Tag Archives: beer

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Summer on the mind with Summit Boundary Waters Box

It’s going to be a good couple of seasons for Minnesotans.

A couple old-time favorites are making a return in April as part of Summit’s Boundary Waters Box, including Summit’s Hefeweizen and Keller Pils, which debuted last year. That duo is joined by the always enjoyable Summer Ale and a debuting Summit Wit Bier. Each 12-ounce beer will be represented three times in the variety pack.

First introduced in 2002, the classic German wheat beer hasn’t been brewed by Summit since 2011.

“This classical style was first developed by the brewers of Bavaria, Germany, to refresh thirsty beer lovers during hot continental European summers,” says Summit head brewer Damian McConn. “It was one of our very first seasonal beers, and with its effervescent, slightly dry finish, beautiful golden haze, and billowing head of foam atop the glass, this is truly one of the most refreshing beer styles available.”

Summit says its Wit Bier will feature a light body and a slightly dry, tart finish.

“Wit Biers contain significant amounts of protein and yeast in suspension,” says Damo. “They’re typically lightly hopped and lower in alcohol, containing pale malt, malted and unmalted wheat, and a touch of oats for mouthfeel and body. Our Summit Wit Bier follows this traditional profile, with small amounts of orange peel, grains of paradise, and fresh-ground coriander enhancing the final beer’s citrus and herbal qualities.

“For a unique spin on this world classic,” Damo adds, “we’ve used 100 percent Mandarina Bavaria hops and an obscure Belgian white yeast strain for aromas of peach, apricot, and additional citrus refreshment.”

The Boundary Waters Box will be released the first week of April.


Summit Hefeweizen information
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: 18
Color: Harvest Gold (7L)
Malts: German Pils, US Pils, US Wheat, Carapils, Carawheat
Hops: Tettnang
Yeast: German Ale Yeast
Serving Tips: Serve at 38–42ºF in a Hefeweizen glass. Skip the lemon wedge and instead pair your Hefe with traditional German dishes like weisswurst, wiener schnitzel, and spaetzle. Also try white fish, chicken flautas, or Bavarian salad.

Summit Wit Bier information
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: 15
Color: Pale Straw (5L)
Malts: Pils Malt, Wheat Malt, Acidulated Malt, Raw Wheat, Flaked Oats
Hops: Mandarina Bavaria
Kettle Additions: Orange peel, grains of paradise, fresh-ground coriander
Yeast: Belgian Ale Yeast
Serving Tips: Serve in a stemmed wheat beer glass at 38–42F. Pair with shellfish, steamed mussels, gruyere cheese, fruit salad, goat’s cheese omelet, or white pizza.

Summit Keller Pils
IBUs: 38
ABV: 5.1%
Color: Pale Straw (4L)
Malts: Weyermann Barke Pilsner Malt
Hops: Tettnang, Huell Melon
Yeast: German Lager
Serving Tips: Serve in a Pilsner glass. Pair with foods like Caesar salad bites, grilled meat with chimichurri sauce, pork belly, or street tacos.

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Modist Brewing Co. begins distribution

The Twin Cities beer market is about to be modified.

Modist Brewing Co., the North Loop brewery that does brewing just a little differently than the rest of the crowd, goes to market on Thursday, March 7 with its first two 16-ounce can releases. Previously, crowlers have been available in select stores, but the release of First Call, a cold press coffee lager, and Dream Yard, an American IPA, represents the brewery’s first true-to-form multi-pack beer bliss with four packs.

About that beer ..

First Call, according to Modist, uses “barley and oats to create a light, clean beer with a nice full body, the infuse it with an outstanding espresso roast from local coffee roasters Welsey Andrews.”

Dream Yard, on the other hand, is a hazy, juicy American IPA that is created through the brewery’s “ability of our mash filter system to create a grain bill that is almost entirely oats and wheat. The properties of the grain create a fantastic haze that helps to lock in the aromas and flavors from an insane amount of Citra and Denali hops.”

