Tag Archives: Summit Brewing

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Minnesota Breweries Win Medals at 2016 Great American Beer Festival

Five Minnesota Craft Breweries Earn Medals at Great American Beer Festival

Five Minnesota craft breweries were recently honored at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in Denver — the nation’s premier beer festival and competition. These hometown heavy hitters held their own against 7,227 beer entries from 1,752 breweries nationwide.

Fan favorites and cornerstones of Minnesota beer culture, Summit Brewing and Surly Brewing brought home gold medals this year. Bemidji Brewing, Jack Pine Brewery, and first-year entrant Roundhouse Brewery took home bronze medals for their yeoman’s efforts.

Minnesota breweries earning gold medals

• Summit Brewing Co. (St. Paul), “Extra Pale Ale” — Classic English-Style Pale Ale (38 entries)

summit-brewing-2016-gabf
Photo © 2016 Jason E. Kaplan

• Surly Brewing Co. (Brooklyn Center / Mpls), “Barrel-Aged Darkness” — Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout (131 entries)

surly-brewing-2016-gabf
Photo © 2016 Jason E. Kaplan

Minnesota breweries earning bronze medals

• Bemidji Brewing Co. (Bemidji), “German Blonde Ale” — Golden or Blonde Ale (115 Entries)
• Jack Pine Brewery (Baxter), “Vengeance! Jalapeno Cream Ale” — Chili Beer (112 entries)
• Roundhouse Brewery (Brainerd), “Runaround Rye Ale” — Rye Beer (81 entries)

“It has become a tradition for Minnesota breweries to be honored at this prestigious competition,” says Tom Whisenand, President of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. “This recognition reinforces that Minnesota is a great state for beer. Minnesotans can be proud of these local businesses that are representing their communities.”

Other Recent Minnesota GABF winners

Minnesota 2015 GABF Medalists:
August Schell Brewing Co. (New Ulm), Bemidji Bewing Company (Bemidji), Bent Paddle Brewing Co. (Duluth), Fitger’s Brewhouse (Duluth), Fulton Brewng (Minneapolis), Mankato Brewery (Mankato), Steel Toe Brewing (St. Louis Park).

Minnesota 2014 GABF Medalists:
Badger Hill Brewing (Shakopee), Bent Paddle Brewing Co. (Duluth), Indeed Brewing (Minneapolis), Steel Toe Brewing (St. Louis Park), Summit Brewing Co. (St. Paul) and Town Hall Brewery (Minneapolis).

A full list of Great American Beer Festival winners can be found here: https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/winners/

Related: Minnesota BeerCast talks with Pete Rifakes from Town Hall Brewery and Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild.

http://minnesotabeercast.com/episodes/live-minnesota-state-fair/

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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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Father’s Day Gift Ideas for the Dad that Loves Craft Beer

Father’s Day is nearly here. Dad isn’t always easy to buy for. And let’s face it, he only needs so many ties. Luckily your father likes beer. We have some great gift ideas for the dad that loves craft beer.

1. Get Dad a Growler from NorthGate Brewing

Growler fills at NorthGate Brewing are just $10 Father’s Day weekend. We recommend the Twice Told IIPA. It’s the biggest bang for your beer buying buck, just make sure to watch Pops around the BBQ.

2. Hayes’ Public House Indiegogo Rewards

Hayes’ Public House is expanding and using Indiegogo to raise some of the funds. There are lots of packages to choose from. The rewards range from posters to bottles, to brewer for a day, and beyond.

3. Father’S Day All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Buffet in the Surly Brewing Beer Garden


Full Details: http://surlybrewing.com/events/fathers-day-all-you-can-eat-bbq-buffet/
You don’t need a reservation or a table, just come right on through and get down to it, we even recommend bringing a picnic blanket to enjoy the garden. The first 200 Dads get a Surly Dad Can Koozie. It’s $28 per adult, $14 for under 12’s, and under 5’s eat FREE.
WHAT: Father’s Day All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Buffet in The Surly Beer Garden
WHEN: Sunday, 6/19, 11am – 4pm
WHERE: Surly Beer Garden, 520 Malcolm Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
MENU:
Beer Can Smoked Chicken
Porchetta Sausage Links
Potato Salad
Elote (Grilled Mexican Corn on the Cob)
Sides
Desserts
BONUS:
Surly Executive Chef Jorge Guzman talks all things beer and BBQ on the Minnesota BeerCast.

