The day is finally here. Our friends from the Minnesota brewpub, Barley John’s, are holding the grand opening of their New Richmond, Wisconsin brewery and tap room this Saturday, October 24th starting at 1pm. The flyer says it all, so look for beer specials, a pig roast, live music and more fun. Best of luck to Barley John’s.
Since the first Darkness Day back in 2007, the event has literally blown up into something bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. On Saturday you can join thousands of beer fans at Surly Brewing Co.’s Brooklyn Center brewery for your chance to get your mitts on bottles of this year’s Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout.
In 2007, hearty folks waited in line at the brewery starting around 6am. This year (and most other years, for that matter), beer nerds can begin lining up at dusk on Friday evening. The first 1,500 people in line will get a wristband that will allow said wristband-ee to purchase two different variations of Darkness – the original Russian Imperial Stout as well as a barrel-aged version. The wrist band will allow you to buy up to six bottles of “regular” Darkness and one bottle of Barrel-Aged Darkness (Further referred to as “Dorkness,” in this article.) Dorkness has been swimming in High West Rye Whiskey Barrels and is now ready to find its way to your cellar (or gullet). Dork.
Darkness day is from 11am to 5:30pm. When the gates of the brewery are opened, fan are welcome to join in on the festivities of the day with 13 Surly beers on tap, lots of metal, food and more.
If you can’t make it out to Darkness Day or simply aren’t into crowds, rest assured that Darkness bottles will be hitting the shelves in Minnesota starting next week and Dorkness bottles will follow in early December. And if you’re unfortunate enough to live in Iowa, Wisconsin or Chicago, you’ll still be able to find bottles of both versions of Darkness in early December.
True to form, the fine folks at Stub & Herb’s have promised to play host to a “Darkness Eve” celebration at the bar this Friday starting at 7pm. They’ve assembled a variety of dark and spooky beers for your imbibing pleasures. See below for the complete tap list.
Our friends at Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery are celebrating their 18th birthday next week with a variety of beer releases and events. Thirsty fans who stop in four days next week will be entered to win a coveted Pint Club membership. There’s something for every fan of the 7 Corners brewpub, including an Anniversary Ale, Mango Mama, barrel aged beers, Three Hour Tour and more. See the complete schedule below.
Fun weekend ahead. Here’s another option for you. This Saturday and Sunday (noon-10pm and noon-8pm respectively), the folks from Indeed will be throwing down with their annual harvest hoe-down. They have two days full of beer, bands and great food with the likes of Yamma Jamma Harvest Ale, the Hullabaloo cask wagon, and the release of 2015 Rum King!
Blue Door Pub is providing the grub, First Avenue, is putting together the music and Indeed is making all of the beery goodness happen.
Music line-up:
12:30 – TYTE JEFF
1:30 – RED DAUGHTERS
2:30 – WHAT TYRANTS
3:30 – FRANKIE TEARDROP
4:30 – SHADOW IN THE CRACKS
5:30 – FURY THINGS
6:30 – KITTEN FOREVER
7:15 – THE MIGHTY MOFOS
8:30 – APPETITE FOR ZACCARDI
1:00 – STEVE PALMER
2:00 – MATT LATTERALL
3:00 – GABE BARNETT & THE BIG HOUSE ROUNDERS
4:00 – MIKE GUNTHER
5:00 – THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS DUO