St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter Joins Summit Brewing Co. to Cut Ribbon on New Ratskeller and Share Delicious Beers

On the occasion of the Summit Ratskeller’s Grand Reopening Wednesday July 11, a thirsty, sweaty crowd of Summit Brewing Co.’s staff, family, friends, business partners, local media and other beer enthusiasts gathered in the heat outside our St. Paul brewery for a ceremonial ribbon cutting and a few off-the-cuff toasts. At the front of the crowd were St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Summit Brewing Co. Founder and President Mark Stutrud, hand in hand with a comically large pair of scissors.

Having just completed a nine-month remodel of the Ratskeller, the Summit crew welcomed the Mayor and the rest of the crowd inside for a few cold pints of Summit Oktoberfest — served from traditional wooden fass kegs — and delicious German-style pretzels, bratwursts and potato salad provided by The Black Forest Inn. Live music filled the room, too, as singer Meg Ashling performed, thanks to a partnership between Summit and the Minnesota Music Coalition.

With a beer in hand, Mayor Carter proclaimed that “at the center of our vision for St. Paul, there’s beer,” referencing his desire to be the kind of politician his constituents would want to share a beer with, and his belief that communities are stronger when neighbors spend time getting to know each other better. “There are few vehicles that do that better than drinking beer together,” he added.

Summit Brewing Co. has been a proud part of the St. Paul community since 1986, employing and refreshing the city’s citizens ever since with local, independently made craft beer — a responsibility we respect and relish.

In his toast to the crowd gathered inside the new Summit Ratskeller, Stutrud thanked that community — his staff, his business partners, his supporters, and the many good-looking, intelligent people who drink Summit beer. “This brewery, this entire facility, was not part of my original business plan, and it wouldn’t exist without you. It’s a testament to all of our customers.”

Summit Brewing Co. would also like to thank the David Heide Design Studio of Minneapolis for their work with the remodel, the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce for joining us in the festivities, and our many guests and friends for swinging by to share a pint. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

The Summit Ratskeller’s Grand Reopening continued with its public unveiling Thursday, July 12, with more special events and beers running through Sunday, July 15. For more information about the renovations and upcoming events, please visit https://www.summitbrewing.com/summit-brewing-co-announces-grand-reopening-of-the-summit-ratskeller/.