Food & Wine
Potter's Pasties Launches Pop-Up Inside Beer Dabbler Depot
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Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 14:46 GMT by TwinCities.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Potter’s Pasties Goes Pop‑Up Inside Beer Dabbler Depot on St. Paul’s West Seventh
On December 16, 2025, the Twin Cities’ food scene got an unexpected twist when Potter’s Pasties – a small‑batch, artisanal pasty shop that has already earned a cult following on Instagram – opened its doors inside the Beer Dabbler Depot liquor store on St. Paul’s West Seventh Street. The opening, which coincided with the holiday season, has sparked excitement among locals and food‑loving beer enthusiasts alike.
A Unusual Collaboration
The article opens with a photo of a sleek, industrial storefront: the familiar “Beer Dabbler Depot” sign above a glass door that now displays a new sign, “Potter’s Pasties.” The writer explains that the two businesses are not merely co‑located; they are a true partnership. Potter’s Pasties owner, Maria “Mia” Potts, came up with the idea after noticing how the Beer Dabbler Depot’s craft‑beer lineup attracted a crowd that seemed eager to try a hearty snack. She and the depot’s owner, Jim “Jax” Jackson, met during a casual conversation in the store’s back room, and the rest was history.
The partnership is built around a shared vision: to create a unique dining experience that marries locally sourced, handcrafted pasties with the best of Minnesota’s craft‑beer scene. The Beer Dabbler Depot is a well‑known specialty liquor store that carries over 300 local and international beers on tap, plus a curated selection of bottled craft beers. Potter’s Pasties, on the other hand, has been featured on a few food‑bloggers’ lists for its inventive fillings—think “Bison & Sweet Potato” and “Roasted Cauliflower & Hemp Seeds.”
The Space and Service Model
The article highlights that the store’s layout has been cleverly adapted to accommodate the new food venture. A small, stainless‑steel prep area has been set up adjacent to the tap line, while a glass display case shows the finished pasties. The back‑of‑house kitchen is a modest, single‑counter space that allows Mia to keep everything fresh and fast—no more than 30 minutes from preparation to plate. A small counter near the front of the store serves both pasties and beer, letting customers pair a steaming pasty with a cold pint of “St. Paul’s Pale Ale” or the depot’s specialty “Citrus Honey Stout.”
The opening was celebrated with a free‑tasting event that ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the same day. Customers were able to try three sample pasties for free, each paired with a small beer sampler. The article reports that the event drew over 200 people, and the lines were long by the end of the first hour. The writer includes a quote from Mia: “We wanted to bring a little bit of ‘home‑cooked’ comfort to a place that’s all about craft. The instant feedback was incredible—people loved the idea of pairing a hearty pasty with a local brew.”
Menu Highlights
The article goes on to detail the current menu, which features six main pasties plus a handful of smaller “bite‑size” options. The classic “Corned Beef & Cabbage” remains a staple, but the new seasonal offerings are particularly noteworthy:
| Pasty | Description |
|---|---|
| Bison & Sweet Potato | Wild‑game protein with a sweet‑savory mash base. |
| Roasted Cauliflower & Hemp Seeds | A vegetarian option with a peppery kick. |
| Spinach & Feta | A Greek-inspired filling with a creamy cheese base. |
| Pumpkin & Sage | A fall‑season favorite that’s already sold out on the first day. |
| Cheddar & Bacon | The crowd‑pleaser that pairs perfectly with the depot’s “Maple Brown Ale.” |
All pasties are baked in a custom, brick‑fired oven that the article notes gives them a unique crust texture. The portion sizes range from a single pasty (≈350 cal) to a double (≈600 cal), and pricing sits between $5.99 and $8.99.
The Beer Dabbler Depot’s website (linked in the article) confirms that the store will continue to offer a full beer menu. In addition, there will be a small “Pairing Menu” posted near the pasties counter that suggests which beer to try with each pasty variety. The writer points out that this pairing guide is part of a larger trend in the Twin Cities, where many specialty stores are now experimenting with food‑and‑drink collaborations.
Community Reaction & Future Plans
The article quotes a few regular customers, including food blogger Alex R. of “Midwest Munchies,” who praised the partnership for “bringing something new to the downtown area without sacrificing quality.” Another quote comes from a local small‑business owner who said, “I love seeing local entrepreneurs collaborate like this; it keeps the community vibrant.”
Looking ahead, Mia plans to expand the menu after the holidays, potentially offering a “Winter Harvest” line featuring root vegetables and local game. She also hinted at plans to host “beer & pasty pairing workshops” that would educate customers about how different beer styles complement various fillings. The writer noted that the Beer Dabbler Depot’s owner, Jax, is enthusiastic about these workshops, describing them as a “great way to engage the community and bring in new customers.”
Final Thoughts
By summarizing the article’s key points—how Potter’s Pasties and Beer Dabbler Depot combined forces to create a novel food‑beer experience, what the new menu looks like, and the community’s warm reception—the piece demonstrates how two seemingly unrelated businesses can collaborate to great effect. The writer also followed the article’s embedded links to the Beer Dabbler Depot’s website and Potter’s Pasties Instagram account, both of which provide further details on menu items, operating hours (open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and upcoming events.
If you’re in St. Paul’s West Seventh area this holiday season, or you’re a craft‑beer enthusiast looking for a comforting accompaniment, Potter’s Pasties inside the Beer Dabbler Depot is a must‑visit spot that captures the spirit of collaboration and culinary creativity in the Twin Cities.
Read the Full TwinCities.com Article at:
[ https://www.twincities.com/2025/12/16/potters-pasties-opens-inside-beer-dabbler-depot-liquor-store-on-st-pauls-west-seventh/ ]