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Harpoon Brewery entering Minnesota

An East Coast favorite will soon be available in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Massachusetts-based Harpoon Brewery is partnering with J.J. Taylor Distributing Company, bringing the New England-brewed beer to the Twin Cities.

Known for its Harpoon IPA, Minnesota is the first new state in eight years for Harpoon Brewery to expand to.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about bringing our beer to Minnesota,” said Harpoon CEO and co-founder Dan Kenary. “There’s a fantastic craft beer scene here, and we’re excited to add some New England flavor to it. Drinking beer in the Twin Cities and the north woods over the years, I’ve seen that there are many like-minded beer drinkers out here, who love beer and love life like we do.”

Harpoon Winter Warmer and a new year-round golden ale, called Harpoon Sweet Spot, are also expected to enter the market, according to the company. The brewery will also kick winter into high gear with its seasonal ‘Tis the Seasonal Winter Mix, which includes the aforementioned beers and its Vanilla Bean Porter.

J.J. Taylor is happy to add to its offerings.

“We are excited to expand our outstanding portfolio with the world class beers from Harpoon Brewery,” stated Chris Morton, President of J.J. Taylor Distributing Company of MN, Inc. “We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

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Summit Brewing Releases West London-Style Ale

Summit Brewing has been releasing some unique beers in celebration of their 30th Anniversary. They started with a Double IPA and followed that up with Keller Pils. Now, introducing the 30th Anniversary West London-Style Ale.

Summit Brewing's 30th Annivesary: West London-Style Ale
Summit Brewing’s 30th Anniversary: West London-Style Ale

West London-Style Ale is a British-Style Best Bitter concocted by Summit Brewing Head Brewer, Damian McConn. McConn used English classic Marris Otter malt combined with traditional and modern hop varieties to produce a medium-bodied toasty English Ale that weighs in at 4.6 ABV. This is a delicious summer patio beer that you don’t want to pass up.

Summit’s release party will be at Brit’s Pub in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday, Aug 7 from 10am – 4pm. The inaugural keg will be tapped along with live music by Freddie Manton & The Southsiders and Hard Day’s Night Beatles Tribute Band. West London-Stye Ale will be available on tap at your local pub and in cans at retail stores the second week of August.

Summit continues their 30th Anniversary celebration with their annual Backyard Bash. Summit Backyard Bash is happening Saturday, September 10 from Noon-8pm in the back of the brewery at 910 Montreal Circle in St Paul. Tickets are available for $30 in advance and $40 the day of the event.

Cheers, mate!

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What (Minnesota beer) I’ve been drinking …

Featured: Boom Island Brewing Company, Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Indeed Brewing Company, Lift Bridge Brewing Co., Sociable Cider Werks.

Because of my geographic location (I live in Northfield), I tend to seek out Minnesota beers I can pick up from local liquor stores or in the metro area when I’m up that way.

It’s been a busy month or so of experiencing new beers. Like most beers, I can find a positive in most brews because, well, I like beer. Fortunately, I didn’t have to fall to the lowest threshold to enjoy any of the following beers that I had the pleasure of consuming in recent weeks.

Django Hop Bier
Boom Island Brewing Company

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From the brewery in northeast Minneapolis with a cozy taproom, Django Hop Bier is a nice offering that’s hard to know what you’re getting yourself into. Even for those of us who a step above laymen (I hope?), when you read hop in the beer name, you immediately have a flavor profile in mind. This had a nice, delicate touch to it that was easy to get down. It’s perfect for this time of year when, we hope, we start experiencing a series of nice afternoons and evenings (or mornings, if that’s your kind of thing).

According to Boom Island:

Crafted with Wai-iti hops, pilsner and wheat malt, and a hint of citrus, this hoppy number moves to its own rhythm.

ABV: 6 percent
IBU: 39
Available: 11.2 oz. four-packs and on draft

Raspberry Roselle
Fair State Cooperative Brewing

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I’ll just get this out there: I’ve not yet jumped on the sour train. I’ve read and heard time and time again that sours are “the next IPA.” I’m not so sure. I don’t dislike sours; perhaps I just haven’t found one that tickles me in the right places.

