Over the last 19 years, FINNEGANS has started to emerge as a well-known brand for many of us beer-enthusiasts in the state of Minnesota. You can find their beer on tap at many local bars and restaurants and available for purchase at a variety of liquor stores throughout the state. You’ll also find their beer at many of our prominent venues and events such as US Bank Stadium, Target Field, The Armory, and the MN State Fair. Although many of us here have come to know the brand by their product, it’s surprising to find how few of us really understand the story.
Have you ever been at the grocery store and had that fuzzy feeling after hand-picking a Newman’s Own product off the shelf? I know I remember a time I had a craving for salsa and then suddenly found a reason to feel good about myself. Well, get ready to immerse yourself with this feeling once again and give yourself that similar pat-on-the-back that next time you drink a FINNEGANS beer. From now on, as you peruse through that beer list at your local establishment you can feel rest-assured that 100% of their profits from your purchase are allocated toward stocking food shelves with locally-raised produce in your local communities. This has been the business model for FINNEGANS since the company was founded in 2000; they also then, became the first beer company of its kind in the world.
Today, FINNEGANS is now the second longest running “social enterprise” as well; second only to Newman’s Own – the company that makes that salsa I buy at the grocery store I feel good about. Similarly, to Newman’s Own who has achieved substantial growth over the years, FINNEGANS is following suite. They’ve now grown to the tenth largest beer company in Minnesota, while also expanding into much of the mid-west.
In addition to the partnership they’ve established with The Food Group in Minnesota, the FINNEGANS Community Fund also provides funding to the Hunger Task Force in Wisconsin, the Great Plains Food Bank in North Dakota, Feeding South Dakota, and the Iowa Food Bank Association. Also, the next time you look closely at that beer list you’ll also find their product line is expanding.
In 2017, FINNEGANS brought on Ryan Mihm, as the head brewer. Ryan’s background spans over a decade within the craft beer industry, gaining experience with New Belgium out of Colorado, and most recently as the brew guru for Insight Brewing He’s been shaking things up and doing some creative things; including a featured beer last fall which they brewed in a 1,600-pound pumpkin – honestly, no joke.
Their most popular beer, which has been around now for decades is FINNEGANS Irish Ale. Now they offer an extensive menu of other ales, IPAs, pilsners, stouts, etc. You can check out some of their top sellers here. If you really want to dig in, make a trip over to the FINNEGANS House located within the South East corner of downtown Minneapolis in Elliot Park.
We began to discover this oasis along our Downtown Minneapolis route last season and was truly overwhelmed with the level hospitality and accommodations provided to our staff and our riders. Over the course of the season, and as we began to learn more of their mission of turning beer into food, Pedal Pub Twin Cities struck a deal with the FINNEGANS Community Fund so we could join in on the fun. Beginning last August, we started providing one pound of food for each of our riders to their community fund, and by season’s end, we were able to contribute $2,259! We’re certainly proud of what we gave last season and I’m excited to say we’ll be doing it again for 2019 – this time we’ll be donating one pound for every rider throughout our full season.
