Author: Eric

Eric was one of a few contributors who jumped on board when the site was in its infancy.

Clearance at Thomas Liquors, Fitty’s First Friday

By on July 1, 2010in beer events, beer stores, free beer

Who’s drinking some big beers right now? Not me, that’s who. But if you have some room in your cellar, you should head to Thomas Liquors in St. Paul. They’re clearing space for all the new beer rolling in (and of course the hefes, saisons, helles and pilsners that we can’t get enough of when its 85 and sunny), and have dropped the prices on a couple goodies:

  • Founders KBS $13.99/4pk
  • Great Div. Hibernation Ale $7.99/6pk
  • Mad River Serious Madness $6.99/4pk
  • And I’m told there may be a few bottles of ’10 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine laying around for cheap.

Don’t forget to head to the store tomorrow afternoon for Fitty’s First Friday. Odell’s will be sampled at the bar starting at 4pm.

Finally, if you haven’t bought your tickets for the Beer Dabbler on Sat., July17, pick  up one (or 10) while you’re there. Thomas is an official retailer for the event.

‘CCO’s Top 10 MN Beers

By on June 30, 2010in general beer

Nice little ditty at wcco.com swooning about the top 10 Minnesota beers favored by author Cole Premo. He admits the list is subjective and far from complete, but its a good conversation starter.

In no particular order, he suggests:

  • Summit EPA
  • Surly Furious
  • Brau Bros Ring Neck Braun Ale
  • Mantorville Smoked Porter
  • Grainbelt Premium
  • Lift Bridge Farm Girl
  • Lake Superior Oatmeal Stout
  • Flat Earth Angry Planet Pale Ale
  • Cold Spring John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale
  • Finnegans Irish Amber

Read the full story here, and leave your own suggestions.

Surly Ultimate Team Headed to World Championships

By on June 30, 2010in breweries

Ok, it’s not exactly beer related, but c’mon, this is friggin cool!

The Surly Ultimate Frisbee team is one of 3 US teams to be playing in the Masters tournament at the World Ultimate Club Championships starting this weekend in Prague, and has games Sunday and Monday. More info, including how to watch on-line, is available here.

Go get ’em, Surly!

Darkness Eve @ Stub and Herb’s

By on June 28, 2010in bars/restaurants, beer events

Yeah, yeah, it’s another event still four months away, but you better get it on your calendar now.

Seeing that Darkness Day was just announced, naturally, Jon over at Stub and Herb’s announced his tentative plans for the 3rd Annual Darkness Eve Party and Beer Swap.

From BeerAdvocate:

It has been announced that Surly Brewing will be doing their yearly release of Darkness on 10-23-10. That means that 10-22 is the 3rd annual Darkness Eve at Stub and Herb’s!

October 22 at 8pm sharp we will welcome in a most “Unhappy Hour.” Alll 32 of our drafts at Stub’s will be switched to allow you a chance to try some of the best big beers available in MN. Here is a small sample of what we will tap that night (updated Oct 19):

Avery Czar
Avery Mephostopheles
Grand Teton Whiskey Barrel-Aged Double Vision Dobblebock (Nitro)
New Holland Envious Ale
Left Hand Oak Aged Widdershins
Weyerbacher 15
Odell Bourbon Barrel Stout
Bell’s Expedition Stout
Dark Horse Barrel-Aged Plead the Fifth
Deschutes Jubel 2010
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (2008 & 2009)
Goose Island Nightstalker
Goose Island Barrel-Aged Naughty Brown Goose
Sprecher Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Great Divide Chocolate Oak-Aged Yeti
North Coast Old Rasputin (Nitro)
Sierra Nevada Anniversary Fritz and Ken’s
Founders Imperial Stout
Founders KBS
2008 Flying Dog Barrel-Aged Gonzo Porter
Dogfish/Sierra Life and Limb
Tyranena Dirty Old Man
Rogue John John Hazelnut

From Surly Brewing:
Furious
Bender
Coffee Bender
Cynic
Surlyfest
Wet
Four
Bitter Brewer

And, the special Midnight tapping is expected to be a firkin of 2010 Oak-Aged Surly Darkness.

That is all you get to know about for now. However, I have quite a few more goodies in my cooler to make that night special.

We are looking to make this event bigger than ever! Make plans to join us for live music, prizes, fun and some really big beers! See you then!

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter page for more info.