MADE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
PAGE 16
September 28/29, 2021
PAID CONTENT
Hobby turned business, Mineral Springs now an Owatonna staple By TOM NELSON
ABOVE PHOTO: Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna celebrates its second anniversary in November. (Tom Nelson photo)
In addition to its taproom, Mineral Springs outdoor patio has proven popular with customers. (Tom Nelson photo)
T
he first operating brewery in Owatonna since the beginning of Prohibition over 100 years ago, Mineral Springs Brewery will celebrate its second anniversary of operation in November. Located in a converted industrial building at 111 N. Walnut Ave. in downtown Owatonna, Mineral Springs Brewery is a concept put together by five long-time city residents who wanted to help bring the craft brewery movement to the community. “A lot of communities have breweries and we really wanted this type of experience for Owatonna,” said Bill Cronin, who is one of the brewery’s owners along with partners Rod Baker, Mark Knutson, Tim Pelton and Mark Sebring. “We felt this type of thing was an important asset to bring to Owatonna and it has proven to have been very well received … the brewery does seem to be a place that people enjoy and appreciate.”
The name Mineral Springs Brewery was first originated by a group of Owatonna home brewing enthusiasts almost 10 years ago. The current owners bought the name and also brought along Pelton, who was part of that original Mineral Springs group. “It was just a fun hobby for them,” Cronin said. “There was no tap room or beer sales — it was strictly home brewing.” The conversation to create the current version of Mineral Springs Brewery began in early 2018 and it took about 18 months for the pieces to be put in place for the grand opening of the Walnut Avenue location in November 2019. Since that time, Mineral Springs Brewery has become a popular destination for area beer lovers looking to try a variety of unique beers in a comfortable and stylish setting. A sizable indoor taproom that features large garage doors that open on to Mineral Springs’ trademark patio,
