Category: MN

Two Fine California Breweries Entering Minnesota Market

By on June 1, 2016in breweries, general beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer

Ask any sour fan for a recommendation and they are likely to list off at least one offering from The Bruery out of Orange County, California. The Bruery will make its way into the Minnesota market in the next couple of weeks (debuting at the St. Paul Summer Beer Fest) along with a longtime favorite of this writer, Bear Republic Brewing.

The Bruery will be distributed throughout the state by the reputable Artisan Beer Company (Surly, Indeed, Bent Paddle) based in the Twin Cities. Artisan Sales Manager Chris Martin has seen the demand building for a long time here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. “Local craft beer consumers have been waiting many years for the opportunity to purchase these award winning and unique California beers,” said Martin. The partnership aligns both our goals of maintaining high standards and of providing quality craft beer statewide.”

The Minnesota beer scene has been growing steadily for a while now and The Bruery CEO has been taking note. “I’m extremely proud to have our beers finally available in Minnesota,” commented CEO Patrick Rue. “For years, I’ve been hearing there’s a steady stream of beer enthusiasts from Minnesota crossing state lines into Wisconsin to find our beers, so I’m pleased that access to our beers will be more conveniently found in their home state.”
Reps from The Bruery will be around town this week to shake hands and spread the word about their beers and you can find the schedule here.

Bear Republic Brewing Company will be distributed by Clear River Beverage (Sixpoint, Clown Shoes, AleSmith, Stillwater Artisanal, Crooked Stave) and will also debut at the St. Paul Summer Beer Fest on Saturday. Known for selections such as Racer 5 IPA, Red Rocket Scotch Ale, Hop Rod Rye, and Big Bear Black Stout—the Heraldsburg brewery is entering this market despite the water shortage issues out in California. They recently pulled out of large markets such as Massachusetts and Texas due to drought that began in 2012. This seems like a pretty big commitment to come out this way, and with all of the great local options there is sure to be stiff competition for shelf space.

However all of this shakes out, beer aficionados are sure to benefit provided the liquor stores can move all this product.

Cheers!

Beers to Seek Out for Memorial Day

By on May 27, 2016in Bent Paddle Brewing Co., breweries, general beer, Indeed Brewing Co., misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer, Steel Toe Brewing

Here are some local beers to procure for the long weekend ahead. Whether you’re fishing, hiking, hanging out on the patio, or out by the fire pit—these selections are sure to be a hit.

Summer Crush by Castle Danger Brewery – Sorachi Ace hops give this crisp beer a nice touch of lemon, which is perfect on a hot day or for a trip up to the lake.

pHresh by Modist Brewing – Swing into the brewery and grab a few crowlers of this refreshingly tart patio sipper. Enjoy this one out in the sun amongst friends and you’ll never want the day to end.

Lucy by Indeed Brewing – Indeed’s flagship beers are very popular in local liquor stores, but if you limit yourself to those you’re doing it wrong. Drop in to the taproom and fill a growler with their kettle soured Pale Ale called Lucy. Lemongrass lends a nice touch to this already tasty Pale Ale. Plus it’s only 4.2% ABV so you won’t fall into the fire at the end of the night.

Venture Pils by Bent Paddle Brewing – This is quickly becoming my favorite Pilsner made here in Minnesota, and it’s the ultimate fishing beer. Like an old crush, this will remind you of the first time you fell in love with beer. *Be sure to pick this one up here in the cities as it’s becoming harder and harder to find up in northern Minnesota. See this for further details.

Sommer Vice by Steel Toe Brewing – Whether you choose to pick this Hefeweizen up in bomber bottles at the liquor store or via growler at the taproom, just be sure you don’t forget this crowd pleaser. Sommer Vice is hazy and is packed with banana/clove flavor from the yeast, perfect for a day outside playing lawn games and listening to music. Grab it now though as it’s never around very long, much like a Minnesota summer.

Cheers!

Minneapolis Cider Week Celebrating 6 Years

By on May 25, 2016in beer dinners, beer events, general beer, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, Republic

The cider scene in Minnesota has been growing over the years and for the sixth time the fermented apple beverage will be celebrated for an entire week from June 6th – 11th. Minneapolis Town Hall will host the event once again and to kick it off all of the Town Hall locations will offer 12 ciders on tap at any given time.

When they started this six years ago there was only one cidery in Minnesota, now there are 14. Of those, Four Daughters, Loon Juice, Milk & Honey, Number 12 Cider House, Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly, Sociable Cider Werks, Sweetland Orchards, and Wyndfall will all be featured at the Seven Corners location, Town Hall Tap, and Town Hall Lanes. The schedule for Minneapolis Cider Week is as follows:

All Week

Ciders Take Over the Taps at Town Hall Locations
Town Hall Brewery, Town Hall Lanes and Town Hall tap will each have at least 12 ciders on tap all week.

Tuesday, June 7

Cider Dinner and Seminar at Town Hall Tap
7 p.m., Tuesday, June 7
Enjoy a cider-paired course dinner from Town Hall Tap featuring presentations from cider makers representing Minnesota cider makers Milk & Honey and Sweetland. Tickets are $65 and limited — call (612) 339-8696.

Thursday, June 9

Minnesota Cider Competition
Cider makers are invited to submit their homemade ciders for prizes, including a large cider collection. Register and find more information at http://townhallcidercomp.com. There is a $7 entry fee.

• Deadline to enter is 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 31 — submit entries at Northern Brewer on Lyndale Ave. in Minneapolis. Participants must submit two bottles per category entered (Dry, Sweet and Other).
• Awards ceremony is 7 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at Town Hall Tap.

