We’re always on the lookout for good people
We’re not currently hiring, but feel free to drop us a line.
So……..If you love beer, and you think you have what it takes to be one of our elite servers, fill out an application and drop it off or email it to:
Thank you for your interest and Keep on Chuggin’ . . .
Golden Spike IPA
The eastern and western lines of Northern Pacific's transcontinental railroad were joined together near Independence Creek in western Montana in 1883. To commemorate the occasion, the first spike driven at the start of railway construction near Carlton, Minnesota was used to connect the last section of rail. It was named the Golden Spike, and was driven home by NP President Henry Villard, former US President Ulysses S. Grant, and Henry C. Davis, who had driven that first spike. Our Golden Spike, commemorating the completion of construction at Roundhouse Brewery, is a golden colored Imperial IPA, loaded with premium brewers and dark crystal malts, generous doses of Mosaic and Crystal hops for aromas of citrus, spice, and blueberry, and Magnum hops for a clean bittering finish.
8.9% ABV, 87 IBU, 10 SRM.
Angel Seat Amber Ale
The “angel seat” on a train is the raised observation seat up in the cupola of the caboose. From the angel's seat, a conductor could watch the train, looking for hot boxes (overheated wheel bearings) or fires started by hot cinders flying out of the locomotive. It's the highest seat on the train. Our Angel Seat Amber Ale will put you in the best seat in the house, too. Smooth, malty flavor and aroma, with a crisp, clean hoppy finish.
5.7% ABV, 40 IBU, 15 SRM
Narrow Gauge Session IPA
Narrow Gauge Session IPA - A narrow gauge railway is one where the tracks are set closer together than in a standard gauge railway. A narrow gauge railway might not carry as much of a load, but they can get trains into places where it might be hard for a bigger train to maneuver. Our Narrow Gauge IPA is a crisp, light bodied, low alcohol beer, but with a clean, dry, hoppy finish and enough of a fruity, citrusy hop aroma and flavor to let you know you’re still on the right track.
4.2% ABV, 42 IBU, 4 SRM
Cinder Dick IPA
A cinder dick was a railroad policeman. Cinder dicks spent their days walking the cinders of the railyard, looking for thieves trying to break into boxcars, investigating wrecks for wrongdoing, or riding the trains guarding valuable freight. A hard, bitter job that deserves a bitter beer. Cinder Dick IPA is brewed with pale and dark crystal malts for balance, with Columbus, Northern Brewer, Cascade and Mosaic hops for a floral and citrus aroma and a strong, clean hop finish.
5.8% ABV, 76 IBU, 9 SRM
46 North
Your paddle slips into the still water, breaking the reflection of spruce trees and tamaracks, while off in the distance a loon calls into the quiet. You’ve crossed over into the north. Brewed with certified organic malts and hops, and wild-grown, traditionally harvested wild rice, 46 North is a tribute to the lakes and prairies of our beloved northlands. Crisp and clear, with an earthy finish, this is a beer that will take you to the lakes.
6.2% ABV, 14 IBU, 6 SRM.
Runaround Rye
A Runaround, in railroad terms, is to disconnect an engine from one end of a train, run it around to the opposite end and start the train in the opposite direction. Our Runaround is a German-style rye ale that is brewed with malted barley and rye, for a dry, spicy flavor. Dark malts are used for color and malt flavor, and mild banana and clove flavors are contributed by the yeast, and Hallertauer hops for
a mild bitterness.
a mild bitterness.
5.4% ABV, 20 IBU, 12 SRM.
Cowcatcher Ale
A cowcatcher is a scoop placed on the front end of a locomotive to clear cows (and other debris) from a track. Our Cowcatcher is a California Common style ale, good for clearing the debris from your day. Pilsner malt creates a clean, mild malt flavor, crystal malts add a bit of complexity and color, and Northern Brewer hops contribute a subtle piney, earthy aroma and mild bitterness.
4.5% ABV, 42 IBU, 8 SRM.
Old Betsy Brown Ale
The first locomotive in the Northern Pacific Railway was a wood-burning engine named the Minnetonka, and it's job was to haul ties, rails, and other supplies used to help build the railroad along the line westward as it was constructed and advanced from Carlton, Minnesota. When the line was completed, the locomotive was sold to the Polson Lumber Company. It was renamed “Old Betsy” and hauled timber until 1928 when it was retired and abandoned. Old Betsy was recovered by the Northern Pacific Railway in the mid '30s and restored it to working order. The sturdy little locomotive is still owned by the BNSF Railroad and is on permanent loan to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. Our Old Betsy is a sturdy malt-forward Northern English-style brown ale, with 2-row premium brewer's malt and dark malts for complexity and rich flavor, with balance provided by Magnum and Northern Brewer hops.
5.1% ABV, 30 IBU, 17 SRM.
