Click on any of the photos below to view each team member’s bio!
Owner/General Manager
Owner/Business Manager
Owner/Head Brewer
Dog Ambassador
From prehistoric caves, laboratories, thunderstorms, and hot tubs to forests, dreams, and showers—ideas of all shapes and sizes come to us in a myriad of ways—but the best ideas are almost always conceived over a couple of beers among friends. The Marine Corps. Shark Week. Buffalo Wings. The Ironman Triathlon. And…Paddlefish Brewing Company—the first brewery in St. Peter since Engesser Brewery Distributors threw in the towel in 1942. That is over eighty years without selling “pure grains of keg beer distributed in single service containers” (as an old advertisement of Engesser’s quipped.) It goes without saying that that is eighty years too long. Thankfully, a trio of beer lovers named Eric Johnson, Luke Dragseth, and Dave Long are bringing a brewery business back to this fine town in the fall of 2023.
This is the story of how St. Peter’s first brewery in over 80 years came about. It begins, as it should, with some damn good beer. At Paddlefish Brewing Company, everything worth talking about begins with damn good beer. In this case, we must raise a glass to Paddlefish head brewer Luke Dragseth—born and raised in “Brew City” Milwaukee—for concocting and sharing his delicious home-brewed Cream Ale for his friends at Gustavus Adolphus College. One of those friends lucky enough to imbibe that batch was none other than owner and business manager Eric Johnson. With Luke’s Cream Ale nourishing his friends in body, mind, and soul, Eric got an idea and joked that he’d like a chance to sell Luke’s product. The idea germinated unseen until Paddlefish’s entrepreneur extraordinaire was enjoying a cold one at Bent Paddle—another Gustie-owned brewery—and that seedling of an idea that sprouted as a joke among friends transformed into a glorious vision to create St. Peter’s very own brewery and taproom.
So after spending hours crafting and perfecting the best beer recipes using equipment in his dorm room, Luke is elevating his talents to the next level. Eric, having put several thousand miles on his feet completing the many tasks of a brewery business manager is also ready and so is their industry expert Dave who has been busy developing the brand and stepping up his managerial skills. The ultimate goal of selling Luke’s damn good “keg beer in single service containers” is fast approaching. Stay tuned for all the ways you can join the fun and contribute to our mission to become St. Peter’s finest community-oriented brewery, a place where you can enjoy some of the best damn beer in the state among your friends for years to come.
And now our beloved beer fans, this is where Paddlefish Brewing Company’s story is almost ready to merge with your own. With gratitude, excitement, laughter, humility, nervousness, and a whole lot of passion, we simply can’t wait to raise a glass of Paddlefish pure grains together!
🐶🍻 Happy National Dog Day!
Bring your pup to Paddlefish this Tuesday and get $1 off your pint.
📸 Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag us 👉 @paddlefishbrewing with #paddlefishpup 🐶 We love seeing your four-legged brew buddies! 🐾
🌊✨ That’s a wrap on One Last Splash!
What an amazing day celebrating the end of summer with all of you! From beer poking 🔥, beer floats 🍨🍺, fresh-popped kettle corn 🍿, and BBQ 🍖 to giant Jenga, coloring tables, and plenty of rockin’ in the sunshine ☀️, we couldn’t have asked for a better day!
A huge THANK YOU to our vendors, partners, and every single person who came out to make it special. 💙
#OneLastSplash #PaddlefishBrewing #CommunityCheers
Flagship (and flashback) Friday!🍻
🦉 Red Owl Amber – 5.3% ABV | 17 IBUs | Smooth, toasty, perfectly balanced. Malt-forward with notes of caramel + biscuit.
Our building once housed a Red Owl grocery store back in the 1960s and 70s and we still hear stories from folks who worked here as cashiers, bookkeepers, and stockers. We even have customers who bring in old relics for us to showcase and also some who sport a Red Owl t-shirt. Who remembers when this corner was the Red Owl? What memories do you have?
From what we know, this Red Owl switched over to SuperValu in 1982, later became Total Entertainment in the 90s (movie rentals anyone? 🎥🍿), and eventually transformed into Paddlefish Brewing after other businesses have come and gone. Remember others?
We haven’t found many photos of the 90s–2000s era so if you have them (or more Red Owl memories or other photos), please share! We love seeing the history come alive!
