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.

Bent Paddle Cold Press Black

Photo lifted from Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Photo lifted from Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

The first time I tasted the Cold Press variation of Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s black ale, I knew I had to have some more. Apparently I wasn’t the only one. Bent Paddle’s Bryon Tonnis says it’s been one of their most requested special offerings, “People really wanted to see this beer in cans from the first time we made it – so we did!”

Amen.

“The concept for this beer really started out as a way to vary our initial taproom offerings. When we opened a year and a half ago, we had two beers on tap and this was a way for us to explore the Black Ale recipe we had developed while offering our customers something new.” says Colin Mullen. Cold Press Black follows the same base beer recipe as Bent Paddle Black, but is infused with Duluth Coffee Company Cold Press just prior to packaging.

You should start to see Cold Press Black starting next week in 4-pack cans and in kegs.

Stats:
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.0%
IBU: 35
Style: Coffee Infused Black Ale
Malts: Pale, 2-Row, Golden Promise, De-husked Black Malt, Flaked Oats, C-165, C-20
Hops: CTZ, Willamette
Yeast: House Ale Strain

Waconia Brewing Taproom Opens Today at 2pm

waconiabrewinglogo250x250nobackToday we add another brewery to the ranks! Beer fans, let’s give a warm welcome to Waconia Brewing Company located in (get this!) Waconia, MN. Today at 2pm, Waconia will be the first brewery to open its doors in the town since 1890. If you’re free, stop by ant welcome them to the scene. They’ll have their Carver Co. Kolsch, 90K IPA, 255 Amber Ale and a Wit ready for your imbibing pleasure!

Waconia Brewing Company will be open from 2-9pm tonight. Normal taproom hours are 2-9pm on Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10pm on Friday and Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday.

Waconia Brewing Company
255 Main Street West 

Waconia, MN, USA

Wild Game and Brewer’s Feast at Grand Superior Lodge

lildgameDrop everything. The colorful palette of the north is calling your name… and your belly. Jump in the car (make a reservation first!) and head north to Grand Superior Lodge for some fine imbibing and delicious wild game. Oh, and the colors aren’t bad this time of year, either.

Whether you choose to stay the entire weekend and take part in the special Friday-night reception with chef-driven appetizers and wonderful Castle Danger beers or whether opt for the Saturday only wild game dinner and South SHore Brewery beers, you’re going to have a good time. Promise.  Weekend long packages start at at $127.25/person for the weekend, which strikes me as really reasonable given everything you get out of it.  More details below…

Reservations required: 800-627-9565

Friday 5ive: MNBeer Musicians

I’m coming off of a looooong Thursday and Friday setting up an event for my day gig, so we’ll keep this brief. My original intention was to throw together a craft beer supergroup, but I just wasn’t happy with how it was coming together, so instead, I give you music (past and present) from 5ive folks involved in the Minnesota craft beer world. There are quite a few options… here are a few… see what you think…

When Something Fails – Garth Blomberg. He played a graphic designer at Northern Brewer on TV.


Kruddler – Tony Zaccardi. Your favorite bartender from Grumpy’s NE.


Dillinger 4. Erik owns the Triple Rock Social Club, and there’s a good chance that Paddy and/or Billy has poured you a drink at Grumpy’s or the Triple Rock or Muddy Waters… or…

Powermad – Todd Haug. Have you ever seen the Surly brewmaster without a beard? Here’s your chance.


The Gleam – Ben Smith. Another Surly fellow, another music genre. Ben played drums with The Gleam.