Creating “approachable” craft beers, catering to the preferences of small-town Minnesota. That is the business philosophy Mitchell and Marcus Plaehn have set for themselves at their new venture, Bluff Brothers Brewing, Spring Valley’s newest taproom.
“Our goal is to make good craft beer that caters to small-town customers,” Marcus explains. “A lot of people come in and ask, ‘What’s the closest thing to your lightest beer?’”
Their answer – and most popular beer to date – has been Foxtail, an American Lager. That’s closely followed by Firewood, which is a Porter.
“We’re not doing anything too crazy. The Porter is our most unique one. Not a lot of places have something similar, and that’s become our second most popular,” Mitchell adds.
Rounding out their current offerings are Citra Creek (an IPA), Hazy Hills (a hazy IPA), Field of Wheat (a wheat beer) and Nutty Squirrel (a brown ale).
Humble Beginning
The Plaehn brothers’ brewing journey began modestly in 2019, starting in Mitchell’s garage.
“Marcus was the one who nudged us into it,” Mitchell reminisces.
While Mitchell had some prior experience making mead, Marcus’s suggestion to brew beer was the catalyst that ignited their current venture.
The brothers tested the waters by serving their top brews, Foxtail and Citra Creek, at Mitchell’s wedding in 2021.
“It was the first big test, because when you just give it away, do people really give you an honest answer,” Marcus says. “But everyone at the wedding said it’s good. That was the first time we thought maybe we have something.”
This reception spurred the Plaehns to transition from homebrewing enthusiasts to potential business owners. However, the road to establishing a brewery wasn’t without its hurdles. Navigating licensing complexities and realizing they couldn’t sell directly from home prompted them to look for a suitable location.
Making a Business
What began as a plan to rent a smaller downtown space evolved into acquiring the former Spring Valley Veterinary Clinic building, 817 N. Broadway, in November 2022. Mitchell and Marcus rolled up their sleeves, transforming the space through a complete renovation, preserving only the entryway and back wall.
“We shifted from being brewers to being construction workers for a year,” Marcus says with a chuckle.
Bluff Brothers Brewing officially opened its doors on October 1, 2023. The taproom boasts a spacious ambiance with seating for 72 patrons under the close watch of several trophy mounts, including an elk, buck, moose and otter.
The brothers also have plans to add a fireplace to the southwest corner along with couches for comfy seating, as well as a space for live music, while maintaining the overall cabin-like atmosphere.
The Plaehns’ deep-rooted connection to Spring Valley is also evident in their business name, “Bluff Brothers Brewing.”
“We live out in the country, and we spend a lot of time hunting and fishing in the bluffs. It felt right to incorporate that into our brand,” Mitchell says.
Family Affair
A sign on the wall with many handprints is a testament and tribute to those who helped make Bluff Brothers Brewing a reality.
“Our friends and family really made this come together,” Mitchell says.
Mitchell now does most of the brewing during the week, while Marcus works his full-time day job as an accountant in Rochester. Both brothers run the taproom on weekends, while their parents help with cleaning during the week. Both wives also help out with social media marketing and other aspects of running the business.
“It’s a family deal for sure, and we are thankful for that,” Mitchell says.
When to Go
Bluff Brothers Brewing is currently open on Fridays from 3-10 p.m, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., although Mitchell and Marcus have been discussing some changes, so customers should check their Facebook page, Bluff Brothers Brewing for updates.
In addition to the selection of beers, customers can also buy pre-packaged snack foods, including the popular popcorn from Carroll’s Corn in Rochester and meat sticks from Polashek’s Locker in Protivin, Iowa. Occasional food truck events will also continue to be part of the offerings.
Customer feedback has exceeded their expectations, the brothers say, which is motivating them to stay the course.
“We’re unique in our own way, we like the cabin-warm feel, and that’s what we’re going to continue to move toward,” Mitchell says.
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