4. Book Dad a Brewery Tour


Dad deserves an afternoon touring taprooms and the tours at Bitter Minnesota are great way to put someone else in the driver’s seat. Get him a gift certificate he can use later, or surprise Dad with a group package join him!
http://bitterminnesotabrewerytours.com/join-in-tour/

5. Get Dad tickets to the Summit Brewing Backyard Bash 30th Anniversary Celebration

Summit Brewing Backyard Bash
Summit Brewing has been kicking ass and taking names for a long time (kind of like dear old Dad). They are celebrating all year long with special events, special anniversary brews, and of course, the Annual Backyard Bash. The celebration is bigger than ever this year.
When: Saturday, September 10, 2016 Noon-8pm
Where: Behind the brewery at 910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul
Cost: $30 in advance/$40 day of (cash only at gate)
Menu:
Anchor Fish & Chips
World Street Kitchen
Black Forest
Pizza Lucé
Bennett’s
Signature on Wheels
21+ (Children 12 & under are permitted with 21+ adult, no cover for kids)
Rain or Shine (no refunds)

A portion of ticket sales go directly to the Minnesota Music Coalition (MMC), a nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting Minnesota’s independent music community.

Live music by:
Bob Mould
Bully
deM atlaS
Bad Bad Hats
Apollo Cobra
Nooky Jones
Hotpants DJs

Full details and tickets at http://www.summitbrewing.com/backyard-bash

6. We Want Beer On Sundays! T-shirt

Father’s Day falls on Sunday. Coincidence? We think not. The folks at MPLS / STP Clothing Co. have made a shirt that Dad will be proud to wear any day of the week.
Order it here.

Have a great Father’s Day gift idea that we missed? Let us know in the comments section below!

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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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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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Summit Brewing Unchained #21: Us and Them

Both threads of Unchained 21
Both threads of Unchained 21

The latest Summit Unchained release is on its way to stores near you.  This time, in the 21st of the series, Summit’s brewer Gabe Smoley has produced Us and Them, a “Two Thread Brewing Experience.”  Based on the popular Sága IPA, this release is made of two beers; an American IPA and a session IPA.

Gabe has started with the grain bill of Sága and created two distinct beers.  Using a technique known as “Parti-gyle,” the same grain bill was used to produce a stronger, first “thread,” and a second, sessionable “thread.”  Then, using the same hops in different ways, the two threads were brewed in a way that really provides a unique experience, and a unique take on Sága, a familiar local beer.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Sága, so I was excited to dig into the first thread.

The first thread, the American IPA
The first thread, the American IPA

The American IPA portion of this beer is the bolder of the two.  It’s a bit darker in color, with a bigger malt presence.  Biscuit and caramel back up the beer.  The carbonation is slightly more pronounced than the second thread.  Hops are definitely reminiscent of what you get in Sága.  There are some Citra and Amarillo present, but the biggest hop presence is the Rakau hop.  This is a New Zealand hop that tastes a bit like dried apricot.  While this is the stronger of the two threads, it’s not a huge beer by any means.  At 7.2% ABV, this feels very much like Sága turned up just a touch.

Next, the session IPA.

Thread 2
Thread 2, the Session IPA

Thread 2 pours just a bit lighter.  The malt profile is similar but definitely favors biscuity flavors over any caramel.  While the same hops are used here, they are used differently.  Citra is much more prominent in this thread, with it’s oily, melon fruitiness.  This is the Session IPA, so drinks a little lighter, at 4% ABV. The Citra stands out quite a bit, though, so this doesn’t drink quite as easily as your standard session beer.  When drinking this side by side against the first thread, it’s really interesting that you can taste the same things in either beer, but just balanced differently enough to really stand out.

The two beers really are different expressions of a familiar beer.  It’s kind of a salute to beer nerds that Gabe has shown how much difference can be made with small changes to a beer.  I’m a regular drinker of Sága, and drinking these two beers really opened my eyes to what goes into my go to IPA.  Look for six and twelve packs of Unchained #21 hitting stores soon, packaged with both threads.

By the numbers:

Thread 1

  • Malts: 2-row pale, Caramel
  • Hops: Horizon, Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, Rakau (Rakau dry-hop)
  • ABV: 7.2%
  • IBU: 90

Thread 2

  • Malts: 2-row pale, Caramel
  • Hops: Horizon, Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, Rakau (Citra dry-hop)
  • ABV: 4%
  • IBU: 55

Sága (for comparison)

  • Malts: 2-row pale, Caramel
  • Hops: Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, Rakau (Amarillo, Citra, Rakau dry-hop)
  • ABV: 6.2%
  • IBU: 80

Links:

From the brewery

Upcoming tasting events

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Beer Careers

Yes, we all know you have always wanted to work in a brewery. Here is your chance. The beer industry is growing in Minnesota and across the nation. That growth brings jobs and opportunity. Good luck in your endeavors, just please don’t waste the time of people making delicious beer by applying if you are not qualified.

