Ready to get some 612 BREW? If you didn’t get to try 612 at The Beer Dabbler (voted among the top 3 breweries) or at Winterfest this last weekend, rejoice! The official tap release is happening this Thursday at The Pourhouse.
The guys are bringing all four of their beers.
Rated R: West Coast IPA meets Midwest Rye.
SIX: American Pale Ale.
Bitter Cold Winter IPA Series #1:Single malt and single-hop India Pale Ale.
Zero Hour: Aggressively hopped Black Ale
Lift Bridge Brewing Co is taking applications from qualified applicants to fill the position of “Beertender” (think of it as bartender that only serves beer).
Are you looking to get involved in the craft beer world? Join the Lift Bridge team by working as a beertender in one of the first taprooms in the state. Serve patrons by creating the best possible craft beer experience. Contribute by pouring a pint, giving a tour or talking about the history of craft beer with a patron.
Read the full requirements here
According to Finance & Commerce, Surly Brewing has cleared a major obstacle along the journey to building a new “Destination Brewery.” Although this is just one step, it is a big one. Hopefully we hear more news soon!
“This is a big step in the process and will allow Surly to move forward in the next steps to potentially acquire and redevelop the site,” Surly said in a statement provided by a spokesman. “Now it’s on to the next steps in investigation and design.”
Source: Finance & Commerce
Winterfest is nearly here. With a bunch of new breweries and nearly 40 participants in total, the event program could prove to be a little daunting. In no particular order, here are 10 to try as you make your way through the crowd.
612 Brew
BITTER COLD WINTER IPA SERIES #1
The new guys on the block are coming out if the gate with a single malt and single hop India Pale Ale brewed to showcase the individual characters of the ingredients. The ale is brewed with 100% Marris Otter malt and 100% single-hop from the Willamette Valley, Oregon. If you have tried any of the beer from Sam Adams single hop series you know how fun it is to taste a beer that is made with single components. Think of it like a steak done so well you only need a dash salt, or sushi nigiri so good all you need is a bed of rice. Simple and good.
August Schell Brewing Co.
CRAFTY
One of a America’s oldest craft brewers will feature their tradition American Lager. Be sure to stop by the third floor and try Schell’s Deer Brand, krausened and dry hopped with Calypso hops. If that isn’t craft beer, I don’t know what is.
6.2% ABV
Bemidji Brewing Co.
Sour Red
This sour red ale will be a special treat for all the sour beer lovers. This beer will be available only at Winterfest, so consider yourself privileged. The event program describes this bright red ale as a “blend of aged beers containing funky wild yeast and other critters that lend a complex profile of dark stone fruit and clean malt that finishes with a gentle lactic tartness.” A while back I was lucky enough to taste some of brewer Tom Hill’s home brew aged on brett, if this beer is 1/2 as good you’ll be talking about it for days.
5.8% ABV
Borealis Fermentary
MON CHERRIES
Borealis is home to Ken Thiemann, one of the most talented small batch brewers in the state. Ken made this dark Belgian style ale with Minnesota cherries and aged it on oak. The flavors in this beer amazed me when first I sampled it at All Pint North this summer. When people ask me which Minnesota brewery excites me the most, this beer is a big part of the reason why recently my answer is usually Borealis Fermentary.
Castle Danger
BARREL AGED NESTOR GRADE AMBER ALE
This amber ale was aged for three months on a bed of raisins in Jack Daniels whiskey barrels. If raisins and whiskey don’t get you excited you should check your pulse.
Dangerous Man Brewing Co.
CHOCOLATE MILK STOUT
This chocolate milk stout is among the best I’ve ever tasted, a considerable feat considering that they have only been open a few weeks. Close your eyes and imagine you’re drinking a chocolate shake with with cocoa sprinkled on top.
6.3% ABV | 27 IBU
Excelsior Brewing
MR. JIMMY’S BALTIC PORTER
This award winning dark ale aged is aged on cherry wood to give it some depth of flavor. This beer should be fantastic. If you try it, well, you just might find, you’ll get what you want, and what you need.
7.8% ABV
Indeed Brewing / Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub
HOT BOX, IMPERIAL SMOKED PEPPER PORTER
This collaboration Indeed Brewing Company and Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub was brewed at Indeed with malt and peppers smoked at Northbound in South Minneapolis. I have been been complaining for years that Minnesota brewers rarely collaborate on beers and never with each each other. Hopefully this brew symbolizes a change in the collaboration status quo.
9.5% ABV
Northgate Brewing
WINTER WARMER
If you enjoy the maltier side of beer like me you’ll want be sure to grab taste of this Old Ale. Despite our cold winters there isn’t a bunch of this style to be enjoyed locally, until now.
7.7% ABV
Steel Toe Brewing
DAWN JUAN
Jason Schoneman is fantastic brewer with a knack for making big beers. If this Barleywine with coffee is anything like Steel Toe’s Before the Dawn, Size 11, or Lunker, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2013 Great Snowshoe Award outfitted with steel toes.
13.7% ABV | 50 IBU
Mike Campbell has been working on making Blue Wolf Brewing a reality for a while now. He seems to have finally settled in on a clear vision for his company as a home brewing kit company. Mike has several years of experience creating and selling beer kits at a local homebrew supply shop, so this should be a good fit him. With the all the home brewing that goes on in Minnesota hopefully some of those big national suppliers can room for a local guy.
Kick back, pop a home brew, and checkout the Blue Wolf Brewing Kickstarter.
A perfect Pint’s Michael Agnew talks new brews on KARE 11.
Source: Kare 11
Contact your Legislators. Tell them to Support Sunday Sales!
Kona Brewing Company has announced it will begin distributing its entire beer portfolio in Minnesota starting this January. With the expanded distribution to Minnesota and 4 other midwest states, Kona beers will now be available in 35 states.
“This is a bit of uncharted territory for us but we are genuinely stoked to be bringing Liquid Aloha to the many craft beer lovers in our country’s interior,” said Kona Brewing company president Mattson Davis. “We appreciate the love for ohana (family) that Midwesterners have. In Hawaii we have similar values of family and friendship and we look forward to finally sharing some warmth and a taste of Hawaii with more of our fans, especially during these cold winter months in the Midwest.”
Regular offerings from Kona include the Flagship Longboard Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale, and my favorite Big Wave Golden Ale. The seasonal Aloha Series includes Koko Brown Ale (made with toasted coconuts for that subtle nutty flavor), Wailua Wheat made with passion fruit, and a coffee infused Pipeline Porter.
Kona beer is brewed in several locations across the country so that the beer is already close to market. The market proximity means the product is fresh when it reaches customers. The water at each brewing location is treated for impurities and then minerals are added to mimic the water in Hawaii. And actually, the water in Kona is treated too. The municipal water in Kona has changed over time and become too brackish.
Kona has a bit of a cult following. Last week, during our happy hour, we thought Koko Brown was going to be on tap, but a different keg showed up. Boy, did I ever hear about it! Several people (including one very upset young lady named Katie) gave me grief for the mix up. Everyone that gave me a hard time had either heard great reviews of Kona, or had already tasted it previously and were anxious to have it again. I’d say all the boos and hisses I had to endure is a good indication of how good Kona beer is, even if I was nearly tarred & feathered.
Kona Brewing Website
Kona Brewing on Facebook
Kona Brewing on Twitter
