Not to be overly dramatic, but part of my Minnesota soul is coming back to life. The iconic Grain Belt Beer sign on the bank of the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis has been purchased by the Schell's Brewing Company, and may soon be lighting up the skyline (just as I remember it from my childhood).

I grew up on the Northeast side of Minneapolis (Fridley to be exact). My dad's parents lived in South Minneapolis, and many Sunday's meant loading the family into the car for a day and grandma & grandpa's house. Vikings on the TV, Chow Mein from the place down the street on 34th Avenue near Lake Nokomis, and big bowls of ice cream after supper.

On the way home, asleep in the backseat of the car; I can't tell you how many times I woke up as we crossed the river downtown (on the grated 'tickle bridge', seeing the big Grain Belt sign lighting up the night, before we made the trek to Fridley on East River Road; past all the bars, Jax, the Grain Belt Brewery, Graco, FMC, under 694, and home.

Yesterday, the Schell's Brewing Company (current brewer of Grain Belt) based in New Ulm, agreed to purchase the sign and the land it sits on, and hope to get it fixed and lit for the first time I'm 20 years. It will ultimately be donated to the Minnesota Preservation Alliance.

This Minnesota boy's soul feels a little bit better today. I think I'l crack a Nordy. The brew that grew with the great Northwest. (BTW: The sign has been my Facebook cover photo for a long, long time.)

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