Dangerous Man Brewing plans new Northeast Minneapolis taproom by taking over HeadFlyer’s Hennepin Avenue space

A changeover in a well-known Northeast Minneapolis brewery space

Dangerous Man Brewing is preparing to open a new taproom in Northeast Minneapolis at 861 E. Hennepin Ave., taking over the space currently occupied by HeadFlyer Brewing. The transition is expected to begin in spring 2026, following HeadFlyer’s scheduled closure of its taproom operations.

HeadFlyer has set April 5, 2026, as the final day for on-site service at its Hennepin Avenue taproom, concluding a run of roughly nine years in the historic Miller Textile building. The company has indicated it intends to continue operating as a production and distribution brewery after the taproom closes, maintaining sales through wholesale channels such as bars, restaurants, and retail.

What Dangerous Man’s return to a taproom represents

The move marks a return to public-facing service for Dangerous Man, a brewery that became a prominent part of the Northeast Minneapolis craft beer scene after launching in 2013. The company closed its original Northeast Minneapolis taproom in October 2023, citing a combination of business pressures and real estate factors. Since then, Dangerous Man has operated primarily through production and distribution, centered on its Maple Lake facility.

In October 2025, the brewery announced it had re-opened under new ownership while retaining continuity in brewing leadership. The company said its goal included re-establishing a taproom presence, alongside ongoing distribution and broader product plans.

Key dates: HeadFlyer’s taproom is set to close on April 5, 2026; Dangerous Man’s takeover is expected to begin in spring 2026.

Implications for the Northeast Minneapolis craft beer corridor

The handoff at 861 E. Hennepin Ave. continues a broader trend of operational reshuffling among Minnesota breweries, with some businesses reducing on-site hospitality while sustaining production and wholesale distribution. For HeadFlyer, exiting the taproom model while maintaining distribution allows the brand to remain present in the market without the costs and staffing demands associated with a full-time public taproom.

For Dangerous Man, the opportunity provides an established brewery-and-taproom footprint in a neighborhood where it built much of its early identity. The site’s existing buildout as a brewery space may reduce the time and capital typically required to launch a new taproom, though details about renovations, opening timelines, and the full beverage lineup have not been finalized publicly.

What remains unknown

• The specific opening date for Dangerous Man’s new Northeast Minneapolis taproom.

• Whether production brewing will occur on-site at 861 E. Hennepin Ave. or primarily remain based in Maple Lake.

• Any planned changes to the space’s layout, event programming, or hours compared with HeadFlyer’s current taproom operations.

In the near term, HeadFlyer’s remaining weeks of taproom service will determine how the transition unfolds on the ground, while Dangerous Man’s spring 2026 timeline will shape when customers can expect the next chapter to begin at the Hennepin Avenue location.