All posts by Taylor Callais

Born and raised in St. Paul, he fell in love with craft beer as many Minnesotans have, with his first sip of Surly Furious. He considers himself a beer geek who doesn't look down at those who don't happen to share his passion. Aspiring home brewer, and Certified Cicerone®, his love for craft beer knows no stylistic bounds. He can be found on Twitter @Taylor_Callais
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Town Hall Brewery Barrel-Aged Week Preview

In an ever-shifting beer market, few constants remain. Thankfully one of those constants resides in the Seven Corners area of Minneapolis. Town Hall Brewery has been delighting the local beer fanatics with their barrel aged offerings for nearly two decades now.
Back in 2000, Town Hall’s head brewer called down to the Jack Daniels distillery inquiring as to whether or not a barrel may be available for purchase. The distillery obliged and sold it to Hoops for the cool sum of $45 (plus $75 shipping). My how things have changed since then. Not only are used barrels significantly more expensive, but the beers they are aged in have exploded, becoming one of the more sought after styles.

That beer was the first Czar Jack, the now iconic barrel aged stout, that went on to win a gold medal at the 2001 GABF. This medal was far from their last.

I was fortunate enough to be allowed a sneak peak into this year’s offerings and I can tell you that Head Brewer, Mike Hoops’ passion is still there after all these years. I was able to get a minute with Mike after the preview and tour. I had to ask him, what drives him to keep up such high standards? After all, coming out of the gate with a GABF gold medal sets the bar awfully high. He confided in me, that while he loves the year-round offerings of the brewery, he gets particularly excited to work with these barrel aged beers. That passion shows, not only in the final product but the way he and his team showcased it for those of us in attendance. Each beer was carefully discussed, from the new custom glassware that these beers will be served in this year (specially designed for barrel aged beers, and yes, they are as cool as you imagine), to the sourcing of the honey for the incredible Eye Wine Red and White.

These are nuanced, complex beers, no two are the same. While the base beers are essentially unchanged from year to year, those barrels have a story and a character of their own. We were treated to the following beers.

Buffalo bock – Big barrel aged Weizenbock, huge banana, toasted caramel, marshmallow, vanilla notes.

Foolish Angel – Belgian Quad aged in bourbon barrels. MONSTROUS fig flavor.

Eye of The Storm – Red and White. The red is a Minnesota Honey Ale aged in French oak red wine barrels. You get waves of honey on the nose and a nice balance of grape acidity and sweetness from the honey. The white is crisp and dry, a bit softer.

Barrel Aged Week is one of the best beer events anywhere. Full details below.

The week begins at 10 am on Sunday, February 19th, with the pre-sale for this year’s selection of 750mL mini-growlers of barrel-aged beer.

On Tuesday, February 21st, Town Hall hosts their annual Barrel Dinner! This coursed meal is paired with our barrel-aged beers and presented by Brewmaster Mike Hoops and Chef Matt Lepisto. Reservations fill up fast, so make yours today!
Friday, February 21st | 7 pm | $99 per person (includes food, drinks, tax, and gratuity)

Barrel Aged Week Release Schedule 2017:

Sunday, February 19th | 10 am
750ml Growler Pre-Sale | If you’re looking to take home this year’s barrel-aged releases, this is your chance! Tickets go on sale at 10 am; beers can be picked up once they are released on tap.

Monday, February 20th | 5 pm
Foolish Red | Belgian-style Quadrupel aged in French oak red wine barrels.
Foolish Angel | Belgian-style Quadrupel aged in bourbon barrels.
Single Barrel Reserve Foolish Angel | A very special single-barrel offering.

Tuesday, February 21st | 5 pm
Manhattan Reserve | Belgian-style Grand Cru with red tart cherries, aged in bourbon barrels.

Wednesday, February 22nd | 5 pm
Twisted Trace | American Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels.
E.T. Wee | Scottish-style Wee Heavy aged in bourbon barrels.

