had to make the hard decision to suspend the campaign in June of 2017 and pivot the direction of the cooperative.

The new direction led us to open as a public house, a social drinking establishment. In many places, especially in villages, a public house is the focal point of the community. From fall of 2017 to winter of 2019, volunteers and contractors worked hard to transform our downtown historic building in to a public house. On February 1, 2019, we opened our doors thanks to our member-owners!     

Bluenose Gopher Public House is governed by a seven ­member Board of Directors (elected to two ­year terms) and broader member ­led committees.