Boom Lake Lager
The east shore of Boom Lake was the site of the Brainerd Brewing Company, established in 1881. The Brainerd Brewing Company produced a lager using “ … a malt produced in Minnesota and the best domestic hops … obtained from the Pacific coast, [and] a considerable quantity of German hops….” (from Special Publication, 1910, p. 16, Brainerd Tribune, A. J. Halsted, Editor and Publisher). The brewery was forced to close down permanently in 1915. To honor the tradition established in those bygone days, we’ve developed our own premium lager, using pilsner malt produced in Minnesota, balanced by American Crystal and German Northern Brewer hops. Crisp, light bodied, with a mild malt flavor and aroma. We think our predecessors would be proud. We certainly are.
5.3% ABV, 22 IBU, 4 SRM.
Manley’s Wee Heavy
Manley Cunningham, our brewer’s grandfather, was a railroader for all of his adult life, starting out as a crew caller for the Northern Pacific in the days of steam locomotives until retiring as an engineer for Burlington Northern in the days of diesel. Manley’s Wee Heavy is a Strong Scottish Ale, dedicated to the memory of all of the men and women who work the rails. Full bodied and malty, with hints of currants and caramel, and a rich dark color and malty aroma.
8.9% ABV, 26 IBU, 34 SRM.
Night Shift Coffee Stout
When you’re on the night shift, sometimes the choices are simple - beer or coffee? But who wants to make decisions after a long night on the graveyard shift? We’ve made things even easier for you. Night Shift is a rich, dark, full bodied stout with hints of chocolate and a touch of sweetness. Then we added coffee blended for us from our friends at Reality Roasters in Little Falls, to give it that gorgeous coffee aroma and flavor. So now, your choice is simple. Get both.
6.5% ABV, 15 IBU, 64 SRM.
Rule G Belgian Tripel Ale
Rule G is a prohibition against railroad employees working while intoxicated. Our Rule G is a Belgian-style Tripel ale. Light bodied and crisp, pale yellow colored, and with a fruity aroma and flavor, you’ll want to drink this beer all day, but it may surprise you. Don’t run afoul of Rule G.
8.8% ABV, 25 IBU, 6 SRM
Rule G Belgian Tripel Ale
Rule G is a prohibition against railroad employees working while intoxicated. Our Rule G is a Belgian-style Tripel ale. Light bodied and crisp, pale yellow colored, and with a fruity aroma and flavor, you’ll want to drink this beer all day, but it may surprise you. Don’t run afoul of Rule G.
8.8% ABV, 25 IBU, 6 SRM
Crow Wing Cream Ale
Cream ales are one of the first uniquely American beers, and the Crow Wing River runs deep through the memories and the culture of central Minnesota. To honor those histories, we've created Crow Wing Cream Ale. A blend of barley malt, wheat and corn and German Hallertauer hops provide balance, to make a crisp, smooth, refreshing beer.
5.5% ABV, 23 IBU, 3 SRM.
#10 Hefewiezen
Northern Pacific Locomotive #10 was a coal fired tender that worked in the rail yards in Brainerd for decades, switching cars, hauling coal for the power plant, and other duties. After being retired, it stood as a fixture at Brainerd’s Lum Park for years during the 1980’s. It’s the locomotive featured in the picture on our website. By a remarkable coincidence, our hefewiezen ale is the 10th beer that we’ve brewed in our lineup. The German-style wheat beer yeast suspended in the beer adds hints of clove and banana, while the white malted wheat adds a grainy sweetness. Crisp, refreshing, with a dense, white head and light body make this a perfect summer beer.
5.1% ABV, 15 IBU, 4 SRM.
Coal Train Porter
Think of sooty dark cars loaded with anthracite, moving through the night, dancing to the music of the rails. A robust porter, dark as night and smooth as jazz. Flavors of roast malt, coffee and cocao, with a mild caramel sweetness for balance.
5.6% ABV, 40 IBU, 28 SRM.
Spur Line Gluten Free Ale
A spur line is a track that takes you away from the main line. Spur Line is a gluten free ale, dark and hoppy enough so that you know that you are on the right track, even if it’s not where everyone else is going.
6.5% ABV, 42 IBU, 20 SRM
Driftbuster Winter Ale
In railroad terms, a Driftbuster is an engine with a plow attached to clear snow off tracks so regularly scheduled trains can get through. When the snow flies and the temperature drops, you need something to get you through those long wintry days. Our Driftbuster is a dark, malty ale with a delicious blend of vanilla and clove with shades of nutmeg and molasses.
7.5% ABV, 35 IBU, 37 SRM
Detonator Doppelbock
Detonators were frequently used in the building of railroads where explosives were necessary to level the bed for track to be laid. Keeping with tradition that Doppelbock’s names end with -ator, we named this traditional styled Doppelbock the Detonator. You will find this dark, full bodied lager has a big malty flavor paired with a strong sweet aroma and just a bit of roasted malt. The Northern Brewer and Crystal hops add just the right bitterness for a smooth ride all the way down. Just the way riding the rails should be.
8.7% ABV, 20 IBU and 21 SRM.
