Author: Ryan Tuenge

Calling All Artists: Surly Feature Artist Contest

By on February 12, 2016in contest, misc. mn beer, MN, Surly Brewing Co.

Surly Call for Artists

Five years ago Surly Creative Director Michael Berglund won a coaster contest. Now he wears a lot of hats and is responsible for all things creative at the shiny new brewery. “It’s all you can eat. It’s a wonderful job” he says. Now he’s in charge of choosing this year’s artist who will create the artwork for SurlyFest, Darkness, and the anniversary beer.

The contest runs through Wednesday, February 17th this year and the process is long. First the major players at Surly get to review the portfolios and whittle it down to thirty. Then they are sent out to the former winners of the contest who will vote on it. Then Omar and Todd get to decide who wins. Berglund loves that it’s the fans of Surly that get this opportunity to create the artwork for these big events. “I think we should see what the fans are doing” he says. “The hardest part is that we can only have one winner. Last year we had to turn down 139 people.”

That’s right, there were 140 entries last year. Every single entry was seen by Berglund and he seems to take pride in that. “It’s a professional call for artists. What’s your connection to Surly?” Surly has always supported local artists and they seem to maintain good standing relationships with them even after their time is up. Some of those talented artists are Adam Turman, Josh “Jawsh” Lemke, Brent Schoonover, Aesthetic Apparatus, DWITT, Nic Skrade, Erica Williams, and Brandon Holt.

Speaking of supporting local artists, when Surly moved into their new markets in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa—Michael came up with an idea where the locals would design the poster in their respective markets. He hopes that artists in these markets will also show their connection to the brewery and what it means to them. “There’s no better way to show the spirit of Surly than allowing local artists to contribute.”

Well stated Michael.

Submit your portfolios here by Wednesday, February 17th: michael@surlybrewing.com

Cheers!

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Gearing Up for Barrel Aged Week

By on February 9, 2016in breweries, general beer, hops, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer

townhallbrewery

Town Hall Brewery has been hosting Barrel Aged Week for seven years now. This is one of the most popular events at the Seven Corners brewpub and it’s a lot of work so it makes sense that they’d dedicate an entire week to celebrate these brews. “These [beers] are a lot of work” says head brewer Mike Hoops. “It’s a lot easier to release them all at once.” February is also a slower month for most bars and restaurants and this was a way to get people to come out of their homes and into the brewpub. Barrel Aged Week will start on Monday, February 15th and run through Saturday, February 20th.

Mike Hoops, Barrel-Aged Week 2014. Photo: Ryan Anderson/MNBeer.com

Mike Hoops, Barrel-Aged Week 2014. Photo: Ryan Anderson/MNBeer.com

They will release about two beers per day (schedule below) at 5 PM all week long on draft and for sale in “mini growlers” and most of them should have a pretty good supply. “There’s a sizeable amount of these. We expect to sell about 150 [mini growlers] of each” says Hoops. Ticket sales are limited for these growlers and will begin on Sunday, February 14th at 10:00 AM.

The lineup looks incredible with one of the highlights being the Trois Vie Series. There are a total of four in the series, all of which spent time in French oak Pinot Noir barrels that had also stored Kentucky bourbon in them. Hence the name “Trois Vie”, or “Barrels with Three Lives.” The grouping includes a Belgian Style Tripel, a Belgian Style Quadrupel, a Barleywine, and an Imperial Stout. All of these will be released on Monday, February 15th.

When should you enjoy these beers? “These beers are aged properly and people should drink them within reasonable time” says Hoops. “Drink them with your friends.”

Great advice from a wise man.

5 p.m., Monday, February 15
• Trois Vie Series — “Barrels with Three Lives”: French oak barrels first housed in California Pinot Noir, then Kentucky bourbon, and finally Town Hall beers.
• No.1 : Belgian Style Tripel
• No. 2: Belgian Style Quadrupel
• No. 3: Barleywine
• No. 4: Imperial Stout

5 p.m., Tuesday, February 16
• Foolish Angel — Belgian Style Quadrupel aged in both Blanton’s and Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels.
• Cuvee of Consequence — Belgian Style Strong Saison aged in California Chardonnay barrels, then finished with a touch ofbitter orange peel.

5 p.m., Wednesday, February 17
• Manhattan Reserve — Belgian Style Grand Cru with red tart cherries, aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbonbarrels.
• E.T. Wee — Scottish Style Wee Heavy aged in Elmer T. Lee Bourbon barrels.

5 p.m., Thursday, February 18
• Project 3106 — Belgian Style Bruin aged with Belgian chocolate and kumquats in Four Roses Bourbonbarrels.
• Buffalo Bock — German Style Weizenbock aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels.

