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.

Surly One at the Blue Nile Wednesday

By on January 15, 2007in bars/restaurants, breweries

From Al at The Blue Nile:

I’ll be getting my first keg of this delicious doppelbock-like anniversary lager Wednesday. Problem is, I still don’t have an open tap line. So, I propose $3 taps all day long Wednesday…what? even on Bell’s Expedition Stout and HopSlam?
No, not on them, we don’t serve them in pints, anyway…

a small amount of Darkness remains…what, you guys got tired of the biggest, ballsiest imperial stout brewed in Minnesota so soon?

Wait? Expedition Stout…and Darkness? Yes, currently, the only place one could try both on tap side by side is at the Blue Nile, while supplies last…

P.S.
HopSlam

Town Hall Beer Release: Retreating Darkness

By on January 15, 2007in beer events, brewpubs

Hey all,

Winter is here!@%#@$%^$)(&* How about a nice deep dark coffee beer to help keep you keep warm. Yep, we teamed up again with Peace Coffee (www.peacecoffee.com) to create a new masterpiece.

As we move further and further from the Winter Solstice we now will release “Retreating Darkness” an American Black Ale infused with coffee from a special blend by the local roasters at Peace Coffee. This seasonal offering features the rich, earthy, slightly smoked, heavily roasted flavors of both Sumatran and French Roast coffee with a beer containing similar character.

Come and enjoy a pint-Monday 1/15 release 5-6pm

Cheers,

Mike

Do You Need Winterfest Tickets?

By on January 14, 2007in breweries, general beer

Wade wrote to MNBeer and let us know that he has two extra tickets to (beer) paradise. The first taker gets his contact information. Drop me an e-mail at ryan AT mnbeer.com if you’d like to join all of your favorite jerks at Winterfest.

Update: Wade’s tickets have been sold. Fear not, though as there are some others floating around. Check the MNBrewers.com mailing list.

Psst. One of the beers that Schell’s will be bringing to Winterfest is Schmaltz’s Alt.

Winterfest (Post) Two: Electric Boogaloo

By on January 13, 2007in general beer, mnbeer.com

Sorry.

Here’s the line-up for Winterfest 2007.

August Schell Brewing Co.
Barley John’s Brew Pub
Brau Brothers Brewing Co.
Finnegan’s
Fitger’s Brewhouse
Flat Earth Brewing Co.
Gluek Brewing Co.
Granite City Food & Brewery
Great Waters Brewing Co.
Herkimer Pub & Brewery
Mantorville Brewing Company
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery
O’Hara’s Brew Pub
Rock Bottom Brewery
Summit Brewing Co.
Surly Brewing Co.

I’ll beg and plea a bit over the next day or two to see if we can’t the okay to share a sampling of what everyone is planning on bringing on Friday. I’m especially excited about tasting Flat Earth’s beer… I have no doubt that the “new” kid on the block will have some tasty beer to share.

—

Just a reminder that we’re now accepting donations to the MNBeer “I didn’t drop it in the toilet” camera fund. Just think, for as little as $1 you can help a lowly blogger continue to take the photos that he so desperately needs. Imagine the joy on his face as he submits group photos with brewers and drinkers to local magazines (Minnesota Monthly, Mpls.-St. Paul) for their cheezy “out and about” sections. Fundraiser dinner photos? Walker openings? Pshaw! Beer geeks need love, too. So dig deep, brothers and sisters, praise the beer, and give us five bucks so we can shut up already… link at right. Word.

Winterfest… The First in a Series of Posts…

By on January 12, 2007in breweries, brewpubs

First off, the my camera took a dive over the holidays, first refusing to to switch from camera mode to view and then puking and sputtering before dying. The camera was an older 2 megapixel Canon with a lot of miles. So bring your cameras to Winterfest! In the meantime, to expedite the camera-replacement process, we’ll be adding a donation link to the site. If you’ve got a few bucks to spare (or fifty… whatever really), we’ll gladly take it and spend it on beer to help pay for a new camera. I have a little idea for a photo project for Winterfest, but I don’t want to give it away just yet. Donors, however, will get the scoop first.

Secondly, Brandy wrote to MNBeer looking for one more ticket to Winterfest. If you’ve got one to spare, drop me a line at ryan AT mnbeer.com with your information and I’ll pass it on to Brandy. Done!

…and a little note from Dave Berg & the Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild:

As Winterfest draws near, just a couple of reminders…if you’re not
going you can quit reading now.

1) Doors open at 6:30. We’ll be busy setting up, so we can’t let people
in early to stay warm. The good news is we’re close to Great Waters this
year, so you can stop in for some food and a beer.

2) The food is an appetizer buffet. I know people get tired of me
saying this, but I’m going to say it again–it is not your dinner. It is
something to snack on while trying the beers.

3) Please show courtesy to your fellow attendees and move out of the way
once you get a beer. If you want to talk to the brewer, at least move to
the side so others can still get beer.

4) Tasting is over at 9:30. By then, all the brewers are tired and want
to pack up and go home. Please try to finish up as soon as possible. We
won’t be kicking you out the door at 9:31, but our license is only valid
until 9:30.

Thanks for supporting Minnesota Breweries and the Guild.

Cheers!

David Berg