Ok, all you Fitger’s lovers residing in the Twin Cities, don’t get your hopes too high…it’s a Duluth delivery area only. However it’s still noteworthy…here’s the full scoop from the Pioneer Press.
DULUTH — Fitger’s Brewhouse in Duluth is updating the old concept of the milkman for beer drinkers.The brewpub says it’s the first in Minnesota to offer home delivery of growlers — half-gallon jugs of fresh beer. The pub plans weekly and daily routes through Duluth.
Brewmaster Dave Hoops says the company will drop off the beer and take the empties away, sort of like and old-time milkman.
The growlers are $14 each, or $11 for a replacement. There’s a special introductory charge of $1 per delivery, but Hoops says with today’s gas prices that will go up.
The pub slowly began the service last month. It takes orders online or by phone. Buyers are required to show identification upon delivery.
The pub guarantees delivery of growlers within 24 hours of an order, although immediate delivery is possible when a driver is available.
The article in Duluth’s local paper, Duluth News Tribune is more informative and actually has an interview with Dave Hoops.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=67902
Here’s the Pioneer Press article for any interested.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_9488761
What a brilliant idea!
Yup, the Pioneer Press piece is a condensed AP verion of the Duluth News Tribune piece. I had heard about this a couple of weeks ago but never got around to posting it. Thanks Kris.
Oh man! I hope no one starts that here in the Twin Cities. Between that and pizza or Jimmy John’s delivery, I’d never have reason to leave the house.
Does anybody know who is brewing for Fitgers?
Are they Brewing their own?
I heard that Schells does the brewing.
Not sure what you’ve been drinking, Joe, but you really should share something that good. As far as I know Fitgers has always brewed their own and continues to do so.
Joe: You’re confusing Fitger’s Brewhouse with the old Fitger’s (Twins Lager) beer.
After the original Fitger’s brewery closed, Schell’s continued to brew Fitger’s, and eventually it became Twins Lager, which we still make today. The Fitgers Brewhouse though, makes all of their owns brews.
As a side note, Schell’s (and Hauenstein for that matter) used to do home deliveries in New Ulm for a long time, but we had to stop during WWII because of the tire shortage.
Kris, Kat and I were at Great Water’s Brewing Co. yesterday evening and had an opportunity to talk with Bob DuVernois. Bob mentioned they are considering home delivery of growlers, either by using their own driver or possibly through a company like Simon Delivers. He said nothing is definite yet.
While preparing for a farm auction, I came across some boxes of old beer bottles. Inside were a couple of different kinds, one of which was a Twins Lager Beer bottle. Since I hadn’t heard of it, I googled it and came across your information about it’s origination. I’m thinking this one is a Schell’s version. Thanks for the info.