Category: mnbeer.com

Wild Mind Ales Brewing Up Something Different

By on March 22, 2016in breweries, general beer, hops, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer, tap rooms

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It all started back in college when Mat Waddell tried a Saison for the first time. “That got me into fermenting with fruit” he says. Next were a series of internships at breweries like Summit and Badger Hill where he says he learned the importance of quality when it comes to making beer. Now Mat finds himself taking the ultimate risk in opening his own sour brewery in south Minneapolis.

This isn’t just any brewery though. His beers are going to fall under the category of “coolship” which by definition are fermented in open vessels—meaning that they utilize wild yeast to munch on the sugars instead of those cultivated and sold to the masses. There are a number of breweries out there currently practicing this including Allagash Brewing and Jester King. This of course involves a lot of risk in that one beer won’t taste the same as the last. “I love the wild, uncontrolled risk” says Waddell. “You get a nice reward.”

There are two ways of making coolship beers. The traditional way with open fermenters sitting out doors which would ideally happen in late winter and spring, and what is called wood cellaring (Jester King does it this way) which is where the wort is inoculated with wild yeast after it has been transferred into wooden barrels.

The space currently is not much to look at with all of the construction going on. Eventually though, there will be windows throughout the brewery where you can peek inside the production area, and picnic tables to sit at while you sip your brew. There will also be an indoor projector and screen where you will be able to watch the Olympics all summer long.

The outdoor beer garden will need plenty of work (currently a barren slab of busted concrete) but in the end will be home to some fire pits and a nice plot of grass complete with trees and hopefully hops. Mat also plans to screen some outdoor movies on the wall out in the beer garden where he hopes people will gather and enjoy the beer and weather. In fact, the goal is to keep the glass garage doors open all summer so the entire space will feel open. “We’re going for light and bright open space” according to Mat.

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Upon opening he plans to have his House beer (and a Spanish cedar version), a Pale Ale using Conan yeast, and a House Stout that showcases bourbon sugar. After a couple of months you can expect to see some of the Barrel Fermented Saisons come out followed by their sours in about 6 months. Mat is hoping for an early summer opening.

Wherever there is risk, there are often rewards.

Wild Mind Ales

6031 Pillsbury Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55419

Cheers!

Summit Celebrates 30 Years With Double IPA

By on March 12, 2016in history, hops, mnbeer.com, new beer, Summit Brewing Co.

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Back in 1983, Summit founder Mark Stutrud received a letter from The American Brewers Association. It read:

My dear Mr. Stutrud:
Thank you for your letter, and I note that you are working on a feasibility study on establishing a Micro-Brewery in the Twin Cities area.
Please know that I am not encouraging you to do so, because it is a long and hard road that you are planning to go down.
You did say that you would like to receive an Application for Membership, and it is enclosed.
With all best wishes, I remain
Sincerely,
William O’Shea

Now Summit is celebrating 30 years (They first opened in 1986) and they are releasing four different beers throughout the year to celebrate. The first is a Double IPA (sold in 4 packs of 16 oz cans) checking in at 101 IBUS. Tropical fruits dominate with a strong backing of Pale malt which bumps the ABV of this one to 8.5%.

I remember when I first tried Summit EPA years ago and I thought it was way too bitter. Summit brought us a taste of the craft beer movement that was going on out in California and to this day I still consider Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Summit EPA the standards for that style.

To that I raise you a glass Summit, and hope you see many, many more years of success.

Cheers!

Finnegan’s Releases Hoppy Shepherd

By on March 4, 2016in breweries, charity, contest, cooking & food, general beer, hops, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer, Summit Brewing Co.

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Jacquie Berglund founded Finnegan’s back in 2000 with the hopes of turning beer into food. Her organization donates 100% of profits to feed the hungry in the communities where their beer is sold. They’ve made a few different styles over the years (their beers are contract brewed at Summit) and they have all been very solid. The latest from Finnegan’s is a Session Ale called Hoppy Shepherd.

I was impressed with this addition to their lineup (although Dead Irish Poet is still my favorite) as it explores the interesting trend of hoppy session beers. I’m a sucker for these “hop forward” styles and this one lives up to that billing. Think lots of citrus with lightly toasted cracker from the malt. I’d suggest choosing this as you fire up the grill this spring and know that you’re not only feeding yourself, but also members of your community.

Speaking of community, Finnegan’s is partnering with local chefs this month in support of MN FoodShare’s Hunger Awareness Month. The theme….Food Fight. How it works is that chefs are asked to come up with a menu item using one of Finnegan’s beers and sell it at their restaurant for the month of March, and then donating a portion of that to profit. Voting will happen through the entire month with the winner receiving a free weekend at Chase on the Lake Resort. Check out the participants below.

• Bennett’s Chop and Railhouse – Chef Joe Bennett

• The Local – Chef Vincent Francoual

• Green Mill (Uptown, Lakeville, Eagan and Albert Lee)- Chefs Eric Heidelberger, Sammy Gonzalez, Danielle Puhle, Derek Oakland

• Le Town Talk Diner – Chef Ozzy Amelotti

• Pat’s Tap and the Red Stag- David Robinson (Pat’s Tap), Chefs Brian Krouch & Andrew Erenst (Red Stag)

• The Minneapolis Club – Chef Hakan Lundberg

• FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar (MOA and Downtown Mpls) Chefs Dinesh Jayawardena and Jim Kyndberg

• Jake O’Connors and O’Donovan’s- Chris Oxley

Cheers!

Better Beer Society Introduces Brewer Approved Apprenticeship Program

By on February 28, 2016in bars/restaurants, beer education, education, general beer, jobs, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com

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The Better Beer Society is now taking applications for their Brewer Approved Apprenticeship Program. Better Beer Society has been working hard over the last few years to improve the draft line systems in Minnesota and you could be a part of this mission. If selected, you will be paid and if you complete the program you could be selected to take part in the Micro Matic Dispense Institute and become certified through them.

Tap lines are often overlooked and if they aren’t regularity cleaned, good beer can quickly taste awful. The mission of Better Beer Society is to improve beer education and to promote quality across the industry. If you’re looking for a career in beer, this could be it.

Here is what they are looking for:

– You are a sincere human being and love life.
– You take great pride in your work.
– You are genuine in your love for beer.
– You feel that beer deserves to be shown in its best light.
– Not afraid of a dirty job (sometimes cold and wet conditions).
– Mechanically inclined (Ikea does not count).
– Must be okay with off-hours (early mornings and overnights)
– Deep appreciation and respect for the brewers craft.
– Dedicated to a career in beer.

If you are interested in applying, send an email to jobs@betterbeersociety.com.

Cheers!

Bauhaus Goes Down Under For Their Latest Seasonal

By on February 14, 2016in Bauhaus Brewlabs, general beer, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer

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The timing seems strange, but I’ll take what they’re going for over at Bauhaus Brew Labs with their latest seasonal offering. Introducing Imperial Sparkling Ale, the latest in the Über Düber Series at Bauhaus Brew Labs. This style seems to be under represented and it makes sense that Bauhaus would attempt this.

Bubble gum and melons are present up front with this one due to the hops (some of which are from Australia) that are used. Pineapple comes across in the flavor and the finish is dry. This one will have you looking right and left before you get up from your seat. Your best bet, sit down and have a water afterwards and wait it out. At 8% ABV, this one will sneak up on you.

You can find this one in bomber bottles all over town and on draft in the taproom.

Cheers!