Category: Modist Brewing

The Land of 10,000 Beers (and more)

By on August 24, 2017in Bad Weather Brewing Co., breweries, food pairing, general beer, Hoops Brewing, Indeed Brewing Co., Insight Brewing, Insight Brewing Co., Lift Bridge, Modist Brewing, Steel Toe Brewing, Summit Brewing Co., Surly Brewing Co.

“Four and three and two and one, when I’m on the mic, the suckers run…” Hoops Brewing’s Dave Hoops raps with the audience in the Land of 10,000 Beers.

In case you live under a rock, the Minnesota State Fair starts today in St. Paul. Years ago, I had an office on Energy Park Drive and always cringed as the Fair approached. We usually had a flood of last minute creative and print work for a few big clients and the traffic always sucked. I’ve never understood why people choose to travel to or from the fair during rush hour. You’re smarter than that people!
Looking for some food and beverage updates? HeavyTable (Twitter) has you covered.
Thirsty? Here are a few suggestions.
Land of 10,000 Beers
The Land of 10,000 Beer exhibit, courtesy of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild returns to the Ag/Horticulture Building for a 6th year with 300 beers from nearly 70 Minnesota breweries and brewpubs. Try all 300! Or maybe not. This year they’ve revamped the flight categories to align more-closely with Brewers Association beer categories: Crisp and Clean, Malty and Sweet, Dark and Roasty, Hoppy and Bitter and Fruity, and Spicy Tart and Funky. Our friends at Better Beer Society are also curating a “Blue Ribbon Flight” with hand-selected flights from our favorite nerds, BBS’ certified cicerones.

New this year is a refreshed rotation of beer flight categories that align with the Brewers Association of beer categories: visitors to the exhibit can select among different flights of beers — Crisp and Clean, Malty and Sweet, Dark and Roasty, Hoppy and Bitter and Fruity, Spicy Tart and Funky. Also new, the Guild’s partner, the Better Beer Society (BBS), is curating the “Better Beer Society Blue Ribbon Flight” comprised of beers selected by BBS’ certified cicerones.

In addition to the beer, the Guild offers daily education programs at 3 and 6pm on weekdays and noon, 3pm and 6pm on weekends.  And if you want to step up your edumacation, BBS’ cicerones will also be conducting Fair food and beer pairing ideas.

Ballpark Cafe
This is a required stop in my book. The Ballpark Cafe has been slinging good beer longer than some of you have even cared. Along with some State Fair classics like Summit Oktoberfest, Lift Bridge Mini Donut and Steel Toe Size 7, the Ballpark Cafe also offers up a variety of beers from Bauhaus, Bent Brewstillery, Bent Paddle, Castle Danger, EastLake, Excelsior, Hoops Brewing, Indeed, Modist and Surly. You can also check out some ciders from Sweetland Orchard and an IPA from War Pigs (3 Floyds, Mikkeller).

Other Beers to Seek Out

Insight Duke of Cuke – Insight’s light lager infused with cucumber. (Lulu’s Public House)

Barley John’s Pickle Beer – Dry-hopped with fresh dill, horseradish and spices. Garnished with a dill pickle and havarti dill cheese. (Giggles)

Mini Donut Beer from Lift Bridge – this State Fair classic is a real treat. We’ve often joked that State Fair beers occasionally “jump the shark,” and this was the first. We really only need one of these per year, but still can’t help but enjoying it. (Ballpark Cafe)

Freehouse Caramel Apple π  -It’s like a little shot of apple pie. Much like Fair food, once a year is enough… but you may as well enjoy it while it’s there. (Blue Barn)

 Bad Weather Lemon Sunshine – a Limoncello-inspired ale brewed with lemons and lemon zest. (Mancini’s)

Summit Lazy Slipper – a Kolsch style beer brewed with ingredients sourced in Minnesota.  (Shanghaied Henri’s)

Follow this link for a list of all of the State Fair specialty beverages. Enjoy!

Inbound and Modist Celebrating One Year in the North Loop

By on April 12, 2017in breweries, general beer, MN, Modist Brewing, new beer, tap rooms

Two of the breweries that make up the new brewery hot spot in town are celebrating one year anniversaries. Both events are free to the public but you’ll wanna get there early because the parking can be cumbersome in the North Loop.
Modist will celebrate on Saturday with a bash that will include live music, live painting, a beer release, and fundraiser supporting Free Arts MN. The Curious Goat is the food truck in residence and will be there selling food all day. Their anniversary beer will be a bright pink kettle sour fruited milkshake IPA called Turbulent Juice.

