Tag Archives: Minneapolis

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10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer

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To celebrate Minnesota’s nationally recognized craft beer community, from May 5-11, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild presents 10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer, a week packed with more than 80 member events, from Minnesota tap takeovers on the North Shore to special firkin tappings in Southern Minnesota.

10,000 Minutes events include: tap takeovers, special releases, firkin tappings, cask tappings, block parties, beer art, and all-day happy hours. It’s the most Minnesota-specific craft beer events in one week ever. Events are being added every day, so for the latest, visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaCraftBrewersGuild

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Getting to know Insight Brewing with Ilan Klages-Mundt

Insight Brewing Maestro Ilan Klages-Mundt took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer our questions about his background, brewing, and the forthcoming Insight Brewing Company.

When did you start brewing?
In 2007, I traveled to Denmark with a list of the top 50 beers in the world. I walked into a bottle shop and asked the owner if they had #7 on the list, which was a Danish beer. The owner replied, “no,” but did mention that they had the #1 on the list, which was the Westvleteren 12, a Belgian Monastic brew. Having tried nothing like this in my life, before, I purchased two bottles and left. Later that day, I opened one of the bottles and had a true epiphany moment. The beer was out-of-this-world good, with complex, yet amazingly balanced characteristics! The sun seemed to start shining and my lip began to quiver. The beer really was that good!

From that moment onward, I knew that my calling was beer. I thought to myself, “Ilan, you MUST learn how beer is made, who makes it, where it came from, and what the history of this magical drink is!” Upon my return to the States, I hunkered down and began reading every brewing book I could get my hands on, while also joining a local brewing club, where I was by far the youngest member. This was the beginning of my brewing adventure, and the more learned, the deeper in love I became with the significance of beer and its cultures from around the world.

What is your “go to” commercially available beer?
It all depends on the situation, but I will readily grab Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout, Rodenbach Grand Cru, and Summit’s Saga IPA. I could list another several hundred more, but so could everyone else. There are a lot of great beers out there!

You pretty much traveled the globe brewing, biking, and documenting it on bikeforbeer.org. How big a role did it play in your decision to open a brewery?
My brewing began in college, where I was studying classical music and preparing to be a teacher. My professors saw the passion that I had for beer, and nearly forced me to apply for the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, a program that pays for recent graduates to travel around the world for a year studying what they are passionate about; the only rules were that you had to be passionate, as well as out of the country for a full year on your own. Continue reading Getting to know Insight Brewing with Ilan Klages-Mundt →

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Blessing of the Maibock at All Three Town Hall Locations

Maibock, the spring time seasonal beer that heralds the arrival of warmer weather and easier days for beer fans. Town Hall Brewery will embrace that annual tradition on Saturday, May 3, when they tap a Maibock to help Minnesota FINALLY put the winter of 2014 behind us.

Father Aron Kramer, Vicar at St. Andrew’s By the Lake, will perform a short blessing over the Maibock at each Town Hall location. In years past this tradition has at times been a bit crowded and sometimes hard to hear. With the new sound system and remodeling at Town Hall Brewery it should be more enjoyable at that particular location. Going all in on tradition, and in a nod to Maibock’s country of origin, the restaurants will be adding German food items to their menus for the celebration.

Join the celebration at the Town Hall Tap at 3 PM or Town Hall Lanes at 4 PM. Attendees will get one free Maibock and happy hour pricing. (FREE BEER!) The festivities at the Brewery start at 5 PM and include a blessing of the brewery and free Maibock until 6 PM.

Town Hall will also celebrate that other rite of spring, The Kentucky Derby, on May 3rd, as the Maibock ceremonies will be over before the 5:24 post time and the televisions will be tuned in.

