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.

Friday 5ive

By on October 3, 2014in Friday 5ive

Let’s give this a whirl… Long before I was a fan of great local beer, I loved music. From the very first item in my collection (Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” cassette) to the last, I’ve had a deep connection with music. Throughout the 90s I found myself at various venues in Fargo, ND and the Twin Cities catching live acts, typically of the punk/indie persuasion. From my very first show in Fargo, ND (probably godheadSilo) to some of the more memorable ones (Propagandhi at The Whole, Fugazi & Green Day ($4 tickets!) at First Avenue, Trail of Dead at the Triple Rock) I’ve always had a blast. Long before I was writing about beer releases and my favorite sour beer, I was a zine publisher – first print and later online.

In a lot of ways, the beer scene (right now, anyway) is a lot like the independent music scene. So why not take a little time each week and share some of my new and old favorites. I’m not quite sure how this will shape up, but let’s give it a tray, shall we? This week I’m going to curate some random favorites from Minnesota. Check it out!


Class of 86. These guys originally hail from my hometown of Fergus Falls. Punk rock with nice chops. I happen to know that none of these guys graduated in 86.


Hammerhead, Tuffskins… from their first album, “Ethereal Killer.” In the early 90s I caught this band no less than a million times, so it was refreshing to see them pop back onto the scene as of late. Crank it & lock your doors.


Sean Na Na, Princess and Pony. (Live version here.) Shall we slow it down a bit? Previous to playing as Har Mar Superstar, Sean Tillman played as Sean Na Na. Suffice to say the dude can pen a song. I interviewed him for Yahtzeen back in the day. At the time, the Har Mar act was just getting started, and Tillman lovingly referred to Har Mar as his brother (cousin?), Harold.


Cleveland Bound Death Sentence – Mpls. Transit Song #2. Three Minnesota and a long-time traveling zinester, Aaron Cometbus. If it sounds a bit like Dillinger 4, it’s because your favorite bartender grabbed the microphone. Enjoy!


Husker Du, Something I Learned Today. Do I even need to say anything?

New Brewery Roll Call – Gull Dam Brewing & Maple Island

By on September 30, 2014in breweries, Gull Dam Brewing

The title of “newest brewery in Minnesota” is once again in another breweries’ happly little hands. We’re happy to see that not one, but two new breweries (maybe more?) open or have scheduled grand openings.

First, Stillwater’s Maple Island Brewing Co. opened the other day. They’ll be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 5-10pm and Friday through Sunday from noon to 10pm. See below for a list of draft offerings.

Maple Island Brewing Co.
225 Main Street North
Stillwater MN 55082 (map)

Secondly, Nisswa’s Gull Dam Brewery has announced a grand opening for October 11th from noon to 11pm. They’ll launch with four beers, music from Lamont Cranston and Jolly Zuk Brothers and other fun.

Gull Dam Brewing, Inc.
23826 Smiley Road
Nisswa, MN 56468 (map)

Maple Island Brewing (Facebook)

Maple Island Brewing (Facebook)

Photo: Gull Dam Brewing

Photo: Gull Dam Brewing

Maple Island Brewing Draft Offerings:
Mosaic Wheat – IBU 29
This cloudy piece of art is made with an ample amount of white wheat giving it that great dirty blonde look. It is also given a nice size dose of those mosaic hops everybody loves.

Burlesque Kolsch – IBU 19
This super easy drinking Kolsch has a bit of Canadian honey malt and low bitterness to it so have another my brother from another mother and my sister from another mister.

Bearded Lady IPA – IBU 56
This crazy IPA has it all with pale and crystal malts, flaked maize and Belgian Candi sugar. It is nicely hopped with Simcoe hops giving it unique passionfruit, pine, earth, and citrus characteristics.

Dragons Breath Kolsch – IBU 30
Yes we love our Kolsch beer! This one has a special blend of 3 German hops. It is also has extra flavor from the addition of Munich malt and Caramel Wheat malts. Fire it up Dragon Slayer.