Red Owl Amber: Smooth, toasty and owl-ways on point 🦉
No friend? No problem. BOGO means twice the beer for me. 🍺 Thanks @hoppassport
Another great turnout for Open Mic last night! Lots of new folks, plus our awesome regulars. Thanks to our wonderful staff holding down libations, @chasedburkhart / Chase D. Burkhart Music for hosting, and everyone who came out to support the performers and spread the good vibes. #openmic #originalmusic #allgenreswelcome
From St. Peter to the Last Frontier! 🐟
Meet Eric Buetow, repping Paddlefish all the way up in Fairbanks, Alaska! Eric made a stop at PF during his Gustavus reunion a couple of months ago and fell in love with our Gustie Golden Ale, as well as the whole taproom. Now he’s proudly spreading the word about our brewery wayyy up north, and we couldn’t be more honored.
Thanks for the support, Eric! Gusties and Paddlefans are all over the place! 💛
Sent to us by PF Lifetime Member, Margot (#34!) Thanks for sharing the love!
📸 Do you have a photo of you or someone else repping Paddlefish from afar? Tag us @paddlefishbrewing for a chance at being seen in the social spotlight!
Hold the blue button to get your beers faster!! 🙃
New on tap: Baby Eleanor! ❤️ Gus has been promoted to big brother, and Chloe + CJ are soaking up all the newborn snugs. Huge congrats to our resident design wizard, Chloe! She’s responsible for all of those beautiful beer labels and signs you love.
☀️ One Last Splash is coming! 🍺🍦
We’re closing out summer with:
🍺 Beer Floats – Red Owl Amber + Caramel, First Apostle Porter + Coffee Ice Cream, Sour + Raspberry or Lemon Sorbet (beer poking too!)
🥤 Root Beer Floats for the kids
🎨 Kids’ craft area + rubber ducky fish pond
🎒 School Supply Drive with SWMHP – Bring supplies & get $1 off your first beer
🚐 Sweet Pea’s cousin making a special guest appearance!
#OneLastSplash #PaddlefishBrewing #BeerFloats #RootBeerFloats #BackToSchoolDrive #SweetPeasCousin
The face you make when the root beer float hits just right. 🍦🥤 Floats are here until the ice cream runs out tonight—kid-approved!
🎉 Happy National Root Beer Float Day from all of us at Paddlefish! $5 Floats All Day! Stoked to collab with @sotascoops and serve their dreamy ice cream!
🍦August at Paddlefish!!
Root beer floats, door mat painting, yoga, dog day, new shirts, and our last big summer bash. 🌻🍻🎨
Here’s what’s coming up:
🍦 Wed, Aug 6 – $5 Root Beer Float Day (feat. @sotascoops vanilla 🍦) Happy National Root Beer Float Day!
🎤 Tues, Aug 19 – Open Mic Night
🎨 Wed, Aug 20 – Doormat Painting
🎉 Sun, Aug 24 – Morning Yoga + “One Last Splash” Family Event
🐶 Tues, Aug 26 – National Dog Day: Treat Yo’ Pup Tuesday
🔤 Thurs, Aug 28 – Initials Game Live
Less wildfire smoke, more fun and beer!
#paddlefishbrewing #minnesotabreweries #stpetermn #summeratthebrewery #sotascoops #rootbeerfloatday #dogfriendlybrewery
📸 Brewery Fam Moment
Dena (left), Donna (right), and the one and only Bärli Jax 🐾 whose name fittingly means “big bear, protector, teddy bear” dropped by for some brews and relaxation last week!
We’re lucky to have such kind-hearted hoomans (and huggable canines) call Paddlefish their spot 🐶
#breweryfamily #bernesemountaindog #paddlefishbrewing #stpetermn #brewerylife
🎉 Happy Birthday to our own Dude, Danny! 🍺
From pouring pints to playing sax, writing horror stories to recommending lagers, this guy keeps things smooth, rich, and full of fall flavor, just like his favorite Paddlefish beer: Oktoberfest. 🍂
He once played camp counselor, has spherical blood cells (true story), and lives for a Led Zeppelin jam or an IDLES mosh pit. Catch him stacking glasses like a wizard, sharing beer wisdom, or calmly navigating the chaos of Gustavus Homecoming weekend.
His guilty pleasures? Legally Blonde and Pink Pony Club. His dream superpower? Reality manipulation. Honestly, we think he might already have it.
