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.

Boom Island Taproom Opens Next Saturday

Photo lifted from their Facebook page.

Photo lifted from their Facebook page because that’s how we roll…

Congrats to Boom Island! After a move and lots of hard work, they’ve announce that their taproom will open for the first time on Saturday, February 1st, from noon-9pm! They plan to hold regular hours starting that Wednesday (Feb. 5th): Wednesday-Friday 4-9pm, Saturdays 1-9pm. Also look for tours to be scheduled later in the month.
2014 Washington Avenue North

Location: ½ block north of the intersection of Washington and Broadway off 94. Park on the street on Washington, on 21st Ave, or on N. 2nd St (Donny Dirk’s is at the corner of 21st Ave North and N. 2nd St). The taproom’s entrance is at the back of our building. There is a small parking lot, so we suggest you score a spot on the street.

Are You Headed to The Beer Dabbler Saturday?

If so, hopefully you have tickets as the event is sold out and Craigslist seems to be full of folks that want tickets. Sadly I’ll be working tomorrow, throwing snowshoes on peoples’ feet at another (beer-less) outdoor event. Even worse? I volunteered myself for the gig. So beer friends, Dabble and dabble some more. Take lots of pictures and be sure to throw the #mnbeer hashtag on your tweets!

In the spirit of Buzzfeed and other list purveyors, here are the 10 things I’ll miss the most about missing Saturday’s Beer Dabbler event:

1. Beer from newcomers Burning Brothers & Day Block Brewing
2. The James Page folks & Osker Blues folks duking it out over who really was the first craft brewery in cans
3. Sims
4. Random dudes wearing horse head mask(s)
5. Beer from our friends in the plans of Fargo & Moorhead, Fargo Brewing Co. & Junkyard Brewing
6. Freezing dude in kilt.
7. Winchfest
8. NateDogs
9. Pelting intoxicated people with snowballs during the World’s Largest Snowball Fight
10. Having a beer with you. Seriously.

Dabbler2013-531

 

 

 

New Digs for NorthGate Brewing

northgateAbout a year and a half ago, we profiled NorthGate Brewing, as they were setting up shop in Northeast Minneapolis. This month, they celebrate their one year anniversary with news that they’re expanding into a new location at 783 Harding Street NE in Minneapolis and expect to open in late summer. They’ll be expanding into a space about ten times larger than their current location and will ad a new 20 barrel brewhouse and 1500 square foot taproom. Not a bad way to celebrate a first, birthday, eh?

But what would a birthday be without a party? Never fear, NorthGate is doing it up right with a little throwdown at the place where they first launched their beer – Grumpy’s Northeast. At 5:00pm on Monday, January 27th, they’ll release Fiddle Smasher Wee Heavy. The roster will also include Wall’s End, Maggie’s Leap and Parapet ESB.

But wait, there’s more! They’re also celebrating their first anniversary by bottling their first beer. That’s right, Fiddle Smasher will be available at select retailers in 22 oz bottles starting on Monday. You’ll also be able to grab said bottles at the brewery in 750ml bottles during public hours – Wed. from 4-6pm and Sat. from 1-5pm.

“We’re incredibly excited to announce our new, larger facility and our one-year anniversary plans,” said NorthGate Brewing co-founder Adam Sjogren. “We started as one of the smallest breweries around, but through the great support of the local craft beer community, we’ve been able to grow steadily over our first year. Our new larger facility will allow us to take our brewery to the next level, and we’re thrilled to stay in Northeast Minneapolis where our business began.”

Tuck, Adam & Todd, Northgate Brewing Co.

Tuck, Adam & Todd, Northgate Brewing Co.

Day Block Brewing Company Opens Monday

dayblock

It’s truly a small world, friends. Several years ago my brother-in-law told me about a friend that had been doing some serious homebrewing with coworkers at the office. That friend ended up being Internet Exposure CEO and Day Block Brewing Company founder Jeff Hahn. Fast forward a few years and lots of work and planning has come to fruition as Minnesota’s newest brewpub launches on Monday at 3pm. A glance at their beer & food menu reveals some promising offerings. I’m really looking forward to sampling both and wish everyone at Day Block Brewing Company the very best of luck!

Day Block Brewing Company Grand Opening
Monday, January 27th. 3pm – 1am
1105 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis

Normal Hours: Monday – Sunday 11am-1am.