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Introducing Bauhaus Brew Labs

A new destination brewery/taproom is opening in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis’ Brew District. At Bauhaus Brew Labs, beer fans will be able to enjoy uniquely crafted, German-inspired beers with a focus on lagers – lighter brews that don’t rely on heaviness for flavor. With these sessionable beers, Bauhaus is looking to become not just another taproom, but a gathering place for friends and family to share stories, ideas, revelry and excitement.

Bauhaus itself is truly a family endeavor, built slowly over years of laughter-filled weekends and holidays full of beers brewed specifically for each occasion. In the fall of 2012, Bauhaus’ founding family made the decision to share their world with others. The company took shape after embracing the tenets of the Bauhaus movement of early 20th-century Germany: blurring the line between work and play while celebrating the joy of art and craft in everyday life.

Focusing on brewing flavorful, intriguing, “forward-drinking” beers, Bauhaus crafts imaginative and unexpected interpretations of iconic beer styles with a primary focus on lagers. President and Head Brewer Matt Schwandt explains, “A lot of the craft lagers available today are very traditional. Bauhaus is looking beyond tradition to reimagine classic lager styles and give them new life. We want to expose beer fans to a whole new kind of lager beer.” With the help of Helms Workshop out of Austin, TX, the Bauhaus visual identity also looks beyond tradition in craft beer.
BauHaus Brewlabs Cans
Among Bauhaus’ core offerings are Wonderstuff Neü Bohemian Pilsner, Wagon Party West Cöast Style Lager and Stargrazer German Style Schwarzbier. Rounding out Bauhaus’ initial lineup is Sky-Five! Midwest Cöast IPA, a full-flavored ale that fuses German and British base malts with experimental hop varieties from around the globe. This rambunctious bunch of beers is the result of intense creativity and an exacting scientific approach that Bauhaus has developed over the years.

The brewery’s 2,000-square-foot taproom, with a future patio area of equal size, will be more than just a place that pours Bauhaus beer. “We’re building a taproom filled with energy and excitement,” says Vice President Lydia Haines. “One night, you might find three of the founders rocking on stage in the Haus band, Viva Knievel, or random strangers coming together on a Rick Astley duet during karaoke night.” Haines adds, “We also want beer fans to be a part of creating the space that they play in, to be involved every step of the way. There will be a big opportunity to do that in the coming weeks.”

In addition to its taproom and future patio, the company has its eyes on production and distribution. “The four Bauhaus core beers will be available to bars and restaurants right out of the gate,” says Schwandt. “We’ll be rolling out twelve-ounce cans around mid-summer.”

“Our brewery is really just an extension of who we are and all the things we love to do as a family,” Schwandt adds. “We’re proud and excited to open our doors, share our work and watch it become your brewery as well.”

Website: http://bauhausbrewlabs.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bauhausbrewlabs
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bauhausbrewlabs
Instagram: bauhausbrewlabs


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Looking for a Lyft in Minneapolis?

pink-moustache-lyft-deal-300x137Lyft, a ridesharing service based in San Francisco, began operating in Minneapolis last Thursday amid some push back from the city regarding potential licensing requirements. Lyft has experienced similar obstacles with other cities, including St Paul when they launched there last fall. Their business model involves a network of drivers and riders that utilize an app available for your iPhone or Android device. The driver may be compensated in the form of a requested donation notification that appears on your phone once the ride is complete.

My first experience with Lyft was on the Saturday before last Halloween. I spent the night with my wife and in-laws bar hopping through Lowertown St Paul. We closed down the bars and spent 45 minutes waiting for our cab to arrive. Just as we were about to call another cab, I remembered that I had downloaded an app for a new ride service. When I opened the Lyft app, it asked if I wanted to “Request a Lyft” and showed me the nearest driver. After choosing my driver, I received a phone call from him verifying our address. In five minutes, he arrived in a shiny black Audi A4 and invited me to sit up front. On the ride home, we talked about cars and our driver made sure that the temperature was comfortable for all the passengers. We arrived home safe and, upon entering the house, I received a notification on my phone requesting a suggested donation and the ability to tip and rate our driver. I was officially sold! I suggest Lyft to everyone I meet.

