Category: breweries

A Wave of Flavor from Indeed Brewing

By on September 17, 2018in general beer, Indeed Brewing Co., new beer

Indeed Brewing has never apologized for their love of hops and for the first time ever they are releasing a year-round IPA called Flavorwave. The can looks straight out of an 80s surfer movie and the contents beg for a day at the beach with palm trees underneath blue skies.

First there was Day Tripper, an IPA disguised as an American Pale Ale and one of two flagship beers (Midnight Ryder being the other) released by the brewery back in 2012. Then came their first IPA (a spring seasonal) called Let it Ride which was a big hit among local beer enthusiasts. Let it Roll followed as a fall seasonal (discontinued) and last year Peach Bum IPA debuted as the summer seasonal.

Flavorwave is a rather aromatic IPA with a moderate bitterness that smells of pineapple, guava, and mandarin oranges. Tropical fruits and citrus peel come through in the flavor and the finish is very crisp and clean compared to many IPAs on the market. This would pair well with spicy coconut shrimp over rice and should be a regular offering in your refrigerator.

Overall it’s a fantastic option, especially in the modern age of Milkshake and NE Style IPAs—which are frankly exhausting at this point.

Cheers!

Lift Bridge Brewery Turns Ten

By on August 16, 2018in Lift Bridge

Ten years is a long time in craft beer years. Though Lift Bridge doesn’t pre-date this site, they’ve still been around the proverbial block.  Lift Bridge was one of three breweries to open in 2008. Previous to that, Minnesota saw one new brewery in 2007 and one in 2006. Things have changed a bit, haven’t they? When they launched, they brewed their beer at Jeff Williamson’s Flat Earth location. In 2019, they’ll be brewing at a brand new location in Stillwater.

This weekend you can raise a Farm Girl (or your favorite LB beer) to the fine folks at Lift Bridge in celebration of their 10 Year Anniversary. The bash runs from noon-10pm on August 18th and will include food, music, axe throwing, giant yard games, hammerschlagen and a beer dunk tank, among other things.

Beer Lineup:

  • 93X Brotherhood
  • Crosscut IPA
  • Getaway Pilsner
  • Hop Dish IPA
  • Hazy McHazeface
  • Mango Blonde
  • Barrel Aged Silhouette 2015
  • Barrel Aged Silhouette 2017
  • Commander 17
  • Wee Heavy
  • Farm Girl Saison
  • Irish Coffee Stout
  • Mini Donut Cream Soda
  • Root Beer
  • Minnesota Tan 2015
  • Chardonnay Barrel Aged Farm Girl
  • Okotberfest
  • Mango Slushies
You’ll also want to check out their 10 year twist on Farm Girl. “From the pop of the cork, the bubbly pour, to the effervescent tingle on your tongue, champagne yeast and bottle conditioning make this truly a celebration of our past, present, and future.”
Tickets are $7 on Eventbrite and $10 at the door. Tickets include a beer token or two soda tickets. Kids welcome until 7pm.

St. Paul Summer Beer Fest Saturday

By on June 8, 2018in beer events, breweries, brewpubs

One of our favorite events of the year, the 10th annual St. Paul Summer Beer Fest, takes place Saturday, June 9th from 2-5pm at the MN State Fairgrounds – International Bazaar in St. Paul.

This outdoor craft beer festival features sampling from over 100 breweries in a commemorative tasting glass, live music, tasty food, educational seminars, and a silent auction benefiting the YMCA of St. Paul.

Early Admission is 1pm-5pm, GA is 2pm-5pm. Ticket sales close Saturday at 12pm.

Ticket link: https://tickets.beerfests.com/event/st-paul-summer-beer-fest/tag/spbf18

Festival info: http://www.stpaulsummerbeerfest.com/

Review – Surly HeatSlayer

By on May 22, 2018in beer events, general beer, new beer, Surly Brewing Co.

So much slay coming your way. HeatSlayer, a Kölsch-style ale featured in Surly’s seasonal variety pack, is available now. Surly is even throwing a party for it this Sunday the 27th where, for the price of admission, you can get unlimited food and pours of this new beer. They’re calling it Slay Day.

If that weren’t enough, thrash metal legends Slayer are coming through town this week on their farewell tour. I’ve heard music and beer go well together, so let’s review them both at the same time:

 

Surly HeatSlayer

Kölsch-style ale

ABV – 5.0%

Thursday, May 24 – Slayer @ The Armory in Minneapolis

Sunday, May 27th – Slay Day @ Surly Beer Garden

Aroma: Bready and crisp. Really no indication that Slayer’s been making music for nearly as long as I’ve been alive and this is their final tour.

Appearance: Pours a very light straw color and Tom Araya doesn’t really headbang anymore which is interesting to see. Still, the show will be worth it; I hear the Armory is a great venue and Gary Holt really does Jeff Hanneman justice.  

Flavor: Consistent with the Surly approach, this is as hoppy as this style should get, without being overpowering. This makes it a nice complement to the variety pack in that it fits the theme, but definitely stands out from the other members of the Big Four – Hell (Megadeth), Xtra Citra (Anthrax) and Furious (Metallica).

Mouthfeel: Fine, I guess, but why worry? This is absolutely the least important feature to consider when shotgunning beers before a metal show.

Overall Impression: This is good, but “Raining Blood” will always be their signature track. Personally, “South of Heaven” is my fave. And to think, neither of those were what earned them Grammys.

Slayer is done after this tour and HeatSlayer is exclusive to the variety pack so get on both now.

 

Review – Tin Whiskers Waveform

By on May 18, 2018in breweries, new beer, Tin Whiskers

Hazy, juicy, funky, fruity, milkshake glitter.

These features don’t often interest me when it comes to beer, but they would make for an interesting My Little Pony. IT seems new releases lately are either riding the trend (who can blame them) or are shifting to lighter, summer-themed styles, so when I saw last week that Tin Whiskers had released Waveform, a West Coast IPA, my interest was piqued.

“Why now?” I thought.

“Why not?” my inner monologue continued. “You like this style, so stop asking questions.”

It seemed a break from the norm. Hazy IPAs are de rigueur [Tin Whiskers actually released their own – Distortion – not too long ago] and while I like Pilsners, Kölschs and hefeweizens, they aren’t my go-to styles. This release seemed to be speaking to me.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I bought a four-pack of Waveform. Here’s my impression:

Tin Whiskers Waveform

West Coast IPA

ABV – 6.3%

IBU – 80

Aroma: Bright and citrusy hops up front. Not heavy, no indication they’ve used spicy or piney hops.

Appearance: Pours clear and light gold – a good sign based solely on my preferences.  

Flavor: Light, citrusy hops for a moment and then you’re hit with a hammer of piney, bitter hops. The Mosaic hops are noticeable but don’t dominate the way they can in other beers. This flavor lingers and you all but forget there was a citrus note at the beginning.

Mouthfeel: Clean and dry. No sweetness hanging around. This is surprisingly drinkable for being as hoppy as it is.

Overall Impression: Really a bold take on the West Coast IPA – which I would expect to be clear, dry and featuring hops with pine notes. This fits the bill and takes the hoppy part to the limit.

This is definitely my favorite IPA from Tin Whiskers, a spot formerly held by the previously mentioned Distortion. They’ve quietly been making some pretty solid new beers, in my opinion. Waveform is in stores and in the taproom right now, so enjoy it while it lasts.