ABOUT
SNARKY
The vision behind Snarky Loon is all about having a brewery that the locals can call their own and to offer a traveler’s destination for those heading north to their cabins or the lake. With those ideas in mind, Snarky Loon Brewing Company took shape. Having celebrated their first year, Melissa, Joe and the rest of the Snarky team look forward to meeting you.
OUR
TEAM
JOE AND MELISSA KLATT, Owners
Joe was born and raised in the metro area. After high school, he spent 21 years in military service in the US Army and US Coast Guard. After retiring, he moved on to the next chapter of his life as an Emergency Services Helicopter pilot which brought him back to Minnesota and to the Brainerd Lakes. Here is where he met his wife Melissa and have decided on opening another of life’s chapter together as owners of Snarky Loon Brewing Company.
Melissa is a native of the Brainerd Lakes area. She has lived in Brainerd most of her life where she ran a home daycare facility for 16 years. Looking for a change of pace, she got into the restaurant business where she found her passion. First as a brewery manager and then as the Club Manager for the VFW in Jenkins, she learned what it takes to provide superior customer service.
JOSH ESTENSEN, Brewer
Josh started home brewing in college to save money. He joined the Northern Arizona Craft Beer Association and moved up the ranks to President. Recognizing that his love of craft beer will lead toward his career, he attended Northern Arizona University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Josh has been brewing professionally for 4 years in Arizona, Colorado and now Minnesota where he is now heading up Snarky Loon Brewing Company’s brewery operations. Has a love and passion for small batch systems and experimental beer.
Hobbies outside of brewery: exploring Minnesota with his girlfriend and her 2 kids
Pets: Mans best friend, Baxter. A basset hound/pit bull.
Favorite music: rap, pop and rock
Favorite food: M E A T
You will catch him drinking mostly IPAs, German lagers and anything Belgian
