A former Rochester cop has hung up the blue to give brewing a shot. James Kennison is set to open his own brewery this fall that will combine his love for K9s and beer. PawPrint Brewing will be opening in the old Coyote's Club building in Chatfield.

James has spent the past couple years dabbling in the home brewing fun. He says, "I have a mini science lab in my house that I call my office." He started with a small 5-gallon bucket, and things quickly escalated from there. He found a new passion in beer making. People started voicing how much they loved his beer, and that was the moment he decided to take it a step further and open his own place.

PawPrint Brewery will be a nano-brewery, meaning he'll be able to pump out different flavors more often. They'll start with their signature four or five beers, but will be able to make up to 12. James tells me that they are also working with the Minnesota Ag Department to offer pre-packaged snacks like pretzels and chips. He also hopes to get food trucks out there.

So what's with the name PawPrint Brewery? As I mentioned earlier, this is his way to combine his love of K9s and beer. PawPrint is going be themed after the dogs. The beers are all named after past dogs or friend's pups. Plus, once the patio is open (shooting for next spring), you'll be able to bring your dog to the brewery with you. They'll have dog treats and other fun planned.

You can meet James during Western Days this weekend from 10a - 1p.

James' backstory: He has been wearing the gun strap since he was 19 years young. He started as a cop in the airforce. He then moved back to Minnesota to be closer to family. He spent a year in the Mower County Sheriff's office. He then served two years in Iraq, before he landed back in Minnesota where he spent the remainder of his career with the Rochester Police Department. 

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