Behind the Beer

NAME, POSITION, YEARS WITH BEAR CAVE:

Jillian Link, Owner, Been with Bear Cave since inception March 2019.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Originally from Wisconsin, but have lived and worked in many places through military service including Hawaii, New Orleans, San Diego and Cape May.

YOU'RE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE BEAR CAVE BEER WHAT IS IT?

The Triple --it's fantastic because it drinks like a dessert. I don't eat dessert, but I do like to drink it!

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?

The window lounges.

FAVORITE BEAR CAVE MEMORY?

Uncrating the bear. It was a poignant moment with Pavel, the General Contractor. He and Nate (my late husband) had a great relationship and Pavel explained that Nate was a fatherly figure to him. The bear is one of the reasons Bear Cave came to life. I did not want the bear in my house, so we had to find another place for him. What better place than a brewpub?

WHY OPEN A BREWERY?

Breweries are fun, happy places to be with people you love!

WHY HOPKINS?

Because of its small town charm and historic value.

WHY THE OLD FIRESTONE BUILDING?

It found us! The ceilings were caving in, it was raining INSIDE, but the beams and wood told a story. We had to bring that story to life.

NAME, POSITION, YEARS WITH BEAR CAVE:

Dan Murray, General Manager, responsible for keeping the ship on course, joined Bear Cave in October 2021.

HOW DID YOU FIND BEAR CAVE?

I met Nate and Jillian as I was looking for a job while planning to move to Minnesota to be closer to my son. It was one of my last planned interviews and I hadn’t thought that it would be something I would be interested in, oh was I wrong! I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting project, truly something out of a dream.

YOU'RE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE BEAR CAVE BEER WHAT IS IT?

Mr. California - brewed for me being from the Golden State!

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY CELEBRITY (DEAD OR ALIVE) TO WALK INTO BEAR CAVE WHO WOULD IT BE?

Bradley Nowel, lead singer of Sublime to drink some good beer and play some reggae riffs.

GO-TO SPOT IN HOPKINS?

Saturday morning at the Farmers Market. Some weeks you'll find me buying carloads of pumpkins to give to Charles to brew Pumpkin Ale!

NAME, POSITION, YEARS WITH BEAR CAVE:

Charles Chapman, Head Brewer. In charge of everything in the brewery area, from brewing the beer to scrubbing the floors. Joined Bear Cave in June 2021.

WHERE ARE YOUR FROM?

Born and raised in Hopkins. I’ve lived all over the twin cities, but I’m glad to be back working in my hometown. (And in this same question we could add - My first job was at the Hopkins movie theater back when I was 14.

FAVORITE PART ABOUT MINNESOTA?

The diverse amount of things that you can do on any given day. We have all kinds of art, music, and entertainment. And, loads of fantastic Breweries including some I've been fortunate to work at: Bauhaus Brew Labs, Sisyphus and Falling Knife Brewing Company.

AS A HOPKINS NATIVE, WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO SPOT?

S.S. Billiards has a special place in my heart from back in my high school days

YOU'RE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE BEAR CAVE BEER WHAT IS IT?

Mainstreet Wheat. It’s everything I want in a Hefeweizen style beer and I could drink it all day.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?

I hang out a lot downstairs in the Bear Cave. It’s nice and moody down there, and quieter than a lot of other spaces, it feels more intimate.

NAME, POSITION, YEARS WITH BEAR CAVE:

Marc Paavola, Chef, Recipe/Menu Development, Staff Hiring/Training, Cook, Dishwasher, Food Runner, Tap Tending, You Name It. Joined Bear Cave in 2022.

WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU COOKED?

Emerald Lounge(consulting Chef)/Owamni(Opening & Menu Development)/Monte Carlo(Operations Manager)/Sanctuary(Chef)/Afton House Inn(Chef)/ Birchwood Café(Chef)/ and many more… Started Cooking at Hotel Sofitel in the late 1980’s.

FAVORITE MEMORY AT BEAR CAVE?

Will be our 1st Birthday – having 1 year of hospitality and knowing what's to come – Spring!

WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO SPOT IN HOPKINS?

K’Kinaco, just opened and is an instant favorite.

WHEN YOU'RE NOT IN THE KITCHEN WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?

I am an outside adventurer and especially a fan of winter. Music guides my soul. And I love keeping up with my two children Marley (27) and Lukas (17).

NAME, POSITION, YEARS WITH BEAR CAVE:

Kristen Miller Kraus, Event Coordinator and Floor Manager, your go-to contact for all things events at Bear Cave, joined Bear Cave in January 2022.

WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT MINNESOTA?

Hands down, hiking and exploring all things on the north shore of Lake Superior.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?

Upstairs in the warm and sunny conservatory lounge chairs.

YOUR GO-TO MENU ITEM?

Veggie pizza with mushrooms, onions and green olives.

GIVE US A HIGHLIGHT OF A BEAR CAVE EVENT?

My favorite special touch that Bear Cave offers is the option of creating your own special brew and crowler. Some may recall the limited edition Kraus Haus Brown Ale that was on tap this fall after my wedding on the rooftop. Yum!

NAME, POSITION, YEARS WITH BEAR CAVE:

Jimmy Pickering, Manager, responsible for hiring, training and front of house, joined Bear Cave in March 2022.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?

Most definitely the patio (year-round!) with my Burnese mountain dog, Sparty.

BIG FAN OF HOPKINS, WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO SPOT?

Besides Bear Cave of course, I love The Wild Boar, there is always an interesting soul to talk to around the bar top along with the fun staff.

YOU'RE IN THE OLYMPICS, WHAT SPORT DO YOU PLAY?

A center midfield player on the US soccer team!

FAVORITE BEAR CAVE MEMORY?

My favorite memories for BCB have to be when we have lines going from our host stand, out the door, and down to the end of the street. So excited to see our business having so many interested people coming to check us out and coming back because they liked it so much.