Omni Brewing is looking for a Taproom Lead
http://www.omnibrewing.com/#!careers/

Upstart Modist Brewing is looking to fill a variety of positions.
http://modistbrewing.com/jobs/

Jackpine Pine Brewery is hiring a Taproom Manager.
http://www.jackpinebrewery.com/#!careers/c22hx

Forthcoming Cedar Island Brewing is looking for a brewer.
https://www.facebook.com/CedarIslandBrewing/posts/165371307165309

Schell’s is filling the position of MN Distribution Manager.
http://schellsbrewery.com/job-openings/

Summit Brewing in St.Paul needs an Inventory Control Assistant
http://www.summitbrewing.com/employment?job=430

Insight Brewing is looking for a Head Brewer
http://www.insightbrewing.com/about/

LynLake Brewery is hiring a General Manager.
http://www.lynlakebrewery.com/contact

Did we miss any beer jobs? Add them to the comments section below.

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Utepils Brewing® Announces Eric Harper as Head Brewer

Press Release – 

Minneapolis, Minn.: Utepils Brewing® today put an end to the suspense surrounding the identity of its head brewer and announced that Eric Harper will be assuming the role. Harper comes to Utepils Brewing® from Summit Brewing Company and is well-known in craft beer circles, winning acclaim and World Beer Cup Gold and Silver medals as part of the Summit Brewing team. Prior to that, the University of Wisconsin graduate was the Brewhouse Team Leader at Wisconsin’s New Glarus Brewing Company, home of Spotted Cow.

Dan Justesen, founder and President of Utepils Brewing®, said keeping Harper’s identity under wraps was both fun and challenging during the equity raise. Justesen said, “I promised investors that our head brewer, whom we were referring to as code name “Ewald”, had the perfect skill set and resume’ to brew the award-winning European-style craft beers that we aspire to create. For Eric, that style of brewing helped convince him to come over to us.”

Harper agreed. “The plan to brew styles I personally enjoy and the European feel to the brewery were big factors for me. When I imagine creating a brewery from the ground up for myself, Utepils Brewing is that place.”

Still, leaving an established and successful brewery like Summit wasn’t an easy decision, said Harper. “I love where I work and the people at Summit are awesome. Utepils was offering an opportunity to have a lot of creative control. One of the things that helped in my decision was Dan’s recognition of the importance of quality. He understood the need to include a sophisticated brewery lab in his plan, in addition to quality equipment and ingredients, in order to make great beers. I think the Utepils team that he’s built is the ultimate reflection of that. The strength of the team is really what gives me confidence in our future success.”

Harper completed his bachelor’s degree in German Culture at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is also a graduate of the Master Brewers Program at University of California – Davis and has a Diploma in Brewing from London’s Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

For the past five years he has served on the board of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas St. Paul – Minneapolis District, holding roles of secretary, treasurer, and currently Vice President.

Below is a comprehensive list of awards Harper won as part of brewing teams at Summit and New Glarus:

World Beer Cup:

Summit
2014 Silver Extra Pale Ale
2012 Silver Extra Pale Ale
2010 Gold Extra Pale Ale

Great American Beer Festival (GABF):

Summit
2014 Bronze Extra Pale Ale
2013 Silver True Brit IPA
2012 Silver Pilsener
2010 Bronze Extra Pale Ale

New Glarus
2007 Bronze Raspberry Tart
2006 Gold Belgian Red
2006 Gold Cherry Stout
2006 Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year
2005 Gold Belgian Red
2005 Gold Cherry Stout
2005 Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year

Last week, Utepils Brewing® officially changed its name from Bryn Mawr Brewing. Utepils was the name of the holding company. The word “utepils” is Norwegian for the first beer enjoyed outdoors in the sunshine after a long, dark winter. The word “ute” means outside and “pils” means beer. The “utepils moment” is widely-anticipated and celebrated every Spring by Norwegian beer drinkers.

Utepils Brewing® is steeped in the traditions of European brew masters, but will soon be available close to home in Minneapolis, with plans to distribute regionally and nationally. Construction is now underway for the full-production brewery and taproom being built at the site of the former Glenwood Bottling plant. Utepils Brewing® is set to open in early 2016 and will specialize in classic European beer styles and also offer select, special edition seasonal brews.

Special Holiday Offer for VIPER MEMBEERSHIPS®

Just in time for the gift-giving season and to celebrate the new brand, Utepils Brewing® is offering holiday cheer MEMBEERSHIPS® with free beer for 99 years. The exclusive VIPER Program “Very Important Patron, Enthusiast and Recruiter” gives patrons access to the coolest (and only transferable) beer club in town.

Single MEMBEERSHIPs® are $1000, but Utepils Brewing® has a special holiday offer for the first 100 Couple MEMBEERSHIPS ® of $1848 per couple, reduced from $1900. 1848 is the founding date of the German brewery that was the original home of the signature copper kettle
that will be displayed in our taproom.

Offer is limited to first 100 couple MEMBEERSHIPS® and expires December 23, 2015. To reserve your VIPER, email MEMBEERSHIP@utepilsbrewing.com.