Paul Tokarski at work with a fresh batch of malt behind him. (submitted photo/Paul Tokarski)

By Doug Lett

Humboldt Brewpub

Brewpub planned for Humboldt

Mar 28, 2023 | 9:02 AM

A brew pub and distillery planned for Humboldt got city zoning approval on Monday. No one opposed the plan by Prairie Sentinel Craft Ale Works to open a brewpub and tavern at 522 9th Street in Humboldt.

“I just think this is something that’s very good for our community,” Coun. Rob Muench said in voting for the approval. “It’s something I think that is going to be well received by the community.”

“I think that pretty much echoes all our sentiments,” added Mayor Michael Behiel. “We are quite pleased with your ambitious attempt.”

It will be a first for the community of 5,800. The man behind the idea is Paul Tokarski, who grew up outside of Watson. Tokarski is currently finishing the brewmaster programs at Olds College in Alberta, and is also working for Hogarth Malt outside of Olds.

He sees significant potential in the Humboldt area, in part of because of BHP’s Jansen potash mine, which is under construction 60 kilometers southeast of the city.

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“The population projections that they did a few years ago… there could be a huge boom in the local area in the next 10 years,” he said. The mine is expected to create up to 3,500 jobs at peak construction, and around 600 permanent jobs.

Council’s approval means Tokarski can start finalizing the brewpub.

“We can start getting the renos done and installs finished, and get all the proper permitting. And, yeah, hopefully have everything ready by early fall or late summer,” he said.

Initially, he said, he’s looking to produce craft beers, along with a food service.

“I’ve got a couple of lager recipes…we’re going to try and stick to some of the German styles here in Humboldt and see how that goes,” he said.

And one of his goals to to get as much of his raw ingredients locally as he can – even the word “Sentinel” in his business refers to prairie grain elevators.

“We really want to support a lot of local businesses that do give back to community in one form or another,” Tokarski said. He’d like to source local berries or honey to use in his beers. He also hopes to get locally produced meats for the food service.

“We want to keep our dollars within our community whenever we can,” his submission to council said. “Brewing equipment and cellaring will take place within the brewing area of the building.”

“We plan to renovate two offices within the tap room area into bar space and a cooler, we have plans for a bar top with limited seating and minimum 10 taps available,” it said. “With ideas like custom “Mulligan” labeled beer for the Humboldt Golf Course, or “Rally Cap Red” for the Muenster Red Sox to serve during games.”

The plan still has to get approval from the provincial government, but getting zoning approval is a significant step.

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doug.lett@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @DougLettSK