That said, I did enjoy the Raspberry Roselle from Fair State Co-op. It wasn’t too tart for me, which is the issue I’ve run into. Though I enjoyed the better part of the 750 ml bottle, I don’t know if I would have been able to handle much more of it. That’s more of an indictment on me than the beer. It was smooth, sweet and popped with flavor. At no point was it overwhelming. It’s by far the best sour I’ve had.

According to Fair State:

“We re-fermented our year-round Hibiscus Sour Saison, Roselle, with a whole bunch of raspberries. The result is a fruit-forward, rose-hued beer that’s distinctly juice and dry, with increased acidity.”

ABV: 5.8 percent
IBU: 19
Available: 750 ml bottles (if still around – check out their other beers, too!)

Lavender Sunflower Honey Dates Honey Ale (not LSD)
Indeed Brewing Company

IMG_4007

Controversy over the name aside, LSD (for simplicity’s sake) is a smooth 16 oz. trip that can be enjoyed in myriad settings: Porch swing, golfing (guilty) or on the boat (hoping to be guilty of soon). Having not previously sipped this one, I wasn’t sure what to expect with the advertised name of so many ingredients, many of which I can’t say I consume all that often – or at all. They work together.

Indeed, one of the shining stars in a galaxy of worthy Minnesota breweries, clearly knows what it’s doing. I had faith, even with some trepidation. Go pick this one up and enjoy it. You can also appreciate the artwork, something of a staple for the Minneapolis brewery.

According to Indeed:

“Hello, beautiful stranger. A kaleidoscopic spiral of Lavender, Sunflower honey, and Dates, LSD sets the stage for a mind-bending beer experience as electrifying floral aromas dance atop rich notes of fruit and honey. Are you experienced?”

Malts: Pale, Carafoam, White Wheat, Honey Malt, Meloidin
Hops: Willamette Yeast: American Ale II Specialty
Ingredients: Lavender, Sunflower honey, dates

ABV: 7.2 percent
IBU: 20
Available: 16 oz. four-pack cans and draft

 

93X Brotherhood Beer
Life Bridge Brewing Company

IMG_4005

I didn’t know what to expect here. Like most, um, “craft” drinkers, this wouldn’t be the first beer I grabbed based on its description. But I like a challenge. I’ve also learned to trust Lift Bridge as a company that has a pretty good handle on its product, so that quelled some of my concern.

It’s an American lager, but, after trying the 93X Brotherhood Beer, it could easily be my go-to American lager in a pinch. It was clear, crisp and went down well. It’s clearly a notch above its larger brewery counterparts.

A collaboration beer with the 93X Half-Assed Morning Show, portions of the profits “benefit the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, a community-supported fund that financially supports deployed Minnesota military personnel, their spouses and children with grants during times of extraordinary financial hardship.”

ABV: 4.5 percent
IBU: 15
Available: 16 oz. four-packs and on draft.

Freewheeler, Hop-a-Wheelie, Spoke Wrench
Sociable Cider Werks

IMG_4006

I’ve got a three-for-one here.

Like most people, I’ve had cider – both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety, and largely by a large maker. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Sociable Cider Werks, a fast-growing, popular destination for Minnesota consumers. I’m open to experimentation, but I wasn’t sure what a cider with added hops and grains would do. Sociable says it adds bitterness and body, which makes sense.

“The result is tart, dry and flavorful with a well-balanced body. It’s not your typical cloyingly sweet macro-cider. It’s decidedly different. It’s Sociable,” its website reads.

So, how do they taste?

My favorite was Freewheeler, Sociable’s dry apple offering. It was light, easy to drink and had a nice feeling as it went down. To me, this was probably what tastes most like a cider when I think of it, right or wrong. Sociable says this one is its closest to a traditional European cider.

Closely following was Hop-a-Wheelie Hopped Apple, which takes their “signature tart and dry apple flavor and adds a brewer’s hoppy flair that will give you a new appreciation for what a cider can do for your tastes buds.” It was tasty, and I would recommend it.