Cup of Joe Freak Show – IBU 12
Invented by the Head Brewer Nic Brau and his son Joe Brau (9 years old at the time) also named by his son Joe. This coffee oatmeal stout has it all! Chug it anytime of day or night with its creaminess of oats, smooth cold pressed coffee and a hint of vanilla.

Peel Me Wit – IBU 12
Ahhhhhh, time to bring back summer with this super fresh wheat beer that collided with crazy flavors of orange, lemon, and coriander.

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Gull Dam Opening Info:

Join Us – Doors open at Noon til 11pm.

Tours: Tour our 4,800 square foot Gull Dam brewery and taproom that spills out back.

Gull Dam Beer: Taste our 4 Inagural Gull Dam Beers that Brewmaster Luke Steadman “Brew Man Luke” has crafted.
-Honey wheat; an American amber ale; a Scotch ale with maple syrup; and an IPA with freshly harvested hops from Brainerd. For now, you can only taste them in our taproom.

Gull Dam Music:
1-5pm Jolly Zuk – Rip Roaring Polka
7-10:30pm Lamont Cranston – Great Classic 70’s-80’s R&B.
Get your Groove on!

Gull Dam More: Food Trucks, Great Gull Dam Merchandise, Great Friends, Great Times and Exceptional Craft Beer

Surly Devil’s Work Porter

By on September 29, 2014in bars/restaurants, Surly Brewing Co.

On Wednesday at the Triple Rock Social Club, Surly Brewing Co. debuts a new draft-only beer, The Devil’s Work Porter in honor of the UK’s Uncle Acid and the deadbeats who play their first ever show in Minnesota that evening.
The Devil’s Work is a robust Porter brewed with blackstrap molasses, star anise and dry hopped with Sterling hops. The dark ale has flavors of black licorice, blackened malt and spicy-floral hop aroma.
uncle acid

Fargo Brewing Expanding into The Twin Cities & SE MN

By on September 24, 2014in breweries, Fargo Brewing Co., pr

Fargo-BrewingHot off the presses, Fargo Brewing Co. is expanding into the Twin Cities this week with the help of Hohenstein’s as a distribution partner. If you’ve yet to check them out, here’s your chance!

Fargo Brewing Company Expands to Minneapolis/St. Paul and Southeastern Minnesota

Fargo Brewing Company will extend its reach into Minnesota through a distribution partnership with Hohenstein’s, Inc. of Woodbury, Minnesota. A September 25-27 launch is planned for the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro. Fargo Brewing Company currently offers its products at locations across North Dakota and in select markets in Minnesota including Duluth, St. Cloud, Brainerd and throughout central Minnesota.
“We are very excited to partner with Hohenstein’s to bring Fargo Brewing products to the Twin Cities metro area,” said Fargo Brewing Company co-founder Aaron Hill. “They have an outstanding reputation in the market and we feel confident they will represent us well.”
Hohenstein’s will distribute cans of Fargo Brewing Company’s year-round beers, including Wood Chipper India Pale Ale, Stone’s Throw Scottish Ale, as well as Sodbuster Porter and Iron Horse American Pale Ale. A launch of the brewery’s tap beer offerings, including the four year-round beers and several seasonal brews, will follow later this year or early next year. In addition to the metro, Hohenstein’s will distribute Fargo Brewing products to communities in the southeastern portion of the state, including Rochester, Red Wing and Winona

Craft beer fans in the Twin Cities will have a chance to sample Fargo Brewing Company’s beer line-up at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s Autumn Brew Review on Saturday, September 27 from 1-5 p.m. Additional public events will follow in October.
“Minneapolis/St. Paul is one of the top craft beer markets in the country,” said Hill. “And we look forward to having our products next to some of the best in the country.”

Fargo Brewing Company, established in 2010, moved production to its downtown Fargo production brewery and taproom in the summer of 2013. It has since doubled production in order to meet demand for its products across the Upper Midwest.
Learn more about upcoming Fargo Brewing Company Events:

On The Website: fargobrewing.com/events On Twitter: @FargoBrewing On Facebook: facebook.com/fargobrewing