Rendezvous Brewing: Light, Hoppy and Darker Brews

Doug Toth is the co-founder and head brewer at Rendezvous Brewing in Hackensack, MN. Passionate about crafting high-quality, locally inspired beer, he brings a dedication to sustainability and community to every batch. Under his leadership, Rendezvous Brewing has become a welcoming gathering space, offering a diverse selection of craft beers and hosting events that bring people together. Doug was recently featured in an interview with DeliveryRank, where he shared insights about his brewing journey and the community-focused mission of Rendezvous Brewing.

Rendezvous Brewing offers a variety of craft beers, including light, hoppy, and darker options. Can you share the inspiration behind some of your flagship brews and how you decide on new flavors to introduce?

Our first beer was named Chapter One, inspired by my wife’s grandparents, who ran a restaurant called Rendezvous in our small town of Hackensack back in the 1950s. That’s where our name comes from. Even before that, in the 1930s and ‘40s, they used to brew their own beer, which made the connection even more meaningful.

When I designed Chapter One, I wanted to create an old-fashioned pale ale—something that truly reflected what they might have brewed back then. I used traditional ingredients and classic hops to achieve that vintage style. When we first released it on tap, it was an instant hit. We named it Hackensack Pale Ale after our tiny town of just 300 people, and people really loved it. It’s been on tap ever since—going strong for almost five years now.

Another one of our beers is a cream ale called Sunny Dream. It features local honey from our neighbors, who keep their own bees. We love incorporating local ingredients whenever possible, keeping everything as close to home as we can.

My wife and I also take a lot of beer trips for research. A couple of years ago, we were in Bend, Oregon, when the West Coast Pilsner style was just emerging. I instantly fell in love with it and knew that as soon as I got back home, I had to figure out how to make one myself. Many of our beer inspirations come from the places we visit and the flavors we discover along the way.

Your taproom is described as large and sun-filled, with additional spaces like a party room and a summertime patio. How does the design and ambiance of your taproom enhance the overall customer experience, and what role do these spaces play in community engagement?

From a design standpoint, we wanted to create a space that feels warm and inviting—a place where people can truly relax. We incorporated leather couches and chairs arranged around a cozy faux fireplace, while our tables are a mix of high and low to offer variety and comfort.

In our small town, there aren’t many entertainment options beyond going out to eat, visiting a bar, or attending church. So, we wanted to provide a space where people could gather, play games, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

We also have a spacious party room that can accommodate up to 100 guests. Over the years, we’ve hosted everything from comedy shows and weddings to bachelor and bachelorette parties. Our weekly trivia nights are always a huge draw, packing the room with excited teams. Additionally, many local nonprofits use our space for meetings, and we’re happy to offer it to them free of charge—it’s our way of supporting the community.

Ultimately, our space has evolved into more than just a brewery; it’s become a true community gathering place, bringing people together in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

With the craft beer industry continually evolving, how does Rendezvous Brewing stay current with industry trends while maintaining its unique identity?

We invest a significant amount of time in research, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources. We follow many of our favorite breweries online, stay connected with brewers and brewery owners, and continuously seek out industry insights. Before opening Rendezvous Brewing, my wife and I had a shared passion for visiting different breweries and exploring new beers, and we continue to do that as often as possible.

Podcasts are another major resource—I listen to a wide range of brewing-related content to stay informed about trends and techniques. I also make a habit of visiting different stores to see what’s on the shelves, keeping an eye on what’s new and what’s resonating with consumers. At the end of the day, it all comes down to research—constantly learning, experimenting, and refining our craft.

You offer non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks alongside your craft beers. How do you curate these additional offerings to complement your beer selection and cater to a diverse clientele?

A lot of our snack selection comes from observing what other breweries are offering and, most importantly, listening to our customers. We've had pretzels on the menu for quite some time, experimenting with different flavors over the years. Occasionally, we receive samples from new manufacturers, and if we like them, we might introduce them to our lineup.

We also partner with a local food co-op that creates a custom trail mix for us, which has been a big hit with our customers. They package it in small containers, and we sell it for $3. We’re always adjusting our offerings based on customer feedback. Right now, we’re testing flavored popcorn to see if it resonates with our guests. It’s all about keeping things fresh and giving people snacks they enjoy alongside their drinks.

Sustainability and locally sourced ingredients are becoming increasingly important in the craft beer industry. How does Rendezvous Brewing approach sustainability in its brewing process, ingredient sourcing, or overall business operations?

Environmental sustainability is a core value for us, and we make a conscious effort to minimize waste throughout our brewing process. One of the ways we do this is by reusing water whenever possible. As we cool the beer through our wort chiller, we capture the hot water and repurpose it for cleaning and keg washing, reducing unnecessary waste.

We also prioritize using local ingredients whenever we can. For example, we source honey from a local beekeeper for some of our beers, and a friend of ours grows hops nearby, allowing us to do an annual hop harvest and brew a fresh-hop beer each fall.

In addition, we ensure that our spent grains don’t go to waste. A local organic farmer collects them and feeds them to his cows, pigs, and chickens. In turn, the fertilizer from his farm is used in our community garden, creating a full-circle sustainability loop.

When it comes to malt, while there aren’t many maltsters in Minnesota, we source local grain whenever the quality meets our standards. Otherwise, we purchase from Brewer Supply Group in Shakopee, Minnesota, to maintain the quality of our brews. Sustainability is an ongoing effort for us, and we’re always looking for new ways to make our brewing process as environmentally friendly as possible.

If you would like to find out more about Rendezvous Brewing, please visit https://www.rendezvousbrewing.com/