July 26, 2016
Guest Blog: Q&A with Bartley Blume from Bent Brewstillery
In 2007, Brenda Blume gifted her husband Bartley a Mr. Beer kit. That’s what got the ball rolling toward the opening of Bent Brewstillery, the only brewstillery in the state of Minnesota.
“After my first batch, I [knew] that this was a hobby that could turn into a profession,” said Bartley, who is the owner, president and head distiller at Bent Brewstillery, which is right in Roseville. The local business sells about 150 to 200 barrels of beer per month and about 180 gallons of spirits each month.
A former NASA employee, Bartley was able to combine his love for cooking and enjoying a nice beer through the brewstillery.
In a Q&A with the Roseville Visitors Association, he shares more about what drinks visitors should try, what he loves about Roseville, and more:
What are three of Bent Brewstillery’s signature drinks that first-time visitors must try?
As a visitor to our taproom, patrons can only drink beer. The current laws in Minnesota don’t allow for me to serve cocktails. I would highly recommend a pint of Nordic Blonde. It’s the first beer I ever made as a homebrewer and it’s our biggest seller. Then I would recommend one of our sour beers. We’ve got a diverse lineup of sours that rotates constantly. Then I would suggest one of our malt meads. We make malt based honey wines that also rotate constantly. Currently Pineapple Tyme is on tap.
![](https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7a8c5eaec144ab42968d3ca0d6cfa29b 320w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bdd16e240a4bf39c4e2f5b406b9a8e1e 540w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=24a691a11b4cd61e6a5c91148b98df6a 700w)
Why should visitors come to Bent Brewstillery?
Our taproom is industrial yet comfy. It’s a great place for great beer and great conversation. We’ve got a very diverse line up of beers that’s sure to please everyone, even non-beer drinkers.
What sets the brewstillery apart from other breweries, distilleries and brewstilleries?
We are Defiantly Distinct. We do things differently than most. We like to make up beer and spirit styles. We make beer that tastes like wine. Just being a Brewstillery is rare. There’s more than 4,500 breweries in the US, more than 700 distilleries, but somewhere around a dozen brewery/distillery combos.
![](https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b62a8795586bf37140dc30bce5d7d2c9 320w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f810856a0f9dfb938a2ec53dd2fbdee4 540w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=08f85b79ed76b9ad4c2b395c9148dc53 768w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bfa0cd2ca1e94d9b063258aa7abdd78e 1024w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=fc75d15897fd738a7a9994045d0c8f11 1200w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=647ef2309936f5567a5af5d18752642c 1440w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent_Brewstillery_Roseville-e1479321285186.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=11bf9fadfb7edfe0a6aab3594f6649f7 1800w)
What drink would you say best represents you and why?
We make a cocktail (that can’t be served at our taproom) called Kissin’ the Gunner’s Daughter. It combines our navy-strength gin, Gunner Ghost, with our Nordic Blonde beer. Add a little simple syrup and some lemon juice for a great drink. I like the name because it sounds romantic and even Harlequin-esque. The true meaning is a bit more brutal. Kissin’ the Gunner’s Daughter is an ancient nautical term for being flogged while strapped to the ships cannon.
![](https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c7e61c3848da7f4e4c839d2b3f4fff3d 320w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=25f264df05e5adb4098ec9daab4c99bc 540w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f1d80b5f5467406f19c4c27b8284ed83 768w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=411698a2d73296419dfd91353e05321d 1024w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7657f11caf4ad814919279216ff79c6a 1200w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=06fc7b2eac3a7ac274a3d041a0cd1f27 1440w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=b42bb9354ae120375b1a8e50698a0a36 1920w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d2cdd827324dcc63adea7134f108e3ce 2560w, https://visit-roseville.imgix.net/images/archive/Bent-Brewstillery-Taproom-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=313b4aa51237a0ee1950dfada1938024 3840w)
What is your favorite drink?
Enuff, our newest IPA.
Why did you choose to build your business in Roseville?
It was a marriage of convenience that has grown to be the best decision I ever made. We merged with an existing brewery called Pour Decisions that was located in this spot.
What do you like best about Roseville?
I love the fact that Roseville is centrally located and boarders both St Paul and Minneapolis. It’s just 10 minutes from either downtown but has the comfort level of the burbs. I also love the way we’ve been received by the City and all their residents. Everyone has been welcoming and gracious and really makes us feel like we’re part of the community.
What do you like best about your job?
I love experimenting with new spirits. I’ve got no less than a dozen different products in various stages of development. Everything from Grapefruit & Basil Chello, Grappa, Brandy, Spiced Rum, Silver Rum, Gold Rum, the list goes on.
If you weren’t working at the brewstillery, what would you be doing?
Maybe owning a restaurant or bar.
Photos courtesy of Bent Brewstillery and Agnes Constante
Related Content:
1744 Terrace Drive Roseville, Minnesota 55113 (844) TRY-BENT Website
Bent Brewstillery1744 Terrace Drive
Roseville, Minnesota 55113