Tag Archives: Fulton Brewing

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Fulton Brewing Launches New Brand: Standard Lager

Fulton Brewing Looks to Set Standard With a New Lager

Fulton Brewing is launching a new brand: Standard Lager. Standard Lager is genuine all-malt beer, made from 2-row barley malt, American hops, and Pilsner yeast. We sat down with Ben Flattum, Fulton Brewing’s Twin Cities Market Manager to learn more.

Standard Lager

MN Beer Activists: What is Standard Lager?
Ben Flattum: Standard is our new year-round lager, it’s not just a beer for “beer people”, it’s a beer for PEOPLE. Period.

MNBA: Why a Lager?
Ben: When we looked at making a crushable affordable alternative to a lot of beers out there, a lager made perfect sense. It’s a familiar term for most folks and it leaves the cleanest finish possible. We have so much respect for brewers that can execute a clean lager, something that takes a lot of skill and consistency in a brewery. We’ve been wanting to make one forever, but with our additional tank space we have at our NE Mpls production spot, it finally made sense for us.


MNBA: But aren’t all lagers just fizzy yellow water?
Ben: The perception is obviously out there, but given that it’s just a yeast variety there are so many opportunities for more flavor than what the big guys have defined as a “lager” for most people. Given our 100% malt bill, with no adjuncts, and a solid American hop profile, this beer will stand out as flavor filled and drinkable as any beer you can get.

MNBA: A new brand under the Fulton flag? Similar to Sam Adams under Boston Beer Co?
Ben: More of an extension of Fulton than a new brand. We wanted to represent how approachable the beer was, without scaring folks off that are leery of trying Craft Beer. The branding is clean and straightforward, much like the beer itself. Firestone Walker has it figured out with their “805 Beer” brand extension and we are following in their footsteps.

MNBA: Couldn’t you just release Fulton Lager?
Ben: We absolutely could, and the beer is definitely everything Fulton represents. It’s a great representation of the style, clean and balanced. But we want to branch out beyond the current group of amazing Fulton loyalists, and this was a great way to do it.
standard-lager

MNBA: Can we expect more brands from Fulton?
Ben: Maybe something focused on sour or wild beer? — Fun fact, we actually have been working on our Mixed Culture Fermentation project at our downtown location for over a year. There are two different beers, almost ready to go. The other one, Tanager, is a 100% Barrel Fermented Brett IPA. We use some amazing strains of Brett, and it has an insane tropical flavor all around. It’s a year-round beer in our taproom and we hope to build on it some more. Definitely worth the trip.

MNBA: What is the concept behind the “standard” branding?
Ben: We wanted a classic look to a beer meant for everyone. In our mind, this beer is the “Standard” for what an easy drinking lager tastes like, and didn’t want to muddle it with an overly-complicated logo. The simplicity and clean nature of that logo is what makes it stand out, much like the beer itself. The tagline fits it so well, “Extraordinarily Uncomplicated” and the logo flies along that line.

MNBA: When is the beer coming out?
Ben: Draft starting September 9th, Tallboy Cans and 12 Pack Bottles in early October.

To learn more about Standard Lager visit: http://www.standardlager.com/

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A six-pack plus one to try for Fourth of July

Sun’s out, guns out. Eh, maybe not.

But, as we look to celebrate our independence on July 4 and the mercury nears its peak, a few staples quickly come to mind, including our favorite topic around here: beer.

As someone who admittedly steers towards IPAs and stouts (I mean, who doesn’t?), it’s sometimes difficult for me to enjoy too many “summer” beers. I’ve gone to work and compiled a list of six seven Minnesota beers I recently enjoyed and encourage you to give them a go for the long weekend. As always, you, too, can share in the fortune of these Minnesota-made beers as they are available at all the finest off-sale joints (as well as taprooms), with the exception of Lake Monster’s Serpent Summer Ale.

And, here’s my usual general disclaimer: I’m not a cicerone. I’m just a guy who likes beer and relies on liquor stores for most of my beer. I’m not often disappointed, as you’ve no doubt seen in previous posts (and will see in this one). Maybe I’m easy to please.

Breweries featured: Take 16 Brewing Co., Blacklist Artisan Ales, Waconia Brewing, Fulton Brewing, Indeed Brewing, Insight Brewing and Lake Monster Brewing.