By default, Spoke Wrench Stout Apple was third for me. I did enjoy it, just not as much as the other two. It’s a hybrid, clearly, of a cider and “a hearty stout brewer’s wort that we then co-ferment using a traditional English ale yeast.” There should be some chocolate and toffee notes, but my limited palate only pulled out some toffee. Still enjoyable, though.

Available: All in 16 oz. four-packs and on draft.

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Lift Bridge’s Irish Coffee Stout

St. Patrick’s Day 2016 may be a date of the past, but don’t that keep you from tracking down Lift Bridge Brewing Co.’s stellar Irish Coffee Stout.

Lift Bridge Brewery Irish Coffee Stout

This tasty beer from the Stillwater-based brewery returned for the fifth year and it’s as good as it’s ever been. You’ll want to find it in your favorite liquor store in 750 ml bottles or catch it on tap at Lift Bridge’s taproom before it’s ushered out of the rotation for the year.

Here’s how Lift Bridge describes the deep, delicious beer:

Morning, noon, night – any time is the right time for this delightful combination of whiskey, coffee and cream. Russian Imperial Stout is aged in whiskey barrels and blended with a big Milk Stout, before it’s finished off with local free trade organic roasted coffee. You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate this labor of love, but you’ll certainly feel the luck. Great with desserts, including chocolate cake and cheesecake.

Breaking down the beer
Malts: Roasted malts
Additions: Cold press coffee, barrel aged
ABV: 8.5 percent
IBU: 50
Color: 70

 

 

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Q & A: Meetinghall Brewery in Dundas

More and more breweries are opening outside of the Twin Cities and throughout Greater Minnesota.

One such planned operation is Meetinghall Brewery in Dundas, a small city nestled against Northfield, about 45 miles south of Minneapolis.

Head brewer and purveyor Andrew Burns recently chatted with Minnesota Beer Activists about the brewery’s plans.

Aerial Brewing Garage New windows Floorplan Interior Perspective Trellised Patio Area Wintertime Deck View OS_Apiary_Imperial_V1_Label_REV OS_Barrel-Aged_Imperial_Stout_V1_Label_REV OS_Belgian_Sour_V1_Label_REV OS_Graff_Imperial_V1_Label_REV OS_Sour_Cherry_Quad_V1_Label_REV

Tell us about the genesis of Meetinghall Brewery. What is your brewing experience?

Well, before pursuing this endeavor, I was a professional touring musician. I toured all over North America and Europe, playing some pretty cool music festivals. Along the way I always made a point of sampling the local beer, and was an avid homebrewer whenever I was home (which wasn’t often).

About a year and a half ago, it was time for a change. After I hung up my touring hat, I decided to look for a way to pursue my other great passion — brewing — full time. I found out that some people from the beer industry wanted to put a brewery in the Northfield and Dundas area, where I was involved with local homebrewers, and decided to jump on board with the project.

Since then, I’ve gone to Siebel Brewing School in Chicago to learn about brewing on a commercial scale. I’ve started to refine my recipes developed from my years as a homebrewer, and have had a chance to get samples out to people in the industry and everyday folks in Dundas and Northfield. The response has been very positive, and I’m excited to scale these recipes up for our commercial system.

Originally, you were known as Meetinghouse Brewery. Why the name change?

The site we’re on is steeped in history. The building dates to 1875, and has been everything from a Sunday school to a jail. It’s been a township hall, and a polling place, and we wanted to honor that history in our name. Originally, we settled on Meetinghouse, but then found a few other companies already using that name.

With some more digging, we found that the original Dundas citizens using the building as a Sunday school would’ve called it a “Hall.” So there were a few reasons to change the name, and we decided that Meetinghall was a better fit.

Who’s involved now?

I’m the primary creative force developing our beers, but I’m not alone. We’ve got a few owners invested from the community — Tom Hinman and Trudi Lloyd, as well as some other owners who all work in the beer industry.

Where are you guys in the process now?

