Podcast appearances and mentions of omar ansari

Foodie Friday - with drinks this week! Omar Ansari, owner and founder of Surly Brewing joins Amy & JJ to talk about the concept and the location - coming to Grand Forks, ND/ UND Campus, August 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Dustin reads another chapter from his book 'Mans Picture of Wealth'. In this chapter, we focus on the life of Omar Ansari, a self-made billionaire in the automotive industry. Born and raised in Doha, Qatar, Omar moved to Italy and built an empire supplying high-end parts to luxury car manufacturers. Theo believes that by capturing the moment that Omar makes his billion dollar deal, he will be capturing the picture of wealth but as he converses with Omar he realizes wealth is not defined by the deals that take place in the boardroom. In the next coming weeks, join us as we explore Theo's journey of self-discovery, retirement planning and the pursuit of the ultimate picture of wealth. CONNECT WITH US: Instagram LinkedIn Website

The Surly Brewing story is the stuff of entrepreneurial legend in Minnesota, but in recent years, founder Omar Ansari has had to contend with an industry wide decline of beer sales, diversification of the adult beverage market, pandemic shutdowns, and changing employee expectations. “Things have changed and we're having to change with it,” Ansari says. Over the summer, Ansari got back to his roots: visiting neighborhood bars that sell Surly, connecting with fans, and telling the story. In this wide ranging conversation, we go back to how it all started, and then talk about how Ansari had had to come around to doing contract brewing and introducing new beverages like hop water and a THC seltzer to stay competitive. “If that's where we're at, that's what will do.” Then we go back to the classroom with the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship. Assistant professor Casey Frid has conducted research on the craft beer industry and talks about how the market saturation can chip away at a brand's character. “Previously, craft brewing was about independence,” Frid says. “Now you do what have to to survive.”

Omar Ansari from Surly Brewing talks about Darkness Day and their new THC drinks. 

Surly Brewing founder Omar Ansari wanted to make great beer. The first beer was Bender, an oatmeal brown ale. That opened the door. Furious, an aggressively hopped IPA, kicked it in, transforming the way Minnesota thought about craft beer. Word spread, especially among the Twin Cities craft beer community.  Best-of lists and Brewery of the Year honors followed. As this idea started to gain momentum, Omar was perplexed by a Prohibition-era Minnesota law that prevented production breweries from selling their beer onsite. He worked with Minnesota legislators, and the vocal, passionate Surly Nation, to change that law. The so-called “Surly Bill” passed on May 24, 2011, and scores of new breweries and taprooms bloomed. Minnesota's proud brewing history, unchanged for so long, finally got another chapter, one that's still being written.In December 2014, the Brooklyn Center taproom poured its last pint and Minneapolis' Prospect Park neighborhood officially became home to the Surly Destination Brewery. The 50,000 square-foot facility hosts a brewhouse, beer hall, beer garden, company store, event center, pizza restaurant, and Festival Field concert venue.We talk with Omar about how Covid has impacted the brewery and what's next on the horizon.Support the showFollow the Makers of Minnesota on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @MakersofMN. Send story ideas to Stephanie@stephaniesdish.com If you appreciate the work we do here, please subscribe on Patreon Please subscribe to My newsletter at https://stephaniehansen.substack.com/ so you don't miss an epiosde of the Makers of Minnesota This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

Surly Brewing founder Omar Ansari wanted to make great beer. The first beer was Bender, an oatmeal brown ale. That opened the door. Furious, an aggressively hopped IPA, kicked it in, transforming the way Minnesota thought about craft beer. Word spread, especially among the Twin Cities craft beer community.  Best-of lists and Brewery of the Year honors followed. As this idea started to gain momentum, Omar was perplexed by a Prohibition-era Minnesota law that prevented production breweries from selling their beer onsite. He worked with Minnesota legislators, and the vocal, passionate Surly Nation, to change that law. The so-called “Surly Bill” passed on May 24, 2011, and scores of new breweries and taprooms bloomed. Minnesota's proud brewing history, unchanged for so long, finally got another chapter, one that's still being written.In December 2014, the Brooklyn Center taproom poured its last pint and Minneapolis' Prospect Park neighborhood officially became home to the Surly Destination Brewery. The 50,000 square-foot facility hosts a brewhouse, beer hall, beer garden, company store, event center, pizza restaurant, and Festival Field concert venue.We talk with Omar about how Covid has impacted the brewery and what's next on the horizon.Support the show (https://paypal.me/StephanieKHansen?locale.x=en_US)

Omar Ansari is a Senior Software Engineer at SVT Robotics, a startup dedicated to developing a rapid deployment platform for industrial robotics and software. Previously Omar worked as a Lead Software Engineer at CarMax. After working with robots all day he likes to hang out with with his wife, Emma, and two cats, Kisses 1 & Kisses 2. If you want to talk to him, you'll probably find him at Mekong in Richmond, VA (post-pandemic, of course!).

