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"Located in St. Louis Park at 6311 Cambridge Street, I see the family-run Dampfwerk Distillery has built a reputation on European-style fruit brandies rather than the typical vodka/gin/whiskey rotation, and until now fans have had to hunt down the distinctive square bottles with etched artwork at liquor stores. Co-founder Ralf Loeffelholz, who is German, readily shares stories of region-specific brandies and family legacies, and his passion for coaxing seasonal flavors is evident in conversation. Before the end of 2019 they will open a cocktail room that aims to embody a convivial German drinking culture and will pour autumnal pear and apple brandies, a bitter-laced rye, bracing gin and the Pfeffersack, which sips like Fernet; bartenders will offer classic cocktails with a serious focus on drinks made with the brandies. The cocktail room will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, and on Sunday it will host a kaffeeklatch with German coffee, cakes and brandy — Dampfwerk has been working with Honey & Rye Bakehouse on German cakes, tortes, and pies — with a late-fall opening expected." - Joy Summers