Skip to Content
Podcast

RacketCast, Ep. 23: Wait, IS MN Beer In Trouble? Feat. David Berg of Schell’s

This bonus ep explores the dreaded 'craft beer bubble.'

Dave Berg of August Schell Brewing Co.

|Instagram: @schellsbeer

Last fall Racket surveyed 44 Minnesota brewing pros and found that 63.6% believe the industry is in a positive place—not bad!

Last month Racket highlighted Axios reporting that showed a 10.8% boost in Minnesota craft brewery production last year—nice!

But David Berg, the longtime brewmaster at August Schell Brewing Co., isn't convinced by those types of cheery reports, and he recently got all up in our Bluesky mentions to say as much.

"The brewing industry is pretty much in dire straits right now," Berg says. "I think it's a disservice to the industry to present it in any other fashion. It's as bleak as it's been in the 20 years I've been part of it."

Are Minnesota breweries in trouble? And, if so, how much? As the number of craft breweries throughout our state shoots past 200, is the long-murmured-about "craft beer bubble" finally ready to pop?

We got Berg on the horn to pick his considerable beer brain about the darker forces that might brewing on his industry's horizon.


Subscribe to RacketCast wherever you get your podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc. Wanna advertise on RacketCast? Email us at advertise@racketmn.com. Special thanks to local band Van Stee for supplying our podcast music!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

Read Star Tribune Publisher Steve Grove’s Leaked Memo Announcing Dramatic Job Cuts, Updated ‘Vision’

A dark day for the hard-working, recent-Pulitzer-winning folks that make the Strib hum.

What’s the Deal With the Anti-Data Center AI Slop That’s All Over Facebook?

Plus 'mega master' immigration hearings, helping NJ, and the Gold Medal Flour house is restored in today's Flyover news roundup.

June 2, 2026

Prince Week and a Lot More in Your Complete Concert Calendar: June 2-8

Pretty much all the music you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

June 2, 2026

5 Things to Know About Baba Saj, Blaine’s 24-Hour Shawarma Shop

Baba Saj feels like the best kind of party: one that's centered around bread.

MN GOP Holds Moment of Silence for Convicted Murderer Derek Chauvin, Who’s Very Much Alive

Plus Uptown's health analyzed yet again, a Northeast celeb sighting, and a critter update in today's Flyover news roundup.

Now Open: Vietnamese Sweet Treats on Eat Street, 2 More Tonos, and Pizza + Momos on West Seventh

Plus saying goodbye to Beast, Bauhaus, Borough, and more in the May Racket Restaurant Roundup.

See all posts