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.

MACCD Daddy: Summit & Karben4 Collaboration Project

By on April 23, 2014in breweries, video

maccccc.daddyyyy

Our friends at Summit embarked on their first collaborative journey earlier this month. They joined Karben4 Brewing in Madison, WI to brew a hoppy red session ale specifically for Madison Craft Beer Week. Should you find yourself in Madision on May 4th, it will be released at at Merchant restraurant and bar with a 90s themed dance party!

You’ll also find MACCC Daddy at several other bars that week: The Up North Bar, Coopers’ Tavern, Brasserie V, The Free House Pub, Brickhouse BBQ, Gates & Brovi, The Malt House, Dexter’s Pub, The Red Zone, Tipsy Cow, Star Bar, Natt Spil, Mickey’s, 1885 Saloon & Grill, Graze, D Lux, Maduro, Brocah Irish Pub Monroe St.

Here’s a video with Mike Lundell from Summit and Ryan Koga from Karben4 sharing details on MACCC Daddy’s inspiration and process.

Sunday Growler Sales

By on April 18, 2014in beer laws

brewhousegrowlerIf you haven’t already heard, there’s a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would allow breweries to sell growlers on Sunday. It’s a small step – it’s not full-blown Sunday sales, but it would at least put Minnesota breweries on the same level as Minnesota farm wineries, who are allowed to sell their products on Sunday.

It makes sense, right? When I head up north on vacation every summer, I think nothing of stopping into Forestedge Winery in Laporte to grab a bottle on a Sunday. Shouldn’t the brewery down the road in Walker (Leech Lake) be allowed to sell me a growler on Sunday as well? Nobody opposes this, right?

Wrong. Apparently there’s a group working behind the scenes to squash this legislation, allegedly due to potential contract re-negotiations. Which have what to do with growler sales exactly? http://www.startribune.com/local/255429551.html

It doesn’t matter, does it? Please take a few minutes to call or email your state representatives and let them know that you support Sunday Growler Sales!

http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts

 

Surly Schadenfreude Release Today

By on April 18, 2014in general beer

schadenfreude2Here’s some last minute release info for Surly Schadenfreude, their seasonal Munich Dunkel Lager. Thirsty? Old Chicago Dulutn as well as several Twin Cities locations will have Schadenfreude on tap in just a few short hours, starting at 3pm on Friday, April 18th.

Old Chicago Roseville • Old Chicago Blaine • Old Chicago Eden Prairie
Old Chicago Apple Valley • Old Chicago Eagan  • Old Chicago Plymouth
Old Chicago Duluth

About Schadenfreude:
Schadenfreude is a German word for shameful joy, taking pleasure in the suffering of others. Utilizing German Munich, Vienna and Caramunich malts, this dark (Dunkel) lager has rich bread and toffee flavors balanced by a soft bitterness. Additional aging on toasted Minnesota oak makes Schadenfreude a one of a kind Dunkel.

Town Hall Barrel Aged Week

By on April 14, 2014in brewpubs
baw

Buffalo Bock, Jack Frost, Manhattan Reserve

Today marks the beginning of Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery’s Barrel Aged Week. I highly recommend that you stop in at least one night and enjoy some of Town Hall’s barrel-aged goodness. You won’t be disappointed. I joined a small group of bloggers & journalists for a taste of three of the beers on Friday and was duly impressed.

I sampled Buffalo Bock (a weizenbock aged in Buffalo Trace barrels), Jack Frost (an imperial stout aged in Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey barrels) and Manhattan Reserve (a Belgian style Grand Cru aged with tart red cherries and finished in Woodford Reserve barrels.) Manhatten Reserve was my favorite of the lot. This doesn’t really come as much of a surprise – I love Town Hall’s Grand Cru and those Hoops brothers know their cherries. This was a delicious blend of fruity esters, tartness from the cherries and just enough wood to get bourbon characteristics without banging you over the head with a stave.

If you haven’t stopped into Town Hall yet, do yourself a favor and check out the new space and decor. After four months of absence, it was nice to walk through the door and see some familiar faces, and taste some of Town Hall’s signature beers. I can’t wait to go back again.

Barrel Aged Week Details:

Monday 4/14
Twisted Trace- Town Hall’s Twisted Reality Barley Wine aged in Buffalo Trace Oak Barrels. Recipient of 2013 Great American Beer Fest Silver medal honors Denver, CO

Tuesday 4/15 5 pm Release​
Eye Wine -Town Hall’s Eye of the Storm Honey ale aged in Gambling McDuck French Oak Cab Franc Wine Barrel from Napa, CA

Wednesday  4/16 5 pm Release
Manhattan Reserve – Town Hall’s Belgian style Grand Cru aged with tart red cherries and finished in Woodford Reserve Barrels

Thursday 4/17 5 pm Release
Buffalo Bock- Town Hall’s Weizenbock aged in Buffalo Trace Barrels

Friday 4/18 5 pm Release
Big #7 – Town Hall’s Strong Belgian Bruin Aged in Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey Barrels

Friday 4/18 5 pm Release
Project 3106- Town Hall’s Strong Belgian Aged with Belgian Chocolate, kumquat, and finished in a Buffalo Trace Barrel

Saturday 4/19 **1pm Release**
Czar Jack- Town Hall’s Jack Frost Imperial Stout aged in Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey Barrels

Saturday 4/19 **5pm Release**
Double Barrel Aged Jack Frost- Town Hall’s Jack Frost Imperial Stout aged in Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Barrel then aged in French Oak Red Wine Barrel

All Pints North Tickets on Sale Monday

By on April 11, 2014in breweries, brewpubs
all pints north

allpintssmAll Pints North tickets go on sale on Monday at Noon. In case you’re unfamiliar with the festival, this festival is put on by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild in Duluth. And to be honest, it’s my favorite Guild festival. There’s something about the enthusiasm in the air – though very different, it reminds me a bit of Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison.

Now in its 3rd year, All Pints North promises to be another fun time on the edge of Lake Superior.Last year the event sold out, so you may want to get tickets and book a hotel today!

Tempotickets.com/apn

all pints north