Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Klockow
Hi Tasha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Tasha & Andy Klockow have been together for almost 15 years – meeting in the Twin Cities through mutual friends, they soon discovered they shared a passion for beer. Andy began his career in the music industry and Tasha was working in corporate jobs until Andy made a connection to someone creating a brewery in Lino Lakes, MN who was also a musician. Once Andy transitioned to working at that brewery, the dream began to solidify: to build their own brewery someday in Wisconsin (where Andy is from) or somewhere in northern Minnesota (where Tasha is from). With Andy’s dad selling his business (a rural Wisconsin dentist), he wanted to reinvest in a new business with Andy and Tasha so they began scouting locations. Whenever the couple visited Tasha’s hometown of Grand Rapids, MN it was glaringly obvious that there was a need for a welcoming community space so the Klockows took the plunge into building out their own beer hall.
The process was a whirlwind. With Tasha 4 weeks pregnant in July 2016, the couple met with the Itasca Economic Development Council (IEDC) business consultant Shannon Benolken who agreed to take on whipping the Klockows into shape to open a microbrewery in Grand Rapids. They moved to the area December 2016, incorporated in January 2017, had a baby in March 2017, began brewering beers in August 2017 and opened the doors for business in October 2017 – an unheard of pace in any industry!
Through several invaluable partnerships in the community, from Woodland Bank, the Borealis Homebrewer’s Club, IEDC, Hawk Construction, and many supportive individuals, the Klockow feel immensely grateful for all the hard work ond consideration to have such a warm, welcoming community space to host many different kinds of events and gatherings both formal and informal.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has never been completely smooth, just like any road in the world. The trick is determining when to be proactive versus reactive (if one has the option!) and remaining vigilant and agile.
Running a business through a pandemic was no small feat. The Klockows figured out they could technically run the brewery by themselves but it wasn’t any fun without their amazing staff and patrons. The community really showed up for Klockow Brewing Company during this time and made sure to support it as best they could which was very heartening and humbling.
We try to not take ourselves to seriously and remember at the end of everyday that we make beer so it’s not that serious. We always have two options: work through the struggles or give up. And giving up is not really an option for us.
As you know, we’re big fans of Klockow Brewing Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Klockow Brewing Company (KBC) is a microbrewery which means we have a taproom that can only serve the alcohol we produce and we can distribute our products. The taproom does not have a restaurant (but does have snacks!) so mainly during the warmer months we have food trucks in our parking lot. Otherwise anyone can bring in any outside food or order delivery right to their table from any area restaurant! The only rule is no outside alcohol is allowed. The taproom also offers a wide variety of non-alcoholic options which includes house made options – a non-alcoholic nut brown ale and a carbonated hop seltzer – and several craft sodas and kombuchas!
KBC distributes their been & NA options from International Falls to the north, Superior, WI to the east, Detroit Lakes to the west, and all through the Metro areas (check out the Find Our Beer map on our website)! We pride ourselves on have a good mixture of styles so there is something for everyone in the taproom and out in liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.
The taproom has hosted countless events over the past 7 years that range from all kinds of music, art classes, fundraisers, 5ks, festivals, cookoffs, dance parties, wakes, bachelor/bachelorette parties, baby showers, holiday parties etc. If you can think of it, we’ve probably hosted it! Whether we have regulars or tourists in our taproom, we always have a great welcoming community atmosphere.
What were you like growing up?
Andy and Tasha Klockow have been together since their early 20s, so they kind of became full-fledged adults together. They are always down for an adventure, any adventure. Being partners in every sense of the word (in marriage, parenthood, business) has only brought them closer through the years. Supporting each other in ups and downs, wins and losses, growth and hardships, they are always dreaming and scheming for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://klockowbrewing.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/klockowbrewing
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/klockowbrewing
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/klockowbrewingco.bsky.social
