Today we’d like to introduce you to Bartley Blume. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Starting the only brewery-distillery in Minnesota is the latest in a long line of adventures for Bartley Blume. After attending Auburn University, Bartley began working for NASA’s destructive testing department, where he tested the durability of equipment and materials, sometimes with explosives. After NASA, Bartley joined a St. Paul–based aerospace engineering firm and spent 18 months in Australia building a transonic wind tunnel. Next, Bartley worked for the firm’s Business Development group, traveling throughout Australia, Southeast Asia, and South America before shedding the shackles of corporate bondage to make tasty adult beverages for a living.
Bartley started home brewing in 2007 after receiving a Mr. Beer kit from Brenda. The hobby quickly attracted a cult following among friends and family around the BBQ pit. With this encouragement, Bartley decided to go all the way and began to develop the Bent Brewstillery brand image and company vision. The plan was to start with a very small operation, using the 40-gallon homebrew system to brew for a small taproom while a local microbrewer brewed larger batches for distribution to bars and liquor stores. That plan changed when Bent Brewstillery merged with Pour Decisions in 2013. Now there’s a fully functional microbrewery in operation, pumping out brutal barley beverages for the public to enjoy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The challenges have been many and varied but nothing unsurmountable. For instance, we had trouble getting the attention of our various distributors, We solved this by vertically integrating distribution into our company.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most proud of the diverse adult beverage offerings of our company. You name it, we can make it! From traditional beers to modern sours and seltzers. From contemporary botanical gin to groundbreaking whiskey on unique woods.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.BentBrewstillery.com
- Instagram: @bentbrewstillery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bentbrewstillery
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bentbrewstiller
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv25ZetJy5RdbHimAsZyFfg
