Dual Citizen Brewing: Good neighbors, great beers

The Zone's newest brewery has quickly become a community hotspot: at the sunny corner of Raymond and Myrtle, Dual Citizen Brewing Co. is in the heart of the CEZ. "Your neighborhood is what defines you," said the brewery's Kevin Filter recently, "and this is a creative district." From the start, the flavor of the neighborhood inspired its co-founders: general manager Tim Kessler and master brewer Max Filter. Their vision was a community-focused brewery-taproom, and they've succeeded big time, finding local partners every step of the way.

In fact, they found their first collaborator right next door: The Naughty Greek delivers its menu direct to the taproom, and the two businesses host events like Naughty Citizen Grill-Outs on the patio summer Wednesdays. Year-round, the brewery gathers crowds, hosts festivals, meetings, and marketplaces, and serves as a rallying point for Loons and other sports fans. True to its name, the brewery has named many of its beers for streets in both St. Paul and Minneapolis. To go hyper-local, try the Pelham Pilsner or Myrtle Dopplebeck.

A sponsor of CEZ’s Chroma Zone mural and art festival, Dual Citizen was also the site of the festival's closing party on Sept. 14, 2019, the second annual Blocktoberfest. The band lineup was headlined by Tapes 'n Tapes and the block was lined with arts vendors and demos, all the Zone's breweries on site, and activities for all ages— all sponsored by Lowertown Blues & Funk, a St. Paul–based nonprofit.

Dual Citizen also reaches out to local nonprofits through its "Dual Purpose" program. With Habitat for Humanity, they partnered on St. Paul's first "House That Beer Built" last year, providing fundraising and muscle power to help build a single-family home in East St. Paul. Later this month, they start construction on a second house on West Seventh. Other projects have benefited Casa de Esperanza, ZOOM House, and literacy programs— and some of those staff members are now regulars. "For some of these groups the taproom becomes an off-site office," said Kevin. In June Dual Citizen hosted a Dance for Dreams session, with Project Success staff and board members filling the hall.

At the taproom's weekly Reset Sunday, yoga instructors from neighboring Vertical Endeavors offer a gentle stretch session, followed by a brew of choice. On top of their regular Trivia Nights and family-friendly Tot Times, Dual Citizen is a Books & Bars site.

This year, Dual Citizen also initiated an Entertainment District proposal with the St. Paul City Council approved in August. The ordinance allows for outdoor alcohol consumption in the area bounded by the CEZ's five breweries, paving the way for more flexible festival events and partnerships with local businesses.