Co-hosts Parvez Ahmed and Omar Ansari are joined by a very special guest, former NBA player, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, for an in-depth conversation covering his early days as a youth in Mississippi to his ascension to the NBA, his acceptance of Islam, the national anthem controversy, current events, and his future plans.  Join us for this long-awaited conversation!

Co-hosts Parvez Ahmed and Omar Ansari are joined by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, founder of SeekersGuidance.  They dive deep into what Ramadan will look like this year, given the stay at home orders, and Shaykh Faraz shares his thoughts on, among many things, how to take advantage of the month's blessing despite the disruption.

Co-hosts Parvez Ahmed and Omar Ansari are joined by Dr. Umair Shah and Dr. Mir Alikhan in a discussion covering the public health impact of the coronavirus crisis.  Dr. Shah is Executive Director and Local Health Authority for Harris County Public Health (HCPH) – a nationally recognized $100 million agency serving the nation’s 3rd largest county (4.7 million). Dr. Alikhan is a private practice pulmonary & critical care physician on staff at Houston Methodist West Hospital and Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital, where he also serves as Medical Director of the Respiratory Care Department.

Join hosts Parvez Ahmed and Omar Ansari as they sit down with Ahsan Syed to hear about his journey from India to the United States half a century ago, and all the ups and downs that came with being an immigrant in America.  This is the first in a series of episodes where we'll hear the stories of Muslim immigrants to the United States.  Please note that this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 crisis.

Join Parvez Ahmed and Omar Ansari as they catch up (virtually) from their homes in the bay area to discuss their experiences self-isolating and socially distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Happy New Year! Diffused Congruence celebrates 2020 by taking a look at the latest film in the storied Star Wars saga with special guest Omar Ansari for a deep dive into the close of this latest trilogy. Listen as Zaki, Parvez, and Omar discuss what they liked, what they didn't, and just generally geek out over their shared love for this beloved franchise. Plus: An announcement about the future of the show! Check it all out via the embed below (or via iTunes or Stitcher). As always, please hit "like" on our Facebook page, and send any comments or questions to DiffusedCongruence@gmail.com.

10/17 Reuvers and Frattallone chat with Omar Ansari the founder and President of Surly Brewing plus we chat with the guys from Castle Danger Brewery

The Sauna Talk Craft Brewery Series continues. We first interviewed Omar Ansari, founder of Surly Brewing, inside his wood fired sauna, episode here. Today, we head up to Duluth, Minnesota to Sauna Talk with Ben Hugus, co founder of Ursula Brewing. You will hear similarities with these conversations as there is a parallel to the craft brewing industry and sauna. In this episode of Sauna Talk, Ben Hugus, co founder of Ursula Minor Brewing, talks about the camaraderie and collaboration involved with starting Duluth’s 8th craft brewery. “We all get along. We share ideas and we all benefit by helping each other out” he says. Ursula Minor collaborated with Larsmont Cottages this year for Sauna Days, bringing their craft beers and even a special batch of Sauna Beer, specifically made for this past weekend’s sauna gathering (by the shores of Lake Superior!). The nuances of the beer are quite special. (hint: spruce tips!). Normally we Sauna Talk on the sauna bench, yet we recorded this episode in front of a live audience at Larsmont Cottage’s main lodge.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting on the bench with Omar Ansari, founder of Surly Brewing. You can listen to our Sauna Talk Episode here. Today on the bench, I have the pleasure of visiting with another enterprising icon in the Twin Cities. Today we welcome John Munger, Executive Director, Loppet Foundation. John and Omar have a few similarities Both John and Omar know each other from way back. Surly was an early sponsor of the Loppet Foundation. That relationship is still strong today. Their beginnings: John with the Loppet and Omar with Surly, each started as a kernel seed of an idea. And each have each grown into something long lasting and remarkable. Both have have swam upstream against established rules and structure, both political and policy, with fierce dedication to their clear visions and missions. As you’ll hear in this episode, John notes that “real change in the world is stuff that lasts.” In the case of Surly Brewing, we have Surlyville, a substantially cool and beautiful brewery destination complex. In the case of Loppet Foundation, we have the Trailhead, a substantially cool and beautiful recreation destination complex. Each of these beautiful buildings, and the smiles created within, are “instagram worthy” Both buildings appearing in tourist brochures and social media feeds for people visiting the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Neither of these Twin City iconic structures and organizations would exist without Omar and John. What is the Loppet Foundation? Founded in 2002, The Loppet Foundation It is a non profit, which is dedicated towards doing something good for the community. The foundation undertakes a variety of things including trails & facilities management, large-scale public events, youth and adult recreational programming, and competitive training clubs. At the center of all of these ‘tentacles’ is their mission, which is to create a shared passion for year-round outdoor adventure in the Minneapolis area, with a focus on underserved youth and families. The Loppet Foundation offers year-round programs for kids adults and everyone in between. From Loppet Run Club to our in-school Minne-Loppet program. The foundation works to get folks from all walks of life outside and active no matter the weather. Luminary Loppet, Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, Minnesota The Luminary has grown tremendously. As you will hear in the interview, the first luminary had about 150 people in 2006 and this past Luminary we had over 10,000 people in attendance. The Trailhead project (includes building and surround trail improvements) is about a $10 million project in total. The building is completed and has quickly become a signature, statement piece for Minneapolis. 612 Sauna Society’s wood fired mobile sauna has been parked in the shadows o the trailhead all winter long, and now into Spring. The sauna residency has complemented the offerings of the Trailhead. Guests have been able to enjoy sauna after a ski, surrounding old growth trees and well groomed trails, in a “this is so awesome, it’s got to be against some kind of rule” kind of way.