Thursday, February 23rd | 5 pm
Eye Wine Red | Minnesota Honey Ale aged in French oak red wine barrels.
Eye Wine White | Minnesota Honey Ale aged in American chardonnay barrels.
Le Baltique | Baltic Porter aged in French oak red wine barrels.

Friday, February 24th | 5 pm
Project 3106 | Belgian-style Strong Brown Ale with kumquat and chocolate, aged in bourbon barrels.
Buffalo Bock | German-style Weizenbock aged in bourbon barrels.

Saturday, February 25th | 11 am
Czar Jack | The granddaddy of them all. Russian Imperial Stout aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels.

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Brewers of British Beers Bust Out The Cans

Northeast Minneapolis favorites, NorthGate Brewing are the latest Minnesota brewer to add cans to their beer serving arsenal. Bitter Fool IPA, Maggie’s Leap, Pumpion, and Get Together are all available in the portable and arguably superior vessel. Ok, maybe it’s not an argument really. Cans block out all UV light, are more durable, and little to no air gets in, thereby preventing the decaying effects of oxidation. But I digress. Check out these brews!
northgate-brewing-canned-beers
Bitter Fool IPA: Bitter Fool IPA features a strong biscuit malt base, balanced out with a tropical fruit and herbal profile provided by the one of England’s newest hops, Jester. Bitter Fool IPA brings new world flavor to this British IPA. New hops. New BRITISH hops. Perfect for cheering on your favorite team or drowning your sorrows if they lose. C’mon, this is a Minnesota beer after all.
SRM: 9, ABV: 7.3% IBU: 70, Fl. Oz.: 16

Now on Nitro!

northgate-on-nitroMaggie’s Leap: Maggie’s Leap is NorthGate’s take on a traditional Milk Stout, made unique by exclusively serving it on nitrogen. Coffee roast flavor leads the way, supported by milk chocolate and residual sweetness presented on a soft palate. Did I forget to mention that this is Minnesota’s first nitro stout in a can? Seems as though a certain Irish behemoth may have some competition.
SRM: 38, ABV: 4.9%, IBU: 26 Fl. Oz.: 22

Pumpion: Pumpion – which is the Old English term for “pumpkin” – is our seasonal pumpkin spice beer. The addition of seasonal spices in the kettle combined with real pumpkin and vanilla result in the delicious taste of pumpkin pie with an English Pale Ale base. Sounds like the perfect beer for bonfire season.
SRM: 9, ABV: 6.0%, IBU: 38, Fl. Oz.: 22

Get Together: Get Together has an alcohol by volume (ABV) that could be considered passive, yet features an aggressive hop flavor. Overall, it’s an IPA that’s made for all of Minnesota. While the State Fair is in the rear view mirror, this beer that shares it’s nickname is here to stay.
SRM: 8, ABV: 4.4, IBU: 50, Fl. Oz: 16

These tasty brews are available right at the brewery or at a finer bottle, ahem, can shop near you.

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Culinary Veteran Taking The Helm at Grand Rounds Brewing

Grand Rounds Brewing Company & Restaurant, a neighborhood pub in the heart of downtown Rochester, has hired Jennifer Richards as kitchen manager. Richards, who grew up in nearby Plainview, brings an extensive and varied experience to the southern Minnesota favorite.

That experience started inauspiciously, with a burned cookbook. With that minor setback behind her, she began to excel at an early age. She rose through the ranks, graduating from the Culinary Arts Institute and spent time in the kitchens of the News Room Restaurant and Elegant Confections in the Twin Cities and The Broadstreet Cafe, City Cafe, and Sontes in Rochester.

It was at this time that Jennifer decided to strike out on her own. In 2008 she opened the Rainbow Cafe in Pine Island, Minnesota. During her tenure there, the restaurant featured an ever-changing seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. The menu that she has designed for Grand Rounds combines that approach with the brew pub’s beer friendly feel.

grand rounds brewpub

“I’m really excited to join Grand Rounds. The beer is phenomenal, their staff is strong and our local culinary scene is really booming right now. It’s a great time to love high- quality food and drink in Rochester and I’m so happy to be a part of it!” says Richards.

