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.

Town Hall Beer Release: Milk Porter & 1800 IPA

By on May 29, 2008in brewpubs

townhall.jpgNew beers on Monday at Town Hall. Incidentally, I stopped by last night and they had some choice selections – Mango Mama, Evolution, Hefeweizen. Lots of good stout.

Looks like Monday 6/2 will we a huge day at Town Hall Brewery. Provided you are thirsty this weekend it looks like we will be releasing your favorite 1800 English IPA (6.3lbs hops per barrel) and the newest kid on the block our Milk Porter- on nitro. Nitro makes fast/mass quantities very difficult so Monday we will only be offering intro price for the 1800 IPA. Don’t worry the Milk Porter will still be on happy hour. Why a Milk Porter rather than a Milk Stout?? Wait until you taste how smooth and enjoyable this stuff is….you’ll understand. FYI keep your heads up for the upcoming Dark Chocolate Milk Porter and the Lingonberry Milk Porter….should be ready in about 3 weeks.
Wow- more tanks equals more fun!
Cheers

Opening Day at The Four Firkins

By on May 26, 2008in beer stores

Opening Day at The Four Firkins, originally uploaded by MNBeer.

Dawn and I stopped into The Four Firkins on Saturday before leaving for an overnight at Camden State Park on Saturday. I was impressed. While The Four Firkins may not be the largest beer store in the Twin Cities, the selection, aesthetics and Alvey’s friendly and helpful enthusiasm more than make up for that fact. There’s just not a bad beer in the store – no crap… no BMC, no liquor (in plastic bottles or otherwise), no attitude. Dawn noticed a reoccurring theme when hearing the description of a number of special beers as “frickin’ amazing.” I was like a kid in a candy store… trying to make conversation and yet trying to soak up all of the good beer and also hit the road in a relatively short amount of time. Easier said than done. I highly recommend you visit The Four Firkins… word on the street is that the place is FRICKIN’ AMAZING. 🙂

Whirly Bird Oatmeal Stout

By on May 22, 2008in breweries

braubrothers.jpgBrau Brothers’ Whirly Bird Oatmeal Stout is available for your drinking pleasure. Dustin showed me the label at Winterfest – nothing like a big black bird in a roof vent. 🙂

Whirly Bird is our farewell to winter. Big and bold, even for an oatmeal stout, this ale is chewy and complex. A variety of oats, toasted at different levels make up a full ten percent of the malt bill. Add to that roasted barley, crystal malt, and chocolate malt for a well-rounded stout. This ale is a remake of an oatmeal stout served years ago
at the tiny local pub in Lucan.