Category: general beer

Bauhaus and Fair State Set to Release New Beers This Week

By on December 16, 2015in Bauhaus Brewlabs, beer stores, Fair State Brewing, general beer, new beer, tap rooms

Scottish Ale

When you think of a Scottish-Style Ale you tend to think of a peaty beer backed with a boozy punch. Bauhaus broke down some of those walls with their brand new Scottish-Style Dark Ale named Tallander. First of all, the name (in Bauhaus fashion) is a nod to the 1986 movie “Highlander” that we all know and love. The beer itself is different in that it’s very drinkable at 6 % ABV and has some of those nice caramel notes typical of Scottish malts while teasing the palate with a tiny bit of smokiness. While sampling this one I couldn’t help but think of standing around a backyard fire pit with a Tallander in hand.
This brew can be found in 4 packs of 16 oz. cans at your local bottle shop, and on tap at the “Haus” in Northeast Minneapolis. Growlers will also be available.

Fair State’s first bottle release went so well that they decided to do it again. This time they are bringing Saison Drei to market which is a Brettanomyces Aged Saison. Expect some funky characters from the Brett that will mature over time—which means you can sit this one down in your cellar for a while. Brewer Niko Tonks had this to say about their latest release. “We modeled this beer after some of the beers we enjoy drinking the most. We hope you will enjoy it this holiday season, and down the road as well.”

This 5.7 % ABV will be on sale in the taproom ($11 per bottle) on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 17th in 750 ml bottles. I’m told that they will have more bottles for sale this time around and that the brew will also be on tap that day.

Cheers!

Indeed’s Sour Program on Display at Republic’s Sour Social this Saturday

By on December 8, 2015in beer dinners, beer education, cooking & food, education, general beer, Indeed Brewing Co., Republic

Indeed Sour

Sour beers are huge right now and Indeed Brewing has one of the better programs around. The Wooden Soul Series is run by Adam Theis and is coming up on one year now. Adam was first introduced to sours at Town Hall Brewery where he brewed under Mike Hoops. “We got La Folie there [a sour beer from New Belgium] and I was like oh my god” says Theis. “It was really intriguing to me.”

He left Town Hall and went up to Third Street for a little while until he was contacted by Tom Whisenand and Josh Bischoff from Indeed. The Northeast brewery really wanted to start up a sour program and since they had worked with him previously at Town Hall, the move made sense. “I was a fan of sour beer, and I couldn’t pass that up” he says.

The Wooden Soul beers start out just like the others in that they are brewed and fermented at the regular brewery prior to making their way over to Adam’s house of funk which is just down Broadway. So far there have been five entries in the series, a set that rivals any being brewed here in the state.

Wooden Soul #1 Saison
Wooden Soul #2 Sour Blonde Ale
Wooden Soul #3 Sour Blonde Ale aged on cherries
Wooden Soul #4 Sour Blonde Ale aged on grapefruit
Wooden Soul #5 Saison fermented with apple juice

The most popular one around town seems to be #3 which was a Sour Blonde Ale aged on cherries. This is not Adam’s favorite though so far. “A lot of people liked #3, but it wasn’t my favorite. I really like citrus fruit so I’d probably go with the grapefruit [Wooden Soul #4] one as my favorite” he says.

There is one that hasn’t been released yet that he’s very excited about. It’s a Red and Brown Ale mix which is aged on cherries in a very unique barrel. One that Adam states is working really well right now. This brew will make an appearance at Sour Social which is a beer dinner being hosted by Republic on Saturday. The event itself will pair six dishes with sour beers from both breweries (New Belgium and Indeed) in a casual environment.

Overall the sour program has been a successful operation and should only grow from here. “We’ve experimented with everything and we are always trying out new techniques. These beers are just a slow evolution that plays out right in front of us” says Adam.

If you are looking for tickets to the event Saturday, you can purchase them here for $50 plus fees.

Cheers!

Fulton HefeWheaties is Available Today

By on August 26, 2015in general beer

hefewheaties

Soooo…. we’re guessing you’ve heard a bit about Fulton’s American Hefeweizen, HefeWheaties. Although no Wheaties were harmed in the crafting of said beer, the beer (just like Wheaties) is composed primarily of wheat. The fine folks at Fulton describe it as an easygoing 4.7% ABV with citrus notes courtesy of Rakau, Galaxy, Mandarina Bavaria, and Sorachi Ace hops.

And today you can try it in Fulton’s taproom starting at 3pm, while supplies last. Fulton will be selling 16 oz. cans of said beer for $5. And just so we’re clear, those full cans are for consumption at the brewery only, due to state law. If you’re a can collector, you can certainly bring your empties home though…

In mid- to late-September you’ll find this beer in retail locations in the greater Twin Cities metro. It’s a relatively small run, and will likely sell out quickly. You won’t find this beer outside of Minnesota, on draft at Fulton’s taproom or any other outlet or in growlers. Just cans, man.

 

Bauhaus Brew Labs One Year of Awesöme Saturday

By on July 14, 2015in general beer

This Saturday (July 18th), consider visiting Bauhaus Brew Labs to help celebrate “One Year of Awesöme.” Their anniversary party will feature special casks, infusions and radlers, as well as carnival-style games and surprises. Jack Brass Band and “Haus” band Viva Knievel will provide musical entertainment for your precious ears. Gerhard’s Brats and Butcher Salt will be on site with great food as well. The excitement starts at noon.

In the second half of 2014, Bauhaus produced over 1600 bbls of beer and is on pace to brew over 5000 in 2015. “The past year has exceeded our every expectation,” says President and Head Brewer Matt Schwandt. “It’s hard to believe that we only had two full-time employees at this time last year. We’ve got a staff of over twenty people now – it’s been an amazing ride!”

Congrats to Bauhaus!

AnniversaryPoster

Surly Nein Label Art

By on July 9, 2015in general beer
Surly Nein

Click image for a full-sized version with text.

Check out the label art for Surly Nein label art by artist Erica Williams. If the name doesn’t already give it away, Nein will be (you guessed it!) Surly’s ninth anniversary beer. According to the label, Nein was inspired by a trip to Bamberg, Germany. The beer is brewed with oak-smoked wheat malt, fermented with a German Hefeweizen yeast and then aged on charred oak. Surly calls it a “huge, complex, dark beer” and suggests a punch of smoked banana, vanilla and clove.

From the artist:

The inspiration for Surly’s Nein Anniversary Ale artwork mirrors that of the ale itself. Todd visited Germany and knew he wanted the beauty of traditional German aesthetic reflected in the label so I used heraldry as my main source of inspiration. Lions, black eagles, billowing scrolls, and symbolically powerful imagery are commonly found in their shields, architecture, and art so we went with that. I also used three lions, each with three eyes, because Todd and I are both cat people and I wanted to infuse the label with 3s and 9s. The oak leaves play to the process of making the beer and the spades are a symbol of good luck.

Reading “smoked bananas” immediately had me thinking about the band The Dead Milkmen. As a direct result, here’s my present to you, good or bad…