Richards not only brings substantial knowledge and experience to the position but starting October 3, she will be one of the first women in Rochester to hold a leadership position in a kitchen. Great beer with a creative kitchen to boot? Keep Grand Rounds Brewing Company & Restaurant on your radar.

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Summit Brewing: Truly Unchained

Can you believe that Summit Brewing has released 22 beers in their Unchained series. Quite the variety of styles in this portfolio. From dead on interpretations such as the Kölsch to truly unique brews such as Herkulean Woods, ale brewed with Minnesota malts and maple syrup plus spruce tips from Iowa. For Unchained 22, the Zingiber Cream Ale brewer Christian Dixon borrowed from a classic and made it truly unique.

New @summitbeer: Unchained 22 Cream Ale W/ Ginger #mnbeer #SummitBeer #beerthirty #Summit30 #Craftbeer #mn

A photo posted by Minnesota Beer Activists (@mnbeeractivists) on


With a truly American and truly crushable style does Mr. Dixon begin. Cream Ale, that half ale, half lager hybrid that everyone seems to want to cross the border is the base of this beer. Add to that Hawaiian ginger to give it a nice, bright spiciness and beer drinkers have quite the summer brew on their hands.

We can’t forget about those vitals, for homebrewers and aspiring Cicerone’s alike.

Zingiber Cream Ale Information
Malts: 2-Row, German Pils, C-15, German Cologne, Torrefied Wheat
Hops: Sterling, Mt. Hood
Kettle Additions: Fresh Organic Hawaiian Ginger
ABV: 5.3%
IBU: 35
Color: Harvest Gold
Yeast: Munich Lager II, American Ale II

This beer will be served everywhere fine craft beers are served, but check out some of the great kickoff events Summit has planned.

Summit Beer Hall
4 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday, June 10
Meet brewer Christian Dixon and taste Zingiber Cream Ale hooked up to a hop rocket full of fresh ginger
Live music by Dan Israel, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Keegan’s Irish Pub
4 p.m., Friday, June 17
Meet brewer Christian Dixon

So drink the beer, shake Christian’s hand and marvel at 22 truly unique and wonderful beers from this Minnesota brewing icon.

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Your First Peek At 2016 Surly Darkness Art

Darkness Falls Early

Like a beer geek guarding his cellar, so to did the legendary Cerberus guard the gates of the Underworld. The artwork for the annual Surly Darkness release has become quite legendary as well. Mummies, vampires, zombies and other such macabre creatures have graced the cover of this sought after stout. This year? Make way for the hounds of hell.

Minnesota-based artist, Adam Martin of BlueApple Studio fame has tapped into Greek mythology for inspiration in the latest edition of this sinister bottle art. When asked about how he felt being given the honor to cement his reputation among beer geeks far and wide, Mr. Martin said,

“I experienced equal parts excitement and fear after finding out I got the Darkness project. My hope is that what I made is well received by the community, and that it feels at home with the amazing Darkness illustrations from previous years.”

I think it’s a perfect addition to the Darkness artwork anthology. Mean as hell? Check. Would look great on a poster? Check. Just a touch of metal befitting a brewery that is lead by a headbanging guitarist (check out the skull inside the middle hound’s mouth). Check.

Some would say it’s what’s on the outside that counts, and with beer they may be right. Don’t over look this one however. Grab a bottle and really take in the hellish brilliance of the new bottle. You’ve only got 5 months to wait…

Surly Darkness 2016

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Summit Brews Up A Classic to Celebrate 30 Years

Summit Brewing is downshifting for their latest 30th anniversary brew. The Minnesota brewing pioneers kicked off their dirty thirty celebration by releasing a critically acclaimed double IPA. For an encore they’ve gone old school.

