While one shouldn’t anticipate craft beer an event where challenges include “alcohol tolerance” and offers a $10 all-you-can-drink option for spectators, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to watch (or participate in) another of the challenges, “ride a kiddie trike.” Teams of five can sign up or if you want to participate but can’t convince any of your buddies to take the plunge, you can sign up as a free agent.
Whiskey Junction
901 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
Another brewery is making the jump over the state line to get their beer into the hands and mouths of thirsty Minnesotans. Millstream Brewery, out of Amana, Iowa has sent their first load of bottles and kegs north (go ahead and air your favorite Iowa-bashing jokes but note that their John’s White Ale did just pick up a Gold Medal in the Witbiers category at the Denver International Beer Competition). Check their website in the coming days to see where you’ll be able to pick it up at.
If you’re unfamiliar with Millstream but are looking for a weekend road trip idea, they have a BrewBQ and the Blues event this coming Saturday, June 4 and a Beer & Brat Festival June 25. Again, check their website for all the details.
If you find yourself with an excess of empty and clean (you can keep the nasty, grungy ones) Vine Park growlers, bring them back for $5 Vine Park Bucks each. While Vine Park Bucks have no cash value they can be used towards the cost of anything they sell, which would include the just-released-yesterday Capital Hill Pilsner.
Dark Knight 2011, Barley John’s double fermented porter is now available. After spending the last year in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels it is likely heaven in a glass. While the strength of this batch has yet to be tested, expect it to be in the 13 – 14% ABV range, and thus the 5.5 oz serving size.
If you find yourself on the other end of town but craving a firkin fix, check out Stanley’s. They’ll be tapping a firkin of oak-aged Forgotten Flem* from Brau Brothers. Plus, a Brau will, “be there talking smart with answers to everything you wanted to know about Lucan but were afraid to ask.”
*Forgotten Flem is a dry, hoppy, fruity Belgian Saison brewed with rye and 50+ IBUs of hoppy goodness.