Month: November 2007

Flat Earth Named “Best New Brewery” in Minnesota Monthly

By on November 29, 2007in breweries

Boy, it’s hard to keep up with all the accolades for Minnesota beer by local ‘zines, this one by Minnesota Monthly.

Question the conventional wisdom. That’s the gist of Flat Earth Brewing Co., the state’s latest microbrewery, whose name conveys the almost heretical boundary-pushing behind its array of fine beers. What’s a little St. Paul brewery doing cooking up fancy Belgian-style ales with traces of orange, plum, and pear? Or others with hints of chocolate and honey? Making beer that matters, of course. These are strong brews in every sense—the Bermuda Triangle Belgian Triple clocks in at 9 percent alcohol—for savoring, not slamming. Available at the Happy Gnome and Pizza Lucé in St. Paul; Acadia Café and Grumpy’s in Minneapolis; and other locations. www.flatearthbrewing.com

Surly mentioned in Wall Street Journal

By on November 29, 2007in breweries, history, misc. mn beer

Ok, it’s a pretty small mention in an article about Trappist beer, but hey, it’s a mention in an international publication. Thanks to Dag for the head’s up.

Read the full article, at least until the WSJ takes the link down, here.

Two American Web sites, Rate Beer and Beer Advocate, rank the strongest of Westvleteren’s three products, a dark creamy beer known as “the 12,” best in the world, ahead of beers including Sweden’s Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter and Minnesota’s Surly Darkness. “No question, it is the holy grail of beers,” says Remi Johnson, manager of the Publick House, a Boston bar that has Westvleteren on its menu but rarely in stock.

Winterfest Tickets

By on November 27, 2007in beer events, breweries, brewpubs

Tickets for Winterfest go on sale on Monday, December 3rd at 12 Noon. Tickets are $45 and only 550 tickets will be sold. As always, this event will sell out. Tickets willonly be available through Ticketworks.com.

This year, Winterfest will return to Landmark Center (75 West 5th Street – St. Paul) and will take place on Friday, February 8th from 7 – 10pm.

Big beers, here we come!

Surly Furious “Best Local Beer” in Mpls. St. Paul

By on November 26, 2007in breweries

I finally had a few minutes to browse my work copy of Mpls. St. Paul Magazine and low and behold, I find that they’ve chosen Surly Furious as “Best Local Beer.” Congratulations!

The best local beer also has the best name: Surly Furious. Brewed by Brooklyn Center’s Surly Brewing Company, Furious is a dark, hoppy, fragrant brew made with Golden Promise malt, the same stuff that’s used to make such fine scotches as The Macallan. It packs a punch, too, with 6 percent alcohol.

Congrat’s to Surly!

Vine Park Update

By on November 25, 2007in beer stores, homebrew

Got an update from Vine Park recently. I cut and paste the beer-relevant stuff. (It also reminded me that giving someone a Vine Park gift certificate for the holiday season is a good way to introduce friends or family to homebrewing. It was one of the best Christmas presents I ever received, along side a homebrew kit from Northern Brewer. Changed. My. Life. But I digress.)

We would like to thank all of our customers for a wonderful year. Every day we get to come to the brewery and help an incredible group of fun-loving people make beer & wine. You make it easy to look forward to each day at the brewery. Thanks!

Andy, Dan, Harley, Katie

Bavarian Beer Trip. We braved the highest peak, the biggest party, the smokiest beers, and more. Read about the adventure and see photos of all the fun. Story and photos are here.

Recipe Comparison Chart. The #1 request of our customers we can’t do. Giving samples is illegal.
The #2 request is “can I have a copy of your recipe comparison chart?” And now you can! We have added it as a downloadable file from our Recipe webpage. To view the file you will need the free Adobe Reader program. Comparison charts here.