Just in time for summer, Summit 30th Anniversary Keller Pils is locked, stocked and ready to become your go-to beer of the Summer. Wyeast Laboratories, based in Oregon, sourced a traditional private collection Munich lager yeast strain, a the perfect canvas. Next, German Barke malts supply malty-sweet and honey undertones. Starting to get the picture? Yeah, you can see it, your favorite patio, that perfect Minnesota summer day, and this beer. But I digress. Now it’s hops turn. Tettnang, a slightly spicy and traditional noble hop variety brings balance and subtle bitterness to this party.

“For our anniversary year, we wanted to focus on the three C’s of quality: consistency, creativity and community,” said head brewer Damian McConn. “By working closely with our malt, hop and yeast suppliers, we’re able to produce four special beers that exemplify this motto.”

Combining that classic pilsner malt with traditional and modern German hop varieties in Summit’s copper brewhouse has allowed its brewers to produce a superb German-style pilsner, served unfiltered to allow for more flavor and character in the final glass.

And food? This beer isn’t just patio pounding (not that there’s anything wrong with that). It brings a bracing, palate-cleansing bitterness that refreshes. This beer is at home in the sea. Crab, clams, shrimp, oysters and lobster are accentuated. Spicy wings from your favorite neighborhood bar will find an equal pairing in this beer. And while it may not be a dead on pairing, you know want a hot dog with everything.

Keep an eye out for this one, on draught, in six-packs, 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, and at the following release parties:

Hops for Cops at Boom Island – 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, May 22; fundraiser for Minneapolis Mounted Police in collaboration with Ruth’s Chris
Elwoods – 5 p.m., Thursday, May 26
Hop 21 – 7 p.m., Thursday, June 2; ping pong tournament featuring $5 Summit pints
Mission American Kitchen & Bar – 4 p.m., Thursday, June 16

So fire up the grill, get out to your favorite patio, and make sure you’ve got a cold Summit 30th Anniversary Keller Pils in your glass.

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Badger Hill and Valleyfair Want To Take You On A Ride

Shakopee Minnesota institution, Valleyfair, is teaming with the new kid on the block, Badger Hill Brewing. The amusement park is celebrating its 40th anniversary and to mark this momentous event, Badger Hill is brewing up an exclusive beer. High Roller Extra Park Ale High Roller Extra Park Ale is modeled after an EPA style beer. It is malt-forward, easy drinking and perfect for a day at the park.

Unlike the thrill ride of the same name, this EPA won’t jerk you around. It’s balanced with just enough hop bitterness to cut through many of the park’s food offerings. Selecting the beer itself was a collaborative process, as Valleyfair’s marketing team had the enviable job of selecting from four Badger Hill offerings with which to commemorate 40 years of fun. In the end this easy drinking option won out and it’s not hard to see why. At 5.2% ABV and 43 IBUs it is approachable and just what Valleyfair was looking for. This beer is perfect for park regulars and beer tickers alike (remember, it’s exclusive to the park).

The weather is finally resembling something close to summer. What better way to spend it than a day at the amusement park? I’ll tell you, a day at Valleyfair with a cold local brew in hand.

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Things Becoming Clearer for Blacklist Artisan Ales

The brewery that plies its trade near arguably the most famous body of water in the state is teaming with a beverage company whose name reminds older readers of a brewery with a bear for a mascot. What am I getting at? When will I just get to the point? Alright fine. Let me clarify. Blacklist Artisan Ales, the latest in a long run of excellent brewers to expand their footprint into the Twin Cities, and the path to Minny and Paul couldn’t be any clearer.

Blacklist Artisan Ales

Blacklist is bringing their beautiful Belgian beers to the Twin Cities via Clear River Beverage Company. Clear River will distribute Blacklist brews to 17 counties within and surrounding the Twin Cities market including Aitkin, Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Benton, Sherburne, Isanti, Chisago, Wright, Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Carver, Scott, and Stearns.

So from St. Cloud to St. Paul and from Pine City to Princeton, bold Belgian beers made by brewers Blacklist will boost our bountiful beverage selection. Boy! Bottom line, Twin Cities denizens now have access to Tripels brewed with Green Tea, lemongrass, and honey, imperial rhubarb wits, and cocoa hefeweizens, just to name a few.