Take 16 Brewing Co., Luverne

  • Hayloft, hefeweizen (12-ounce bottle)

take16

A small southwestern brewery growing its footprint, Take 16 Brewing Co. launched in 2014. It’s steadily expanded its beer and operations, starting bottling in late 2015. Their beers can now be found in Mankato and beyond (I’ve seen them in Lonsdale and Northfield).

Like some of its better counterparts sprinkled throughout Greater Minnesota, Take 16 is definitely worth tracking down. All of its beers are clean and refreshing, but for a hot, summer day on the water, grab their Hayloft hefeweizen. It’s quickly become a go-to for a style I don’t usually drink.

 

Blacklist Artisan Ales, Duluth

  • Makrut Wit, Belgian-style wheat ale (750-ml bottle)

Here’s another brewery in the midst of growth, including opening a new taproom in downtown Duluth (aiming for opening this summer). Blacklist focuses on small batches and brews in the Belgian tradition. All Blacklist beers come in a 750-ml bomber bottles and are corked. Any decent liquor store should have a row dedicated to these guys (many do), so they’re not hard to find.

They’ve earned the shelf; Makrut Wit, made with Makrut lime leaves, popped with a smooth fruit flavor, aided by coriander and orange peel. It was a real pleaser.

 

Waconia Brewing, Waconia

  • Paradise Island DIPA (750-ml bottle)

Here’s another specialty offer from Waconia Brewing, which focuses mostly on taproom-only releases. This DIPA, like Waconia’s previous release, Waconiator, is a nice beer. I may have held on to this beer a little long before opening it, but the 25.9-oz bottle still opened to and poured with a great aroma, and had a nice balance to the beer upon consumption. I’m not shy to say I had no problem drinking this solo in one (short) sitting. Like its predecessor, this beer, coming in at 9.8 percent ABV and 88 IBU, has limited availability and can most easily be found in the west metro. You may want to work up to this one as your shoulders brown (or, redden, as it were).

 

Fulton Brewing, Minneapolis

  • War & Peace, imperial coffee stout (12-ounce bottle)

Fulton probably doesn’t need much introduction to the initiated, but for those who haven’t had the privilege to check out their lineup, their beers are ones to check out.

For me, as a break from light, crisp (and sometimes hoppy) beers, I just need to dip my toes in a stout. Look no further than the War & Peace imperial coffee stout for a change of pace as the sun dips and the air cools. Or, if you’re on the boat for fishing at dawn, have at it. It does have coffee in its name, right?

 

Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis

  • Shenanigans Summer Ale (12-ounce can)

Another brewery that doesn’t need an introduction. Indeed’s annual summer offering, Shenanigans, is known as a crowd pleaser and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s a light-bodied beer (5 percent ABV) that has the wheat and Indeed-favorite honey flavors coming through, aided by the lemon and orange notes. Strongly endorsed for golfing, fishing and anything else above ground.

 

Insight Brewing, Minneapolis

  • In the Halls of the Sunken City, saison and sauv blanc grapes (16-ounce can)

Insight Brewing is quickly gaining a reputation for sleek branding, as well as sleek beer. All four of its mainstay offerings are good, but they may not be for everyone, mostly because the “average” beer drinker may be unfamiliar with and turned off by such ingredients as sauv blanc grapes or yuzu; to those people, I say just try it, then form an opinion.

The saison, made with sauv blanc grapes, is a palate pleaser. It’ll be a refreshing beverage as your steak slowly works toward perfection.

 

Lake Monster Brewing, St. Paul

  • Serpent Summer Ale (taproom only)

One of the rare Minnesota breweries that had distribution before a taproom, Lake Monster has been on the market for a few years and benefited from honing in their flagship beers before throwing out a bunch of recipes. Both the Calhoun Claw Pilsener and Empty Rowboat IPA, the latter in particular, have been heralded by many and for good reason. They’re just good, easy-drinking beers.

But you should make a visit to the Lake Monster taproom (sweet space) and pick up a growler of the Serpent Summer Ale, a Belgian wheat style ale. It has a very smooth, citrusy taste. It’s good on the front and back.

Cheers!