Category: breweries

Best of the Wurst Sunday!

By on September 20, 2018in August Schell Brewing Co., Sociable Cider Werks

We’d be remiss (or just lazy as per usual) if we didn’t mention that Sunday The Best of the Wurst takes place at Sociable Cider Werks. We’ll hold off on sharing our wurst jokes and get right down to the details. If you’re into sausage parties, then this is the shindig for you! Tickets range from $25 to $75 and feature a plethora of sausage samples as well as craft beer and cider from Sociable and August Schell Brewing Company. Schell’s will be serving their seasonal favorite, Oktoberfest as well as their 1905 VT and Witbier. They may also be sharing some of the collaboration beer they created with Sociable this past summer.

Church of Cash and Alex Rossi round out the event with some fine pluckin’ and a’strumin’ and the event wraps up with the crowning of the Sausage King/Queen of Minnesota (I just made that up, feel free to use it) – the “Best of the Wurst” determined through ranked choice voting.

Sunday, Sept. 23rd, 2-6pm.

Get tickets right here. 

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.