Author: ryan

Ryan Anderson (that's me!) is the editor & founder of MNBeer. Much has changed since the fall of 2005 and I'm proud to have been a part of it all. Sometime I'll tell you about my grand theory that links craft brewing to punk rock. Just ask.

Heritage Thursday Tasting – Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (’11 and ’09)

By on October 20, 2011in beer events, beer stores

Heritage Thursday Tasting… Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2009 & 2011).

For our Thursday Tasting on October 20th from 5-7PM, we’re making all the stout lovers very happy, and it’s not just because we’ve finally reached stout drinking weather. To celebrate the first release of Brooklyn Brewing’s Black Chocolate Stout in Minnesota, you’ll be able to sample the new 2011 release alongside the 2009 vintage. It’s a great opportunity to taste the effects aging has on beer, especially a big Imperial Stout like this one.

We know we have to keep the hopheads happy, too, and since hop harvest is our favorite time of the year, our 20% off Bomber of the Week is the first time release of Deschutes Brewery’s Heirloom Fresh Hop Mirror Pond. Deschutes Brewmaster Larry Sidor had been discussing with Pacific Northwest hop growers their theory that Cascade had changed since it was first created back in 1972. So they revived the original rootstock developed at Oregon State University and grew 4 acres of it at Goshie Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. There they started with a ‘pure’ field and grew them up for 2 years. The result is a very bright,
clean and intense Cascade aroma in a beer that has enough bitterness to satisfy any hophead.

Darkness Eve at Stub & Herb’s

By on October 18, 2011in bars/restaurants, beer events

Here’s the finalized list of Darkness Eve beers at Stub & Herb’s. Check ’em out.

1. Surly Cynic
2. Suly Bender
3. Surly Furious
4. Surly Wet
5.  Surly 5
6. Surly Moe’s Bender (tapped @8 pm)
7. Surly Darkness 2010 (tapped @ 9pm)
8. Surly Darkness 2011 (tapped @ 10pm)
9. Alaskan Perserverence
10. Breckenridge Imp Choc Stout
11. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout 2009
12. Dark Horse Plead the 5th
13. Deschutes Abyss 2010
14. Deschutes Abyss 2011
15. Deschutes Black Butte XXIII
16. Deschutes Obsidian Nitro
17. Flying Dog Barrel Aged Gonzo 2009
18. Founders Breakfast Stout
19. Founders KBS 2010
20. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 2010
21. Goose Island Night Stalker (2009 I believe)
22. Great Divide Chocolate Yeti
23. John Henry
24. Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy 2010
25. New Holland Dragon’s Milk
26. North Coast Old Rasputin
27. Stone Belgo Anise RIS
28. Stone Bourbon Barrel RIS 2008
29. Stone Double Black IPA Anniversary
30. Stone 2010 RIS
31. Tyranena Dirty Old Man
32. Weyerbacher Old Heathen

Darkness Day

By on October 18, 2011in beer events, breweries

So a shit-ton of people walk into an industrial park in Brooklyn and…

Surely there’s a joke in there, somewhere. In any case, Oct. 22nd is your chance to join a frenzied horde of thirsty zombies outside the Surly brewery at an ungodly hour to get your hands on Darkness, their Russian Imperial Stout. The actual event runs from 11am-5pm, but you can guess that the lines will be far too long if you don’t show up a little early. How early? Your call. Some folks have been known to camp out the night before.

Details: Darkness will set you back $18 for a 750ml bottle. Folks waiting in line will (potentially) get a wristband that will allow them to purchase up to six bottles. Without a band, you can purchase up to four bottles starting at 4pm, assuming there’s any left. Bring cash, cuz Surly doesn’t accept brains… or plastic… or checks.

Wanna’ buy a beer? Tokens are $4 for a 12 oz. pour. Volunteers will be pouring beer in the trailer and tap room.

Food? Check. The Chef Shack, Play Ball Catering, Natedogs and Potter’s Pasties and Pies

Bands: – God Came From Space, Guzzlemug, Droids Attack, Ambassador Gun

Doug Odell at Four Firkins

By on October 11, 2011in beer events, beer stores
You shouldn’t be bored Wednesday. So much going on. Sadly I’ll be in California. Forcing California beer down my throat. I’ll survive…
Doug Odell, head of Odell Brewing, is returning to the Firkins this Wednesday the 12th from 5-7PM!

We are very excited to announce the triumphant return of Doug Odell to the Firkins! Mr. Odell visited us last year in the old store when Odell Brewing first entered the market. It was a fun event, and we had a great time hosting him.

This time around it’s going to be even more fun because Odell has gained a well-earned reputation in Minnesota for brewing some of our favorite beers. There is good reason Odell IPA and Myrcenary Double IPA are in our top 10 beers sold at the Firkins every week.

We’re anxious to see what Doug thinks of our new location after visiting the old store!