Author: Eric

Eric was one of a few contributors who jumped on board when the site was in its infancy.

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.

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.

Darkness Glass Give Away

By on November 21, 2007in bars/restaurants, breweries

Got plans for Friday night? In addition to the Cask Bender being tapped at Cafe Twenty Eight on Friday, check this out:

On Friday November 23rd we will give away three sets of two official brewery Darkness glasses at our Cask Bender tapping.  The tapping starts at 9:00 PM. Any Surly purchase gets your name in the hat for the drawing (limit one entry per person).  The drawing will be at 10:45PM Need not be present to win, but if your not you will have to come back and pick them up.

Please note that these are not the evil Darkness goblets that Todd does.  We only part with those for our favorite charity The Wildcat Sanctuary.  Look for another charity event for them sometime this winter.

Surly Sponsors Icefest

By on November 5, 2007in breweries, free beer

I just learned that Surly is the Official Beer Sponsor of the Sandstone Icefest. At least that’s what it says on Surly’s event page and on the Ice Fest site. While I’m not sure drinking and ice climbing go hand in hand, I can’t imagine anything more fun than drinking Surly around a bonfire in December in Northern Minnesota.

Town Hall Anniversary Week

By on October 4, 2007in beer events, brewpubs

Hey All,
Town Hall Brewery is turning 10 years old! Well, time to party! Here is some preliminary information.

The week begins October 22-Starting that Monday our normal Town Hall house beers will be on Happy Hour all week, all the time. We also have a few beers to release (this week all releases will be 6-7pm)
Monday- Petunia’s Pumpkin Ale
Tuesday- Czar Jack Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
Wednesday- Anniversary Ale 2007
Thursday- Belgian Raspberry Brown (come see what 160 lbs of raspberry tastes like)
Friday- Eye of the Storm 10- 10 years old,10 different honeys,10+% abv

Saturday- try them all

Also look for details about Beer Trivia, Beer Olympics, Beer Scavenger Hunt. There really is alot of fun to be had at the Town Hall Brewery. And the prizes are fantastic.

To give back to the community that has been so good to us, this year we are helping out with “Coats for Kids”. This is a branch of the Salvation Army that runs a clothing drive to benefit area youth. This year they have hopes of collecting 10,000 coats to distribute to local children in need. Start bringing in your coats today…….here to Town Hall Brewery. Bring in new or gently used children’s coats….please wash them first…..we will get them to the Salvation Army.

Also, to raise more money for the Salvation Army and Coats for Kids we will feature a Silent Auction during our anniversary week. Come and check out all the goods donated by fine area companies and bid on some of
your favorites. Winners announced Sat. 10/27. Bid a bit extra it’s ok…it is all going to charity!

More details will follow.
Cheers,
Mike