Author: ryan

Ryan Anderson (that's me!) is the editor & founder of MNBeer. Much has changed since the fall of 2005 and I'm proud to have been a part of it all. Sometime I'll tell you about my grand theory that links craft brewing to punk rock. Just ask.

Summit Union Series: Southern Cape Sparkling Ale

By on June 19, 2014in breweries

bottleLGTonight! Head over to The Park Tavern in St. Louis Park for the release of the third beer in Summit’s Union Series, Southern Cape Sparkling Ale.  Come meet the brewer and sample the latest in the Union Series – perfect for a rainy evening. 5-8pm.

Union #3 Southern Cape Sparkling Ale Details:

“Presenting Southern Cape Sparkling Ale, the latest in the limited-release Summit Union Series. Inspired by sparkling ales popular in the Southern hemisphere. Named after the Southern Cape hop farms in South Africa. With ingredients from Australia, New Zealand, Chile and South Africa for a refreshingly balanced ale that’s perfect for summer.”

Flavor Notes:

Hints of pineapple and mango hop aroma. Biscuity malts lend a soft, toasted note and rounded finish. Lively carbonation pairs well with a warm summer afternoon.

Specs:

Original Gravity: 10.5° Plato
Alcohol by Volume: 4.4%
Color, (deg. L.): Pale Straw
IBUs: 47
Malts Utilized: Gaidner Pale (Australia) and Sebastian Caramel (Chile)
Hops Utilized: Waimea (New Zealand) and Southern Passion (South Africa)
Yeast: Australian Ale

Off the Rails with Summit

By on June 10, 2014in bars/restaurants, breweries
off the rails

In celebration of the new Green Line, our friends at Summit are throwing down with a pub crawl of mass (transit) proportions. From 4-10pm on Saturday, hop a on board and join them in celebration of the first day of the new Green Line light rail route connecting St. Paul and Minneapolis. You can ride for free on opening day and stop into some of the great bars and restaurants that dealt with the woes of light-rail constuction over the course of the past few years.

The open format crawl runs from 4-10pm. Start in St. Paul or Minneapolis and meet in the middle at The Dubliner at 10pm. Every pub stop along the way will feature $4 Summits, with a diverse selection of locations. Participants can join in at any pub, at any point in the evening. All light rail stops are within walking distance of the pubs. The light rail stations include:
St. Paul
Union Depot Station – Barrio, Bulldog, Kelly’s Depot, Bedlam, Golden’s Deli, Tanpopo, Black Dog, Minnesota Saloon
Western Ave Station – Mai Village
Victoria St Station – Ngon Vietnamese Bistro
Raymond Ave Station – The Dubliner Pub
Minneapolis
Warehouse District Station – Gluek’s, The Loon, Kieran’s Irish Pub
Nicollet Mall Station – Lyon’s Pub
Government Plaza Station – Di’Noko’s Bar Zia
Downtown East/Metrodome Station – Grumpy’s, Crooked Pint
West Bank Station – Corner Bar
East Bank Station – Big 10, Applebee’s, Stub & Herb’s
Stadium Village Station – The Hole Sports Lounge
Participants are encouraged to tweet a picture of themselves on the crawl with a Summit in hand to be entered to win Summit gear or beer. #OffTheRails

Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival

By on June 2, 2014in beer events, breweries, brewpubs

BeerShot

Would you like to get away this summer? If you’re like me, I’m ready to shake loose of the city and head north for some great beer with fun people in a super-relaxed environment. Here’s one option – the Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival at Caribou Highlands in Lutsen, July 11-13th. Minnesota’s northernmost beer festival (92 miles north of Duluth) is almost more of a retreat than your regular festival, complete with time at a nice resort, plenty of facetime with brewers and some awesome food. As an example, the menu for the opening reception ncludes Stout Drenched Oysters, Rosemary-Kölsch Shrimp Skewers, and Hefeweizen Banana Bread among other things. The brewer’s breakfast is impressive as well: Duck Sausage Frittata, Brewer’s Bloody Mary bar…

Breweries include: Surly, Boathouse, Fitger’s Brewhouse, Minneapolis Town Hall, Summit, Schell’s, Lake Superior, St. Croix, Castle Danger, Carmody, Third Street, Bent Paddle, South Shore and Bell’s.