Saturday, June 11

Cider Fest at Town Hall Brewery and Republic 7 Corners
1–5 p.m., Saturday, June 11
Discover hard-to-find ciders alongside favorites from local, national and international producers including Keepsake, Milk & Honey, Sweetland, Wyndfall, Yellow Belly and more. Tickers are $35 for unlimited samples and a Cider Week glass.
Tickets: www.tempotickets.com/ciderfest

Cheers!

Art-A-Whirl 2016

By on May 18, 2016in beer events, breweries, Dangerous Man Brewing Co., Fair State Brewing, general beer, Grumpy's NE, Indeed Brewing Co., misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com

The Electric Fetus and Dangerous Man Brewing have teamed up again for a full day of music and beer on Saturday, May 21st from noon – 10 pm in the parking lot behind the brewery. This year the beer garden will only be serving Dangerous Man beer (last year they teamed up with a few breweries to serve their beers as well) which will include the highly anticipated collaboration beer they made with Surly called Blutpakt.

The food truck lineup is fantastic with the highlight being the BBQ truck Bark and the Bite. Rumor has it that they may just be selling chicken quarters right out of the smoker on Saturday. Oh, also….Chocolate Milk Stout makes for an excellent accompaniment to your breakfast.

Music lineup at Dangerous Man:
12:15 pm Tony Peachka
1:15 pm Still Pacific/Shellycoats
2:15 pm Driftwood Pyre
3:15 pm Rabbit Holes
4:15 pm Tiny Deaths
5:15 pm New Years Steve
6:15 pm Frankie Teardrop
7:15 pm Mike Mictlan
8:15 pm Forever Young Dance Party
Food Trucks:
Hot Indian Foods
Bark and the Bite
O’Cheeze

 

Art A Whirl 2016 4

Bauhaus will be hosting The Liquid Zoo which kicks off Friday, May 20th with the “Haus” band Viva Knievel. On Saturday Andrea Swensson from The Current will be there to get things going before a lineup of Jeremy Messersmith, The 4onthefloor, and Sonny Knight and The Lakers take the stage. That’s one hell of a party…

 

Art A Whirl 2016 2.5

Indeed will be hosting Whirlygig again and the big highlight will be Charlie Parr who is performing on Sunday, May 22nd at 5 pm. Nate Dogs will be on site slinging wieners along with Blue Door Pub throughout the weekend. The event goes Friday, May 20th through Sunday, May 22nd.

Grumpy’s will have the best music lineup on Saturday, May 21st with Babes in Toyland headlining a set that features Romantica and Mississippi Hot Club. Brian Oake from 89.3 The Current will be the emcee for the day. NE Tattoo will be on site in case you want some ink.

Art A Whirl 2016 3

Fair State will be hosting another Art-A-Whirl event but this time it will run both Friday and Saturday. The highlight will be Frankie Lee who takes the stage on Saturday, May 21st at 9 pm.

612Brew will have also have music both Friday and Saturday with a lineup that features Hapduzn and Sara Streitz on Friday. Saturday Nooky Jones and The Satellites will perform while Outlaw Grill and Market BBQ will be cooking up a storm.

Also, be sure to visit the many studios and support local art. After all, that’s what Art-A-Whirl is all about.

Cheers!

City Pages Beer Fest Moves to West End

By on May 16, 2016in beer events, breweries, general beer, MN, mnbeer.com

City Pages Beer Fest has moved around over the years, this time to West End in St. Louis Park. The event is taking place from 5 – 9 pm on Saturday, May 21st and will feature over 50 breweries—many of them from Minnesota. Some of the highlights include Castle Danger, Steel Toe, Bad Weather, Oskar Blues, Clown Shoes, and Blacklist Artisan Ales out of Duluth. This is one of the longest running beer festivals (now in its 24th year) here in Minnesota and part of the proceeds this year will go to Finnegans.

City Pages Beer Fest 2016

The food lineup is solid as well with Rusty Taco, Urban Sub, Big 10 Restaurant, WildEarth Wood Fired, Pinstripes, and Cheer on Top Confections. Free and Easy Band will be performing throughout the festival along with accordionist Bill Koncar and Brian Boru’s Irish Pipe Band.

Tickets will cost $30 and you can grab them here. See below for the entire brewery lineup.

Alesmith Brewing Co.
American Vintage Beverage
Bad Weather Brewing
Bank Beer
Bent Brewstillery
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Big Sky
Blacklist Artisan Ales
Boom Island
Bull Falls
Burning Brothers Brewing
Canal Park Brewing Company
Capital Brewing
Castle Danger Brewery
Clown Shoes
Company
Crazy Mountain
Empyrean Brewing
Enki Brewing Co.
Excelsior Brewing Co.
Fargo Brewing
Finnegan’s
Furthermore Brewing Co.
Fytenburg/St. Croix/Stage Coach
Goose Island
Harriet Brewing
Horny Goat Brewing Co.
Indeed Brewing Company
Insight Brewing Co.
Lakes & Legends Brewing
Lift Bridge
Mankato Brewery
Maple Island Brewing
North Loop BrewCo (Lucid)
Omni Brewing
Oskar Blues
Prairie Artisan Ales
RJM/Grays Brewing/North Lake Brewing/Killebrew Beverages
Rock Bottom Brewery
Sand Creek Brewing
Schilling Cider/Two Towns Ciderhouse
Schram Winery & Brewery
Sierra Nevada
Sixpoint Brewery
Sociable Cider Werks
Steel Toe Brewing
Stone Brewing
Third Street Brewhouse
Tin Whiskers
Wabasha Brewing Co.
Waconia Brewing

Cheers!