Urban Moose Brewing Co. Planned for Former Sauk Rapids Legion

SAUK RAPIDS - The plan to bring a brewery to downtown Sauk Rapids is still being worked out, with a new location in mind. Roy Dodds, who owns Flying Pig Pizza, says he's entered into a purchase agreement to buy the former American Legion building on Benton Drive.

Dodds will open Urban Moose Brewing Company. He says he plans to remodel the existing building.

It actually works out quite well from a layout standpoint. It's only 10 years old so the structure and the mechanicals are quite valuable. We will move Flying Pig Pizza into that building and serve an expanded menu. Plus, we'll have our Urban Moose Brewing Company beer there.

He's planning on having about 40 to 80 seats outside on the patio, with another 130 to 150 seats in the tap room.

Dodds originally announced plans for Urban Moose Brewing at a different location in downtown Sauk Rapids in March of 2014, but soft and unstable soils at that site made it cost prohibitive.

The former American Legion Building has been vacant for just over a year.

Dodds is hoping to begin renovations in January, and be open by early May.