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Format Dynamics :: C1eanPrint :: http://www.startribune.com/local/129425153.htm1?page... Page 1 of 3 <br />1NFORMATI4N - -~.~~ _- _ -_ --- <br />F'o~nt ur i <br />~ ~CC7 !' S,~t~. Itt fir CQnI ~'~ <br />~~ __ -._ <br />Surly considers its <br />options as area suitors <br />smooth out obstacles <br />Article by: ,Star Tribune <br />Updated: September 8, 2U1 ~ - 8:53 AM <br />Surly Brewing Co. fought hard this year for a <br />state law allowing it to serve pints of beer at <br />a massive new brewery. Now the hunt begins <br />for the perfect location --and metro-area <br />cities are jumping on the beer wagon. <br />Officials around the region are vying for <br />Surly's attention as the company and a <br />consultant look for the best real estate for <br />its $20 million "destination" brewery, <br />complete with restaurant, beer garden and <br />event center. The six-year-old Brooklyn <br />Center-based company, whose cult <br />following extends far beyond Minnesota, is <br />expected to make the venture a major draw <br />for enthusiasts of its Furious, Bender, <br />CynicAle and other craft brews. <br />"This is something people are going to travel <br />to," said owner Omar Ansari, who plans to <br />build in the metro area. "It's not like it's just a <br />neighborhood tavern." <br />Surly has grabbed the attention of local <br />economic officials, who also see it as a r <br />egional attraction, not just an employer. <br />"People would come here just for that," said <br />Annie Deckert, the director of economic <br />development in Elk River, one of several <br />cities that reached out to Surly. <br />Minneapolis and St. Paul both changed <br />ordinances this summer to allow Surly to set <br />up shop. Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center <br />are preparing to do likewise, and Elk River <br />and Chaska also have called. That's on top of <br />countless contractors, builders and <br />architects who contacted the brewery after <br />the law passed to allow on-site sales for <br />beer-makers. <br />Few officials have been as visible as <br />Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. When Rybak <br />signed the ordinance allowing a liquor <br />manufacturer to sell pints of their product at <br />the brewery -- with Ansari standing behind <br />him -- he tweeted, "Drink beer it's now <br />Minneapolis law!" His spokesman, John Stiles, <br />said Rybak talks "to Surly folks on a regular <br />basis and is helping to lead the team that is <br />working aggressively to get them here." <br />The search for a location might have larger <br />implications for the public if Surly decides to <br />ask for help in financing part of the project, <br />Advertisement <br />„~„~~ ~~r .._ti <br />.t,q <br />r ~~ <br />~~ <br />~~11 ~ <br />TRACE ADKINS <br />~i~~~~~~ 1~1~~J~~Y~a~~i~ <br />http://www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp?unique=1315577335052 09/09/2011 <br />