We’re just in the final stages of securing all of our funding, after which it will be off the races. Once we’re fully funded, we’ll begin construction on the two buildings and the installing of brewery and taproom hardware.

What kind of beers do you plan to focus on?

I brew high quality American ales, with influences from Belgian and other European ales. I believe that beer recipes should highlight ingredients, not obscure them, and so my recipes are simple, with surprising depth of flavor and aroma.

I don’t necessarily set out to “brew to style,” but I am instead always thinking about flavor combinations. I get inspiration from foods, other drinks, and even music! The end result of my recipes tend to be comfortably within the range of accepted styles, but I’m not about the stylebook, I’m about the ingredients.

Our taproom will have four year-round beers, and a rotating list of seasonals. Our current lineup of year-round beers is a Kolsch-style light ale, a Belgian Blond, an Oatmeal Stout and an IPA.

In addition to the beers offered on draft, we plan to also launch an “Old School” line of high-alcohol bottled beer. These 750 ml bottles will be big ageable beers, many of them true sour beers.

So, you could say my style is diverse, but really it’s about producing high-quality ales, whatever shape they take.

Tell me about your plans for your space.

The site in Dundas has two buildings, the original 1875 Hall, and a detached large garage building. The garage building will house the brewing equipment, and the meetinghall itself will be the taproom. We plan to renovate the interior of the taproom, while preserving its historic character. In addition to that, there will be a spacious deck facing the Cannon River, which will more than double the capacity of the taproom.

Is distribution part of the plan?

Yes. We are partnered with College City, also in Dundas, to handle our draft accounts in southern Minnesota. We are also partnered with Bernick’s to handle distribution of our Old School line of 750 ml bottles, which could potentially cover most of Minnesota.

What will differentiate Meetinghall in the ever-increasing local beer landscape?

First of all, I think it’s about time that people in Northfield and Dundas had a brewery in their backyard. The community we’re serving wants a brewery to rally behind. So while the Twin Cities might be saturated with new breweries, southern Minnesota deserves its own brewery boom, and we’re on the front edge of that.

In addition to being a locally focused brewery, I’m going to stand behind my product. Every time you stop by our taproom, you’ll find a few beers you recognize, and a few beers that are new, but you’ll know that we’re about quality first and foremost.

Our Old School line is going to be pretty unique for Minnesota. It’s focused on agreeability. It’s something that you can easily put in your cellar for a special occasion, and will only improve with age.

Is there a loose goal for opening? By now, everyone knows that there are a few bumps along the way and projected openings almost always are delayed.

Loosely, middle to late summer.

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It’s time to Let It Ride again

Just in time for the spring thaw and eventual dog days of summer, Indeed Brewing Company’s Let It Ride IPA is hitting the shelves of your favorite liquor store.

I got my hands on the release, which is reskinned this year with art from Minneapolis-based Chuck U, a frequent Indeed collaborator. It didn’t disappoint – the beer or the design.

Indeed Brewing Let It Ride IPA

The pungent smell (in a good way) and tropical taste work in unison to offer a pleasing experience, a good balance for a new approach to the beer.

“There’s a bunch of aroma in these new varieties of hops that we weren’t getting from hops even a few years ago,” said Josh Bischoff, Indeed head brewer. “Expect big fruity aromas containing, but not limited to, dank citrus, pineapple, blueberry and tropical fruits.”

Indeed you should. I did. Now, I’m far from a cicerone, so you don’t have to take my word from it. Head out and pick up a six-pack to check it out for yourself.

Also for a limited time, you can find Let It Ride packaged in a special six-pack with Let It Roll, Indeed’s winter IPA offering. It is, indeed, hard to go wrong here.

Beer breakdown
ABV: 6.8 percent
IBU: 90
Malt: Pale, medium crystal, Munich, Dextrin, Caramel 80
Yeast: American Ale II
Hops: Mosaic, Calypso, El Dorado
Visual: Copper color
Aroma: Pear, tropical fruit, blueberry
Taste: Big fruity IPA with a satisfying body
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied