MNBeer – Beer from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul and beyond


Countdown to St. Paul Summer Beer Fest with Third Street Brewhouse at Stanley’s

May 24, 2012
5:00 pmto7:00 pm

Thursday promises to be a fun night of beer at Stanley’s NE. The crew from Third Street Brewhouse in Cold Spring will be on hand to sample their first three beers (a black IPA, a cream ale and a brown ale), which should hit shelves and draft lines in July. With a team that includes Horace Cunningham (formerly of Summit Brewing and Terrapin) as well as Bob McKenzie (Sherlock’s Home, Granite City) and Chris Laumb (O’Hara’s, McCann’s). St. Paul Summer Beer Fest “luminaries” will also be on hand and giving away tickets every half hour. Good times. 5-7pm.

Weekend Events with Stone’s Greg Koch at Republic & Old Capital Tavern

May 24, 2012
8:00 pmto9:30 pm
May 25, 2012
7:00 pmto8:30 pm

Photo: StudioSchulz.com

Ready your “GregFace” if you’re so inclined and spend an evening with Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Stone Brewing Co this weekend. Check out these events.

Greg will be at Republic on Friday, May 25  from 7-8:30pm, and of course the Stone beers will be flowing: Arrogant Bastard Ale, along with several special releases: Double Dry Hopped Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Stone Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers,  Stone Imperial Russian Stout, and Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine.

On Sunday, May 27th from 8-9:30pm, the St. Cloud area gets a taste of Stone at Old Capital Tavern in Sauk Rapids. Stone beers on tap that evening include: Stone Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone IPA, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, and Stone Ruination IPA.

More info on other stops as we get them. We know, for example, that he’ll be at Tilia for a beer dinner on June 3rd. Cheers!

Better Beer Society’s Brown Bag Series #2 at Butcher & Boar

June 30, 2012

Today Better Beer Society announced that they have partnered with The Butcher & the Boar for the the second event in their “Brown Bag Blind Tasting Event”. The event will be held on June 30th in the beer garden at The Butcher & the Boar.

The theme for Series #2 is “Summer Session: Backyard BBQ Beers” and will feature 28 taps paired with summer flavors. The goal is to expose participants to beer pairing techniques, with a nod to backyard bbqing.

The event will guide guests through four categories of blind samples paired with a different small plate, designed to accentuate both the beer and the food. Sounds like a blast!

This event will sell out. Get your tickets now at www.betterbeersociety.com

The Better Beer Society is a multi-faceted agency dedicated to the growth and promotion of craft beer; focusing on quality control in our restaurants and bars, as well as hosting creative events, based upon educating the MN craft beer community.

This is the second event in our series of blind tasting events; all designed to challenge and educate your palate. Our aim is to get you thinking and talking about the aromas and flavors that you are experiencing, as well as get rid of any preconceptions one may have about certain beer styles.

BTV & Mark Stutrud Dish on Saga IPA

Michael Dawson from Northern Brewer Homebrew Supply & Brewing TV gets some one-on-one time with Summit Brewing Company’s Mark Stutrud to discuss Summit’s new year-round American IPA release “Saga IPA.”

Good times ensue.

Beer & Beast at Acadia Cafe

May 22, 2012
7:00 pm

You need something to look forward to as you settle into the week. Keep your eyes on the Beer & Beast prize at Acadia Cafe. $12 gets you beef fajitas with all the trimmings and Harriet Pilsner.

Boom Island Brimstone Release

May 22, 2012
4:30 pmto6:30 pm
May 23, 2012
5:00 pmto8:00 pm

Boom Island’s fourth beer, Brimstone makes its way to market this week with a release party at Eli’s East on Tuesday starting at 4:30 followed by a bottle release at the brewery on Wednesday from 5-8.

At  Eli’s East from 4:30-6:30pm, there will be special pricing on Brimstone and a Boom Island Tap Takeover featuring all four Boom Island beers on tap as well as special beer recipes, pairings and more.

On Wednesday, you can head over to the brewery (2207 North 2nd Street, Minneapolis) from 5-8pm for the first crack at bottles of Brimstone.  Brimstone is priced at $10 per 750ml bottle (tax included) with a limit of two per person. Kevin and the rest of the staff will be on hand to answer questions, and you’re welcome to take a peek at the brewery.

The Beer: Color: Light Blond Flavor: Slight Sweetness layered over subtle yet complex spiciness Strength: 9.5% ABV (The important part) -A true example of the Belgian Abbey tradition of brewing, one of which I personally am very, very proud.

Summit Saga Firkin at Old Chicago, Minnetonka Tuesday

May 22, 2012
6:00 pm

The first firkin of Summit’s Saga IPA rolls out to Old Chicago in Minnetonka on Tuesday at 6pm. This one has been dry-hopped with Citra hop  Samples and giveaways as well!

Surly Pentagram & Sÿx Label Art

Thanks to Beernews.org for digging up the artwork. As we reported back in March (via Denver Post), Surly hoped to make Pentagram an annual Summer bottle release. Lo and behold, Beernews.org gives us the artwork. Check it out. Click for a larger image. 

They also rustled up artwork for Sÿx, which translates roughly into “six” for those of you who don’t speak metal. Surly Sÿx is a wood-aged American Strong Ale that’ll weigh in around 15%. Please don’t fuck it up and it Styx. Again, click to see a bigger version.

Brewing TV #62 – Maibock for May Day

Brewing TV is celebrating May Day with homebrew. BTV associate Joe Giambruno drops some knowledge and history as he goes old-school on a double-decocted maibock at Northern Brewer Minneapolis. Joe and Chip then join homeboy Andrew Bartelson for tasting notes at his annual May Day Parade party in South Minneapolis. Brew, Share & Enjoy!

Beer Fest Benefiting Craftworks Foundation at Old Chicago in Minnetonka Tonight

May 17, 2012
6:00 pmto9:00 pm

Tonight (Thursday May 17th) from 6pm-9pm Old Chicago in Minnetonka will be celebrating American Craft Beer week with local and national beers in support of Craftworks Foundation, an organization that helps the hungry and homeless. They’ll have 10+ breweries featuring 20+ beers as well as some tasty food. Tickets are $25 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Craftworks Foundation helping the hungry and homeless.

New Belgium Tasting/Takeover at Heritage Tonight

Heritage is getting all New Belgium-y on us. Beer Ranger Derek (aka Theo) will be pouring samples from 5-7. If that weren’t enough, the bomber of the week at Heritage is New Belgium’s Abbey Grand Cru and they’re running specials on 4 and 6 packs as well. Read on:

New Belgium Heritage Takeover!

For the price of a debt they’ll never be able to erase (the juice is running!), we’re allowing New Belgium Brewery to take over our store this week. The truth is that we’ll do all the work and they’ll get all the credit, but you’ll get to reap the benefits.

Bomber of the Week
For our BOTW, we’ll have their Abbey Grand Cru, a big, beautiful version of their Abbey Ale at 20% off.  Rich and bottle conditioned, this a great beer to cellar.

Thursday Tasting
For our tasting on Thursday the 17th, we will have Derek (aka: “Theo” aka: the sexiest Beer Ranger in whatever room he is in) here to pour samples of some of their brews from 5-7PM.

Brewery of the Month
There’s a theme developing … our featured brewery this month is … stay with me here … New Belgium.  For the month of May we’ll have their 4-packs and 6-packs on sale for $7.49 and their 12 packs (can and bottle) on sale for $12.99.

Taste of River Lakes Craft Beer and Wine Expo Saturday in Richmond, MN

May 19, 2012
2:00 pmto6:00 pm

On Saturday, May 19th from 2-6 “Taste of River Lakes Craft Beer and Wine Expo” will take place River Lakes Civic Center in Richmond MN. The event advertises over 100 different varieties of craft beers and 30 varieties of wine to sample throughout the afternoon. From what I gather, if you don’t get your fill, the event will continue offsite with special bar tapping at local pubs. Advanced tickets are $25.00 (Cash Wise Liquor) or $30.00 at the door. All proceeds to benefit River Lakes Hockey.

Music by The Hell Country Truckers. Food available from Jimmy’s Pizza, Cold Spring Bakery and others.

WWW.RiverLakesExpo.com

That’s about all I have. Third Street Brewhouse and Cold Spring are sponsors, so no doubt they’ll be present.

Maredsous Beer Dinner at Kip’s

May 21, 2012
5:30 pm

Kip’s Irish Pub in St. Louis Park is holding their first beer dinner on May 21st, featuring beers from Maredsous. $40/person gets you three courses, each paired with a different Maredsous offering. Call or email for reservations, 952.367.5070 and kip@kipspub.com respectively.

Menu/pairings below the fold…

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Granite City Blueberry Ale Release Wednesday

May 16, 2012

A couple of updates from Granite City for American Craft Beer Week… First, they’ll be tapping their Blueberry Ale tomorrow (Wednesday). If I remember correctly, their version reminds me a bit of a very lightly-hopped blonde ale with a very generous addition of blueberry.

Secondly, they’re advertising brewery tours – see manager for details. As you might know, their process is a little different than most brewpubs, with a brewhouse (worthouse, perhaps) in Iowa the produces wort that is then shipped to locations in something not unlike a dairy truck (broken into sections for beer varieties) and then fermented on-site. With the exception of St. Cloud, none of the pubs have a full brewhouse on site. Regardless, it might be interesting to check out. Fill us in if you take a tour!

Finally, they’re offering samplers now. $3.75 gets you 8 small portions of beer.

Session Fest at Pig and Fiddle

May 15, 2012toMay 20, 2012

That’s right! This B-Side festival has made it across the river! The Pig & Fiddle (sister restaurant to the Muddy Pig) is also holding a Session Beer Festival this week. They are offering 12 sessionable beers, all under 5% ABV in flights. Get 3 5oz pours for $8. So, if you’re on the Minneapolis side & don’t want to make the trek all the way to Saint Paul, come check it out!