Event packages range from full packages with lodging to one-day beer garden packages. Details below:

Full Barrel

  • 2-Nights Lodging
  • 6-Pack Sampler
  • Main Beer Garden Admission + 2 Food Tickets
  • Brewer’s Reception with Special Brews + Hors d’ oeuvres
  • Saturday Morning Bloody Mary Breakfast
  • $234/person for 2 in the Lodge
  • $211/person for 4 in a Villager
  • $192/person for 6 in a Poplar Town Home

Half Barrel

  • 2-Nights Lodging
  • 6-Pack Sampler
  • Main Beer Garden Admission + 2 Food Tickets
  • $180/person for 2 in the Lodge
  • $158/person for 4 in a Villager
  • $142/person for 6 in a Poplar Town Home

Call: 1-800-642-6036

 

Beer Garden Only

  • Flavorful Pours
  • Music by Fresh Hops
  • Regional Brewers
  • Regional Beers
  • On Lutsen Mountains overlooking Lake Superior
  • Local shuttles from Grand Marais to Schroeder
  • VIP includes 2 food tickets: $38/Person $45 at the Door
  • Standard: $27/Person $35 at the Door
  • (Beer Garden tickets are not necessary for those purchasing a weekend package)

Click here for Beer Garden Tickets

Brews & Canoes

By on May 21, 2014in breweries

Brews and Canoes FinalFriends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (FBWW) is holding a cool little event –  Brews and Canoes — a craft beer competition celebrating Minnesota’s outdoors and the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. FBWW is taking submissions from Minnesota craft brewers that “capture the spirit of the Minnesota wilderness and honor an historic piece of legislation that has protected one of our state’s natural treasures, the Boundary Waters, for the past 50 years.”

A panel of celebrity judges will name champion beers in categories including:

  • Best Northern Lights (Light-bodied, light-colored beers including but not limited to lagers, pilsners)
  • Best Night Skies (Heavy-bodied, dark-colored beers including but not limited to ales and stouts)
  • Most pioneering brew (Local, interesting ingredients and flavor profiles)
  • Best representation of the Spirit of the Boundary Waters (Name, label design, back story)
  • Star of the North (Best in show)

“We are excited to see and taste how Minnesota’s best breweries capture the spirit of the Minnesota outdoors,” said Paul Danicic, executive director, FBWW. “Brews and Canoes is an easy and fun way for Minnesotans to learn more about the Wilderness Act and take an active role in helping preserve the Boundary Waters for future generations. We hope breweries and outdoor lovers across the state will join us in raising a glass and commemorating this historic anniversary.”

Interested in participating? Visit www.friends-bwca.org/programs/brewsandcanoes for more program information and a Brews and Canoes entry form. The entry period is open until June 2 and beers must be submitted for judging by August 1.

FBWW and its brewery partners will cap off Brews & Canoes at a ticketed tasting event in early September. The event will feature samples of the full commemorative collection.

 

 

Tin Whiskers Soft Opening Tonight

By on May 16, 2014in breweries

photo4Need another notch in your Minnesota craft brewery belt? Tin Whiskers is opening their taproom today starting at 3pm. Head over to 125 E. 9th St. in Saint Paul to see just what these three electrical engineers-turned brewers are up to.

“After so long it is crazy to think we will sell our first pint this Friday,” says George Kellerman, 1⁄3 founder of Tin Whiskers. “The taproom atmosphere turned out exactly how we wanted, and the brewers did a great job on the beer. This weekend they’ll showcase a few of their beers including “Alpha” and “Beta” versions of recipes. The full beer line­up will come later at the official Grand Opening event, date yet to be announced.
This weekend the brewery will offer three beers, including:

Beta Batch (carbonated and nitro options): A full­bodied and roasty stout with a lingering sweet aftertaste and notes of chocolate.

Wheatstone Bridge Beta Version: A crisp and refreshing american style wheat beer with distinct flavors of honey and chamomile tea.

Flip Switch IPA Beta Version: An American pale ale with a deep citrus aroma, malty backbone, and a relaxed bitterness.
After the soft launch on Friday, May 14, the brewery will remain open with the hours of: Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. ­ 11:00 p.m. Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. ­ 11:00 p.m. Fridays from 3:00 p.m. ­ 11:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. ­ 11:00 p.m.

Read our Tin Whiskers profile from late April.