First there was Jack Pine Brewery, then Gull Dam Brewery opened; soon the Brainerd Lakes Area will be welcoming a third brewery in Downtown Nisswa, Big Ax Brewing Company. The name pays homage to the North Country feel and the people who first settled here. Co-owner Chris French says he hopes to recreate the same atmosphere for Big Ax Brewing Company as his parents created across the street for Stonehouse Coffee.
Big Ax Brewing Company plans to start with a four-beer lineup of a wheat, pale ale, I.P.A and stout which will incorporate some of the coffee from Stonehouse Coffee. They say they will pay attention to the costumers’ tastes and rotate in a seasonable beer to their lineup. French says Big Ax Brewing Company will focus on bringing the freshest beer possible to Nisswa.
Both Jack Pine and Gull Dam Breweries say they’re excited to see the Brainerd Lakes Area add a third brewery. And hope it’ll bring more craft brew enthusiasts to the area.
Big Ax Brewing Company hopes to open this spring to serve a few rounds in before summer’s tourism season. Big Axe will be the only brewery of the three to serve their own food as well as beer.