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For Surly Brewing Co. founder Omar Ansari, Tuesday was a long time coming.

Two years after the Legislature passed the so-called Surly bill to let breweries serve beer to customers in the same place where its made, Ansari broke ground on a brewery he hopes will be a destination for visitors from around the world.

Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat on Tuesday recalled meeting with Ansari at a local restaurant back when the idea was still a dream.

"I'm thinking this guy has got some big ideas.  And then when he said he wants to go change the law ... and I said, there's no way you're going to change that law after doing a little bit of research.  But he certainly did," said Opat.

"This is an exciting day.  I'm looking forward to hoisting that first beer."

The $20 million dollar brewery, which will include a bar and restaurant, is scheduled to open next year.

Surly Brewing finally taps into the law it helped create

Minnesota News

The Cities Blog

Brandt Williams

Author

For Surly Brewing Co. founder Omar Ansari, Tuesday was a long time coming. 

Surly Brewing founder drinks it all in on groundbreaking day

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