Some Minneapolis city officials have taken issue with Lyft’s business description and contend that they are a “taxi service” and should be bound to all licensing requirements as such. However, Lyft’s unique donation model and user review system could actually make it better than a taxi, and their background requirements might make them safer than taxis, too. Lyft has responded by “offering free rides for the next two weeks to all new app downloaders.” and a petition was started to “welcome ridesharing to Minneapolis”: http://chn.ge/1fuxKte

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St. Patrick’s Day Rally for Sunday Liquor Sales at First Avenue Featuring Romantica, White Iron Band, Silverback Colony and More!

Consumer rights advocacy group MN Beer Activists are proud to announce its inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Rally for Sunday liquor sales at the First Avenue mainroom at 7 pm on March 17, 2014. Featuring music from Romantica, White Iron Band, Silverback Colony and Mark Andrew, the event will raise money for the Minnesota Beer Activists’ efforts to legalize Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages in Minnesota.

“The mission of the MN Beer Activists is to raise awareness of alcohol-related issues that are outdated or harmful to consumers,” said MN Beer Activists director Andrew Schmitt. “The biggest of these is the prohibition on Sunday Sales, which literally sends money over our borders every single week. This concert is the highest-profile event we’ve ever done, and it should also be the most fun!”

St Patricks Day Rally for Sunday liquor Sales in MinnesotaThe St. Patrick’s Day concert event will feature performances by NBC’s The Voice contestant Mark Andrew, Silverback Colony, White Iron Band and Romantica and be hosted by Ian Rans of Drinking With Ian. The event will also feature opportunities to sign the MN Beer Activists’ Sunday Sales petition at SundaySalesMN.org, purchase MN Beer Activists merchandise and several other surprises.

Tickets for Rally for Sunday Sales are available now for $10 and will be $15 at the door.

Proceeds from the concert benefit the MN Beer Activists. For more information, visit SundaySalesMN.org or mnbeeractivists.com

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Harriet Brewing now Available in Bottles

Harriet Brewing BottlesHarriet Brewing is now selling corked and caged 750ml bottles of their Belgian-style brews. This is great news for fans of the south Minneapolis brewery.

The brewery has always sold 64 oz growlers to go, but 750ml bottles will make it easier to enjoy the craft beer without having to commit to an afternoon of drinking. In addition to friendlier serving size the new bottles will allow you to cellar Dark Abbey Divine Oculusts, something you couldn’t really do before.

Bottles of West Side are $9, dark Abbey and Divine Oculust are $10. The bottles are only available at the brewery for the time being.

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Minnesota Beer Activists Bash at Dangerous Man Brewing Co. Dec 14th

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archaicJoin MN Beer Activists Saturday, December 14th, from 12p-6pm, at Dangerous Man Brewing Company for a fundraiser of epic proportions. Minnesota’s consumer beer organization is raising capital to help pay for some the group’s operational expenses the only way they know how: with a party.

The event, sponsored by Zoss Media and Loop Commercial Advisors, will feature a Belgian Blonde Ale named “Achaic” as nod to some of Minnesota’s antiquated liquor laws.

A number of Minnesota brewers, liquor stores, and supporters have donated items for a silent auction. The silent auction items range from autographed Minnesota Vikings memorabilia, to art, a private brewer’s reception, and an opportunity to brew a commercial beer with Dangerous Man Brewing.


Local food vendor Potter’s Pasties & Pies are catering the event with traditional savory English pastries filled with meat and/or vegetables. A perfect fit for a chilly afternoon in Minneapolis.

In addition to the food, beer, and silent auction items, Shameless Inc. Screen Printing will be live screen printing t-shirts on site featuring original artwork from Enoch Peterson from 12pm-4pm

Minnesota Beer Activists Bash at Dangerous Man Brewing Co