Raise a glass to Danny today — the man, the myth, the McNutter Butter. 🥜 Cheers, Dude!
#BirthdayBeers #TheDudeAbides #PaddlefishCrew #LagerLegend #McNutterButterMan #SphericalBloodCellEnergy
BACK IN PURPLE 💜💛
Our 2nd annual Paddlefish x @hoppassport collab shirts have landed and they’re louder, prouder, and bolder than ever. Built to withstand heartache and last second field goal misses!
Whether you’re a diehard fan or just here for the beers and cheers, these beauties are built for tailgates, taprooms and touchdowns…That JJ to JJ connection will be sweeter when you’re wearing one of these puppies.
🔥 Designed in collab with @bfreshgear
🍻 Limited pre-order for Mug Club members only
⏰ Released to the public at 5pm this Friday!
🏈 $65 - worth every Uff Da and hearing your aunt say, “Oh Fer Cute!”
Are you a Monthly, Annual, or Lifetime member?
DM us your shirt size OR reply by August 1 to the Mug Club newsletter email to reserve yours.
Public release: Fri, Aug 1st at 5pm
#SkolPaddlefish #PurpleReign #HopPassport #BFreshGear #MugClubExclusive #PaddlefishBrewing #BrewedInMN
Still riding high from an incredible day at All Pints North in Duluth! 🌊🍻
Huge shoutout to Will, Danny, and Sarah. They are the troopers who made the trek from St. Peter to pour their hearts out (and our beer) in the summer heat. It was their first APN, and they crushed it. 💪
Huge thanks to @danscraftbeeradventures and @doreenmeetsbeer for teaming up with us and helping us out with all of your experience from working at Alloy :) You made the day even more special. And to everyone who stopped by our booth, took some selfies with us, or tried a pint: you’re the reason we love doing this!
And thanks to @mncraftbrewersguild for putting this on each year!
#PaddlefishBrewing #AllPintsNorth #MNBeer #CraftBeerCommunity #BrewCrewOnTheMove
One of the coolest surprises we’ve had!🍻 Bill Sampson, a leather artist from Bozeman, MT who we met months ago during a taproom chat, came back today with this stunning handcrafted Paddlefish Brewing sign. He said it took him 93 hours or so to make and that he usually sells pieces like this for over $300, but he gifted it to us just because.
We’re blown away by the craftsmanship, the generosity, and the connection. Huge thanks to Mike for this beautiful piece of Paddlefish history and to everyone who makes this place what it is. 💙 Being part of this community is something special.
📏 Volunteer Spotlight: Aunt Shauna!
If you’ve ever had your glass whisked away with a grin, been greeted at your table with a warm hello, or witnessed someone proudly discovering they’re the shortest adult to ever get measured at Paddlefish… you’ve probably met Aunt Shauna.
Shauna is our loyal volunteer MVP! You’ve most likely seen her at big events and busy weekends with a smile, a story, and a whole lot of heart (and sassiness). She’s always full of fun facts, recycles our spent grain bags for landscaping (resourceful and eco-friendly!), and proudly sports Ceramic Mug #47.
Have you ever seen Shauna in action at the brewery? It’s a sight to behold.
We’re raising a glass (or four) to you today, Shauna. Thanks for everything you do. 💙
It means the world to us when folks pitch in just because this place feels like home. We’re endlessly grateful, and we love our little community something fierce. 💪
🍻 Say hey to Sarah, one of our awesome bartenders, our employee of the month 🥇 AND your official Paddle Pass hype person! 🙌
For just $25/month, you get:
✅ BOGO pints (1/day)
✅ 1 free crowler/month
✅ 10% off merch, crowlers & growlers
✅ Early access to events & new releases
Ask your beertender how to join, scan the QR code in the taproom, or hit up the link in bio!
🎶 It’s Band Draft Night! 🎶
Join us tonight for the 48-Hour Band Challenge Draft from 6–7pm. Local musicians will be randomly assigned to bands and then have just two days to write original songs together. It’s chaotic. It’s creative. It’s awesome.
Then stick around from 7–10pm for live music from three Minnesota Original Music Fest artists playing their own original sets 🙌
🍲 Russell’s will be here from 4–8pm
🎫 Monthly Paddle Passes are still available!
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We’re sending summer out with a splash! Grab the whole family (and your floaty friends) for an afternoon of cold drinks, sweet treats, and end-of-season fun.
for a private event
