Category: Summit Brewing Co.

Community Keg House Set to Open in Northeast on 1/15

Community Keg House

Here is a Q & A session I conducted with Nate Field from Community Keg House which is set to open on Friday, January 15th. This “beer room” is located in the Grain Belt Brewing Keg House and it provides a different experience than the other taprooms in town.

When was the idea for Community Keg House born?

I came up with the idea around 6 years ago. This was before the taproom boom. I wanted to create a space where beer enthusiasts could get closer to the experience of enjoying and understanding beer. I liked the experience I’d had at some wine bars and I modeled much of it on that form/vibe.

How did you secure that location?

My real estate broker found the space for us. We knew we wanted a location in NE where I live. When we found the space in the Grain Belt Keg House it felt right. We liked the idea that we would be celebrating the history of Minnesota beer while showcasing the next generation of what we are brewing.

How does the system work?

A patron walks up to our bar. Rather than order a specific beer they order a glass (either 16 or 10 oz size).

They enter a self-contained room we refer to as the “pour room.” Within the pour room is a 17-foot long table with 16 taps on it. Each tap is a different Minnesota brewery. Located and monitoring the tap table are “taptenders.” The taptender is there to help you. You can talk with them about beer, get a sample or directions on how to pour the perfect pint.

When you decide which beer you would like to drink, you POUR YOUR OWN PINT!

Now, beer in hand, you exit the pour room. You return to one of our seating areas. When you want another beer you return to the bar and get a new glass. The cashiers at the bar (bar control) can cut you off if you’re drunk). And the system repeats.

How will you make sure that people are pouring their beers correctly in regards to proper sanitation?
Well, each time you go back to the table you have to get a new glass. We will have some signage on proper pouring and the taptenders are there to advise.

Will you have options for people who don’t like beer?

Yes. We have two ciders on tap at all times. Also, there are NA drinks in the kitchen.

 

Which local beers will be available?

Belgian

Boom Island Witness
Insight Sunken City
Harriet Dark Abbey
Schell’s Snowstorm 2015

Winter

Northgate Stronghold
Summit Winter Ale
Bauhaus Tallander
Indeed Stir Crazy

Hoppy

Surly Furious
Fair State Pomp Le Moose
56 Brewing Polonaise APA
Able Seedhouse & Brewery First Light

Alternative

Grain Belt Nordeast
Bent Brewstillery Maroon & Bold
Four Daughters Loon Juice
Sociable Cider Werks Freewheeler

Community Keg House
34 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Hours:
Monday 4 pm to 12 am
Tues-Wed Closed
Thursday 4 pm to 12 am
Friday 4 pm to 12 am
Saturday 1 pm to 12am
Sunday 1pm to 10 pm

Cheers!

Summit Unchained #20, Sticke Alt

sticke-altOld timers still lament the loss of Summit Altbier. I remember seeing it around, but quite frankly, I don’t actually remember much about it. I’ll defer to the old timers, who seemed to be quite fond of the beer.

Iold-altbiern October, brewer Mike Lundell brings another Alt to the Summit line-up in the form of Summit Unchained #20, Sticke Alt. Perhaps I’m just a beer nerd, but there’s something special about an Altbier. Alts are brewed at relatively moderate temperatures using top-fermenting ale yeast and are matured at cooler temperatures. The resulting beer ends up with a crisp flavor, not unlike a lager.

Summit describes Unchained #20 as a beer with a light noble hop nose with a good malt backbone that is slightly sweet, with a crisp, clean finish.

For this beer they’re using Pilsener, Vienna, Light and Dark Munich, Caramel and Black malts along with Hallertau and Mittelfruh hops. IBUs rack up at 55 and an abv of 6.3%.

Cool, eh?

Now keep in mind, this info is about Unchained #20. The 19th Unchained beer is still in stores. “Make it So,” is an ESB brewed with Earl Grey Tea. If you haven’t checked it out, you really should. I enjoyed it.

makeitso

 

Chop & Brew #38: Homebrewing With Tea

A new episode of the locally produced homebrew/cooking webcast Chop & Brew is now online. This episode focuses on the topic and technique of homebrewing with tea. Tea geek/homebrewer Jessica Hanley (until just recently the manager of Eden Prairie TeaSource) talks about methods for brewing/infusing beer at home using tea. She also hosts a flight of her tea-kissed homebrews. We also throw Summit’s new Unchained 19: Make It So in the mix since it is an ESB infused with Early Grey tea. Relevant and timely!

Other recent C&B episodes you may enjoy:

C&B 37 – Influence of Mashing on Sour Beer Production
Features a presentation by Michael Tonsmeire, author of American Sour Beers and blogger The Mad Fermentationist, on his experience and suggestions regarding mashing for particular styles of sour beer.

C&B 36 – Big Brew Day at Summit
Dozens of homebrewers descend upon Summit Brewing Company for American Homebrewers Association Big Brew Day to brew extract, all-grain and Brew in a Bag batches of homebrew and enjoy a great day in the Minnesota sun.

Speaking of Summit’s Make It So, here is a bit more about the beer, its Star Trek nerd inspiration and effect of the Earl Grey tea:

(Full disclosure: post author works at Summit. Sup.)

Summit Hopvale Organic Ale is Here!

hopvaleBack in January, we told you about Summit’s latest offering, Hopvale Organic Ale. Yesterday, Summit announced that this beer will be rolling out shortly with a series of release events. Hopvale will be available for your imbibing pleasure starting the first week of April on draught and in 16 oz. 4-pack cans.
Summit describes the beer as having the hop character of an IPA with the drinkability of a Bitter. They go on to suggest that you’ll fine notes of grapefruit, pine resin, lemon rind and tangerine. We’re thirsty already.
“Summit’s ongoing commitment to using the highest quality of ingredients inspired the addition of an organic beer into our year-round line up of brews,” said Head Brewer Damian McConn.


Hopvale Organic Ale Information:
 
Malts: Organic Pale and Caramel 15

Hops: Organic Bravo, Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook

Kettle Additions: Organic Lemon Peel
ABV: 4.7%

IBUs: 55
 
Keep scrolling for release event information.