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?

The Hopkins Farmers Market. When the market is open you will find me every Saturday morning picking up produce for the brewery. It's great to interact with our local farmers and know that we are serving the freshest food possible.

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:

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.