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.

MLBA: Make Up Your Mind

By on February 23, 2011in bars/restaurants, breweries, brewpubs

According to this Star Tribune Piece by Paul Levy, Frank Ball and the MLBA seem to have changed their minds:

But Wednesday, he adopted his stance of a week ago, when he said: “We’re not talking about tires, batteries or accessories. This is alcohol, and it’s highly regulated. There’s a reason this law has been on the books since 1933.”

Deep pockets?

Couple that with some of the misinformation I’ve heard in the past week or so and I think it’s fair to share a few friendly reminders…

Things to consider:

The bill doesn’t allow breweries to sell cans, bottles growlers or beer to go at the brewery. Just beer for consumption on-site.

This bill has nothing to do with Sunday sales.

This bill has nothing to do with wine/strong beer in grocery stores.

With regard to Surly, their increased capacity will force them into the three-tier system, likely within the next year.

Increased capacity means more beer for for bars & liquor stores to sell.

All around the country similar projects exist and local retailers and bars are still selling beer. For reference, look to well-known examples such as Stone Brewing, Goose Island, Deschutes, Red Hook, Dogfish Head and so many others.

As consumers, we’ll still buy bottles and cans of Surly from your liquor stores and pints and pitchers from your bars.

Choosing to stop selling Surly at your bar or liquor store in light of this legislation is silly. Take a look at the rest of your selection and see how many of breweries already do what Surly has proposed. You’ll likely be surprised.

MNBeer.com supports this legislation. If you’re a brewery, distributor or restaurant/bar that supports the legislation, we’d love to hear it. On the same note, if you don’t, please drop me a line (ryan AT mnbeer.com) and let me know why. I’m not interested in calling anyone out, I’m just trying to gauge actual opposition & understand where you’re coming from. Thus far, despite requests, no one has stepped forward  in opposition.  Other than a “Friend of a friend of a friend” story or two, I’m not hearing much.

Schell’s Stag Series #3 Release Parties

By on February 21, 2011in bars/restaurants, breweries

Mark your calendars. Any chance Mr. Berg will come out of seclusion for one of these?

Stag #3 (Rauchbier) Kick-off Schedule
3/2                                         Groveland Tap                                  9-11pm
3/10                                       Hanger Room                                    4-7pm
3/11                                       O’Gara’s                                              10-12am
3/15                                       The Rex Bar                                        8-10pm
3/23                                       Mac’s Industrial                                9:30-11:30
3/24                                       Mad Capper                                       4-7pm
3/24                                       Stanley’s                                              7-9pm

Ball Backs Down?!

By on February 18, 2011in breweries

So undoubtedly you’re on Twitter right? No doubt you’ve been foaming at the mouth for legislation information and found that Aaron shared the link to SF416…. The City Pages crew took it a bit further and grabbed a new quote from Frank Ball from the MLBA:

On Friday afternoon, Ball had not yet read the bill but backed way off of his earlier condemnation of the project. He says the earlier announcement lead him to believe that Surly wanted to sell its famous four-pack out of the brewery, undercutting distributors and store owners. The actual language of the bill only allows the new brewery to sell pints on location.

“We do think it’s a great idea,” he says now.

I guess this kills my plans for a short lecture on why this is all good for distributors, beer stores and bars. One would guess that you already know that additional brewing capacity would allow more bars and liquor stores to carry Surly. Win-win? Hopefully!

Northern Brewer Pro Series

By on February 18, 2011in breweries, homebrew

Homebrewers can attest… sometimes clone beer recipes suck. In my early days of brewing, I remember trying a clone or two from a distant homebrew shop (not a MN shop… my bad for buying elsewhere) that ended up tasting nothing like the real thing. Nothing. There are a few books out there that are hit or miss as well. That being said, our friends over at Northern Brewer have a Pro Series where all the recipes come from the professionals – the folks who actually make the beer that you’re trying to clone. Check ’em out… Included in the list are several beers from Surly (ever heard of ’em?) and Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery. Given the fact that the recipes are coming straight from the source, you no longer have wonder whether or not your “clone” recipe is actually a clone or someone’s best guess… point blank… if the beer sucks, it’s probably your fault.