I spoke with Omar last night and apparently Surly is set to collaborate with the soon-to-open I Love This Bar & Grill at Shops at West End in St. Louis Park. Surly has been developing three house beers for the bar, owned by country musician Toby Keith. Look for Surly Shit-Kicker, Piss on Chevy and Red, White and Blue at the bar’s opening later this year.

Shit-Kicker is a nod to Keith’s experience playing bars in the late early 90s, “Toby wanted a beer that reminded him of some of his favorites from the time, so we looked to Red Dog, Red Wolf and Old Style’s ‘Red Style’ for inspiration.” says Ansari. “And then we did our own thing.”

Piss on Chevy is a Classic American Pilsner, brewed with “Lotsa’ corn and rice from the heartland,” says Keith. “I was a little leery about using ‘piss’ in the name, but the guys insisted.”

Red, White and Blue is a “fancy” beer, according to Keith, brewed with lots of wheat and infused with cherry and blueberry extract. “For the girls mostly,” he laughs.

If the product catches on, Keith plans to roll them out in all of his bars.

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In other news…

New Glarus and Dogfish Head will be here next month as well as Russian River, Lost Abbey and Green Flash!

IPAs, Imperial Stouts and other beers tumble from the ranks at Ratebeer and Beer Advocate, making way for Pilseners, ESBs and Belgian Pale Ales!

Stub & Herb’s to feature Anheiser Busch day at the bar in celebration of the new Twin’s Stadium! All AB products on tap!

etc.

Happy April Fool’s Day!