5 p.m., Friday, February 19
• Maple Brownstone — American Style Double Brown with Town Hall’s brewmaster’s own maple syrup, agedin Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey barrels.

11 a.m., Saturday, February 20
• Twisted Trace — Barleywine aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels.

Cheers!

A First Look at Star Keller

By on February 8, 2016in August Schell Brewing Co., beer travels, cooking & food, general beer, grand opening, history, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer, tap rooms

one

New Ulm is a charming city, one that seems almost lost in simpler times. The city is home to one of the most respected breweries in the country, one that has survived the Dakota War of 1862, the Civil War, Prohibition, and The Great Depression. In fact, Schell’s is the second oldest family owned brewery (D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest) in the country.

But if you think that Schell’s is stuck in that time period, think again. Jace Marti (who is next in line to run the brewery) has his eyes set on opening an all sour brewery and taproom on the north side of town that he will call Star Keller. This will be the first all sour brewery and taproom in the state of Minnesota and let me tell you, it’s beautiful. It’s every bit steampunk and like nothing you’ve seen even up here in the cities. “Everything in this brewery is from the original brewery” says Jace.

two

This includes a boiler from 1885, the original copper kettle for the base of the bar, ten cypress tanks, picnic boxes that make up the bar top, some old wooden ladders, a wall of weathered tin, some old taxidermy, and much, much more. Those cypress tanks along with all the fittings cost the brewery $3,437 eighty years ago this coming May. Which by the way is the target opening date. “We’re aiming for a May 1st opening which marks the 80th anniversary of those tanks” he says. Oh and that tin that adds a ton of character to the space, that was given to the Marti’s as a gift from the family of one of their barrel coopers from back in the day. Literally everything in this new space has a story.

six

This brewery and taproom will serve sours exclusively made at the brewery. This lineup will be diverse and there will be 8 beers on at any given time. “We want to have a core lineup eventually” says Marti. “We’ll put tanks on a two year cycle for blending.”

seven

Yes, you read that right. Expect to see some Lambic and Flanders styles to go along with all of those excellent Berliner Weiss brews they’ve been putting out in the Noble Star Series. The taproom itself will have a capacity of 40-50 people. There is also a kitchen in the taproom where Jace hopes that local chefs will be able to play with the flavors in his funky brews and help to create a “local” experience. One thing is certain, this place is going to be a hit and will be well worth the trip for those of us up here in the city.

May can’t get here soon enough….

Cheers!

Sociable Cider Werks and The Curious Goat Offer Unique Valentine’s Day Experience

By on February 7, 2016in beer dinners, beer events, cask beer, cooking & food, food pairing, general beer, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, tap rooms

sociable

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be boring. If you want a unique experience, you may want to pick up tickets for the Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sociable Cider Werks. For $45 a person, you will experience a three course dinner prepared by the talented folks at The Curious Goat.

Each course will be paired with a special cider and the setting will be special in that you will be sitting back by the tanks in the cellar room. The menu looks superb and it finishes with a drool inducing chocolate cake with rum almond creme fraiche and chestnuts—paired with a cherry vanilla cask cider. Check out the menu below and grab your tickets here.

Course One:
Seared cheese curds and salami salad paired with single hop speciality Hop-A-Wheelie
Course Two:
Braised short rib with creamy polenta, fingerling potatoes and crispy leeks paired with Fat Bike Mulled Apple
Course Three:
Chocolate cake with rum almond creme fraiche and chestnuts paired with Cherry Vanilla Spoke Wrench Cask

Cheers!

Fulton and Republic Team Up For Valentine’s Day

By on February 4, 2016in bars/restaurants, beer dinners, beer events, food pairing, Fulton Brewing Co., general beer, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, Republic
Fulton Brewing Co.

 

fultonbadge

If you’re still looking to make Valentine’s Day plans you may want to consider heading over to Republic Seven Corners for their beer pairing dinner with Fulton. This will be the fourth consecutive year that they’ve teamed up and at $35 a person, it’s pretty reasonable. The dinner will take place on Sunday, February 14th from 5 PM until 10 PM. You’ll want to make your reservations by either calling 612-338-6146 or hit them with an email at republicoperations@gmail.com. Check out the menu below.

Lonely Blonde – amuse bouche
Apple Brie Gougère

300 IPA – 1st course
Charred Brussells Sprouts buttery potato fondue, citron verjus
or
Sea Scallop mango salsa, basil-mint granita

Worthy Adversary Russian Imperial Stout – 2nd course
Portobello Mole black beans, rice, avocado
Or
Coffee Marinated Flank Steak smoked baby potatoes, chimichurri

Patience Barleywine – 3rd course
Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding malted-vanilla bean crema
Or
Barleywine Cake butterscotch, poached pear, almond crumble

Cheers!