Welcome to this episode of Sauna Talk. Today on the bench we are joined by Omar Ansari, founder and owner of Surly Brewing Company. For those not in Minnesota, Surly Brewing, as of 2018, is reported to be the third largest brewery in Minnesota. Producing 93,000 barrels per year. Surly brewing made the list of top 50 brewers in the United States, and will be knocking their way down on that list, I'm sure. The Surly beer hall and garden, located between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul is a, well, a very large facility that packs them in and has quickly become a destination point for locals and visitors to the Twin Cities. For those of us in Minnesota, Surly needs no introduction. For example, anyone attending the recent Neil Young concert at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, looking around before the lights went down, we could easily identify and loose count of the number of fans sipping from the iconic red and black Surly Furious 16 oz. can. Surly has become part of the fabric of Minnesota. But little known about Surly is its founder Omar's love and support of the authentic sauna experience. Omar has been a huge supporter of the 612 Sauna Society. The connection and credit goes to Margie Weaver who at the time was Omar's yoga instructor. Margie arranged for Omar to meet up with 612 Sauna Society Founder JP. Once Omar felt the heat, the intention, and the idea of the 612 Sauna Society, he extended himself graciously to help expand authentic sauna in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/ St. Paul. 612 Sauna Society has had residencies within the Surly Brewing Courtyard. This gesture, at the time, was uncharted grounds. Today, the idea of meeting friends on the sauna bench, partaking in a few sauna rounds, then a libation and a bite to eat at Surly Brewing may seem like a logical and natural thing to do, as this is done in Scandinavia all the time. Yet despite Minnesota's long heritage of Finns and Northern Europeans familiar to sauna, as well as a cabin sauna culture that dates back generations along the shoreline of many of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes, the urban sauna concept (in the public domain) was very abstract and foreign in Minneapolis/St. Paul. as recently as just a couple years ago. In this episode of Sauna Talk, you'll hear about the origins of Surly Brewing: Omar jumping on the pent up demand of craft beer in the Upper Midwest. How Omar Surlyman was able to plow through the challenging task of getting an archaic, restrictive law changed to allow craft brewers to sell beer and food on sight, forever now known as the Surly Bill. Omar Ansari put craft beer in cans at a time when it was all 12 oz. glass. Omar Ansari embraced authentic sauna in the public domain. Omar Ansari is like us, he enjoys the heat up and the cool down. This evening we joined Omar on the sauna bench with a couple of Surly employees and their spouses, who were graciously quiet while I conducted this interview. Yet we "pass the microphone" and you will be introduced to them as well. Omar Ansari is not unlike European business owners who work hard, no doubt, but who have a beer with their staff, and hang out socially as well as on the sauna bench and between sauna rounds, presenting themselves as just another person. Sauna is the great equalizer and Omar Ansari displays this and shares this in his own backyard sauna on this cold Minnesota winter's night. The Friday Happy Hour is alive and well. And tonight we are joined on the sauna bench with a Minnesota Craft Brewing legend: Omar Ansari, founder and owner of Surly Brewing Company.

Surly Brewing Company brews some of the most sought after beers in the craft beer market and this week we discuss the brewery with owner Omar Ansari while of course drinking some of their delicious beers. A LOT to talk about, too much to cram into this interview but we did our best. Great brewery, great guys, and great beers... it's all... well... GREAT! This weeks beer lineup from Surly featured: Hell Doomtree CynicAle Bender Blakkr

This week on Beer Sessions Jimmy and Ray sat down with Paul Kermizian, owner of the incredible field of flashing lights and frothy pints known as Barcade and now director of the documentary American Beer, plus “roving reporter” Dave Brodrick. The guys talked about the “flyover states”, aka Middle America, and the breweries and beer varieties nestled between our coasts. Omar Ansari of Surly Brewing Company also called in to talk about putting craft beer in cans and how he changed his local laws to become a brewer. This episode was sponsored by Great Brewers.com: a favorite source for beer information and education and one of the internet’s most popular beer destinations. Photo: Craft beer bar & vintage arcade “Barcade” in Williamsbug