Camp Nisswa Cream Ale – Launching Friday, September 19, 2025

Camp Nisswa
Sep 17
3 min read

Camp Nisswa Cream Ale - Big Axe Brewing Company | Nisswa, MN

It started as an idea this summer—just a conversation (over a Big Axe beer, of course), a spark, a “what if.” Today, it’s real. Camp Nisswa Cream Ale is here.

This Friday, September 19, 2025, the very first hometown pour of Camp Nisswa Cream Ale will be available on tap and in cans at Big Axe Brewing Company in Downtown Nisswa.

A Partnership Rooted in Nisswa

Big Axe Brewing Company has been a staple in Nisswa since 2015, pouring heart and craft into every batch. They’ve grown from a taproom into a full kitchen and brewery, and along the way became the kind of place you don’t just stop at—you stay, because it feels like home. You grab a burger, catch some live music on the patio, and it just feels right.

When the idea of a “Camp Nisswa beer” came up this summer, Chris and the Big Axe team didn’t hesitate. We rolled right into brainstorming—working on the recipe, shaping the name, and sketching out the can art. From tossing around ideas to watching the can design take shape, every step made it feel more real. And in true Nisswa fashion, it all came together with a lot of laughter, a little trial and error, and a shared love for this community.

The result is a smooth, golden Cream Ale that tastes like Nisswa in a glass.

Brewing Camp Nisswa Cream Ale

On August 27, 2025, the brewing process kicked off. Water was softened and balanced, a malt bill carefully built with a 2-to-1 ratio of pilsner malt to two-row, with just the right touch of corn for character. The mash held steady at 155°F—right in the sweet spot.

Seven hours in the brewhouse, ten days in Fermenter #3, and by September 17, the cans rolled off the line. 400 pounds of malt went into this batch—lighter than Big Axe’s Labor Lake (which uses about 615 lbs) for comparison.

The goal was simple: brew a Cream Ale that’s crisp, approachable, and perfectly at home in the Lakes Area. A beer you can sip on the patio, bring to the cabin, or enjoy by the fire after a long day on the lake.

A Community Pour

This collaboration was more than just making beer—it was about people. Chris, Eoin, and the entire Big Axe crew welcomed us in, showing us step by step how water, malt, hops, and yeast become something worth raising a glass to. They answered questions, let us peek into the tanks, and even tolerated our constant photo and video taking,

That’s what makes this special. It’s not just a beer. It’s a reflection of Nisswa—the teamwork, the pride, and the joy of creating something together. We can’t thank the Big Axe team enough for believing in this idea from day one.

The First Pour

Mark your calendars. This Friday, September 19, the very first Camp Nisswa Cream Ale will be poured. Whether you’re stopping in for a pint at Big Axe or grabbing cans to bring back to the cabin, you’ll be part of the start of something new. Camp Nisswa Cream Ale will also be available soon at Spirits of Nisswa, near Schaefer’s Foods.