Month: November 2007

Three Imperial Stouts on tap at Blue Nile tonight

Al puts it best:

Hey Gang,
Friday, I’m getting a keg of Expedition Stout, …and Darkness is still on, …and there’s that keg of Old Rasputin  that’s been waiting in the cooler for it’s turn on tap. So, what the hell, one night only, I’m going to have all three on tap at once, …have a flight, or a vertical, or a blindfold taste test, whatever you want to do.The Expediton and Ol’ Rasp, if they aren’t killed that night, will go back on later, but they will only all three be on tap together Friday. They are temporarily taking over the Summit annd Rush River spots. Time: whenever. The rb goes are coming at 6:30, but if anyone shows up for it at, say, 4:15, I’ll tap ’em then.

See ya,
cheers,
al

You can brew your own at Vine Park TONIGHT

This afternoon a group canceled their 7PM reservation TONIGHT (November 30, 2007) for all six of our kettles due to illness. We were able to reschedule them for mid January but this creates a singular opportunity. This is the only kettle reservation available in the evening that will get you back to bottle before Christmas! If you can react quickly, call us to book any or all of the six. Bottling will be on Dec 13, again at 7PM. This is an unusual email for us. But so many people have been unable to get a brew time because they couldn’t get away from work and needed an evening brew time, we wanted to let people have a chance to grab this unique reservation. Please call 651.228.1355 to book a reservation.
Thanks Dan & Andy
www.vinepark.com

Minnesota Beer of the Month: Barley John’s Double IPA

First of all, many thanks to Colin over at Barley John’s for spending some of his evening with the MNBeer.com crew the other week. Everyone appreciated time, perspective and opinions. We also enjoyed the tour! Photos below.

The Minnesota Beer of the Month is a new feature to MNBeer.com. It’s not a competition, it isn’t “judged” per se, and it’s done purely out of fun. The only criteria is that we have to like it, and it has to be from Minnesota. Easy enough, eh? The purpose is to highlight a local beer and encourage our fine readers to give it a try.

With that in mind, our inaugural Minnesota Beer of the Month is Barley John’s Double IPA, a beer they describe as:

Big hop American Double IPA. Amarillo and Cascade hops bring in the classic American citrus flavors while the East Kent Goldings hops bring out the spirit of our Stockyard IPA. Paired with a strong and varied malt bill, this is an assertive yet balanced Double IPA. Dry hopped in the secondary fermentation to bring out a greater fresh hop flavor, this big beer is a great way to usher in the new season!

Their description is spot-on. This double IPA goes down like a single and has a nice pairing both English and American hops for an extremely balanced double IPA with just the right amount of everything. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if it’s one of the few double IPAs that we’ll see in brewpubs in the coming seasons.

Were there runner-ups? Hell yes. Are we going to share them with you? Nope. You’ll find them in your local liquor stores!

Drink Minnesota beer!

Colin Murphy, Barley John’s

Colin Mullen – deep in Barley John’s cellars

bj2.jpg

 

Dark Knight

That’s Dark Knight, friends.

 

Duvel USA beer promo at The Bulldog Lyndale next Tuesday Dec 4th

While it doesn’t go with the MNBeer “drink only MN beer” mantra, this was too good to not pass along…

Tuesday December 4th 6 pm – close. The Bulldog Lyndale. 1/2 off all Duvel USA beers. That includes Duvel, Rodenbach, Maredsous & Brewery Ommegang. Tom Gardner from Duvel USA will be in attendance. Food specials will also be available. That means $3.50 Duvel and $2.50 Hennepins, not to mention the price on all the other Duvel products. The only thing not enclosed is a cab service phone number.  Enjoy!

McCann’s in St. Cloud Times

Here’s a small piece on St. Cloud’s newest brewpub, McCann’s Food and Brew. They open on Friday, though the beer brewed on site won’t be pouring until the brewery is good and legal. I’ll be sure to pay them a visit when it’s ready!