Details:
We’re having a Music Concert, Live Painting, Beer Release, Free Arts MN Fundraiser Party!

Our first year in almost in the books, and it’s already been a crazy ride. Now it’s time to celebrate. On April 15th, 2017, we’re going have 4 live music acts, and have 8 artists create live art on large canvases, and release a crazy beer – all while raising funds for Free Arts Minnesota. There will also be a dunk tank.

The music lineup will feature 4 MN artists, including:

– The 4onthefloor (9 PM)
– Greg Grease (8 PM)
– Sarah White (7 PM)
– Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band (4 PM)

and DJ sets by:
– Sophia Eris (5 PM)
– Mike 2600 (also the designer of our First Call cans 🙂 (10 PM)

And it’s all hosted by Go953MN’s Auggie 5000!

Alongside the musicians, 8 LOCAL ARTISTS will each be creating a piece on 4′ x 4′ canvas that will be auctioned off to the benefit of Free Arts MN, an organization that supports the artistic and personal development of youths in challenging circumstances.

Some of the artists involved, include:

– Wes Winship of Burlesque of North America(also the designer of our DREAMYARD cans)
– DWITT
– Artists from Rogue Citizen, including Lizardman, Dalsen, and Blaster
– Erin Sayer
– Joy Spika
-Meduza

We’re also helping out Free Arts MN by having an Art Supplies Drive. If you’re in the giving spirit, here is a list of supplies they’re in need of. Please bring something from the list along with you on the 15th:

-glue sticks
-scotch/masking/duct tape
-canvas paper/multi-media paper
-t-shirts
-drawing pencils
-kneaded erasers
-sharpies
-cardstock paper

We’ll also be releasing another one-of-a-kind beer. It’s still a secret. More details soon!

We’re going to have custom birthday donuts from Sssdude-Nutz!

We’re going to have a make your own button station from SiK PiN!

We’re going to have a dunk tank!

Inbound will celebrate next Saturday (April 22nd) with live music, a Berliner Weisse release, one-off beer infusions, and games. Mighty Axe Hops will also be on-site to talk about locally grown hops. The Outlaw Grill will also be there serving food at the event.
Details:
Thanks for joining us on our journey into beer. This celebration is all for you. You’ve been through the seasons with us, drank all 55 beers we’ve released, and you continue to impress us with your ability to pack our taproom each and every day.

It’s been a wild ride, but we’re excited celebrate 1 Year of Beer together.

Let’s Party:

11am: Taproom Opens
12pm: Live Jams by Alex Rossi Music
12pm: The Outlaw Grill-Food Truck
1pm: Free Brewery Tours [Every hour, on the hour. 20 slots per tour. Sign up in the Merch Shop. Must have close-toed shoes.]
2pm: Local Vendors – Mighty Axe Hops & Brewing a Better Forest
7pm: Live Jams by DJ Adatrak
12am: The party ends, but come back tomorrow for Sunday Funday!

Beer:

20+ craft beers will be on tap
New Beer Release – Berliner Weisse
Tons of new infusions

Games:

Life size jenga
Bean Bags
Tons of board games

Outdoor patio will be open (pending weather)
Minnesota Twins game is at 1:10pm
It’s Earth Day, so learn a little about locally grown hops from Mighty Axe Hops or donate to Brewing a Better Forest and help water local trees.

Happy birthday to both breweries!

Cheers!

Beer Smarts Class Back in Session at Modist

By on February 27, 2017in beer education, Modist Brewing

Modist Education Director Paige Latham will again be hosting her Beer Smarts class at the brewery beginning on March 6th. The six-week course will cover water, grains, hops, fermentation, evaluating beer, food and beer pairing, and the popular optional 7th session which is a beer dinner with chef Ian Gray from The Curious Goat and The Smoking Cow. Tickets for the optional four course dinner will cost $50 and the seats are limited.

I had the opportunity to sit in on one of these sessions and I was very impressed. Paige is very knowledgeable and is the perfect person to teach such a class. She’s the woman behind the blog Alcohol by Volume and is the beer expert at Heavy Table. She also worked at The Four Firkins in St. Louis Park where she became a Cicerone Certified Beer Server.

Tickets for the six sessions are on sale for $60 and you can find them here. See the schedule below:

Session 1: Beer History and Water (3/6/17)

  • Intro to course
  • History of brewing
  • Properties of water
  • Ratio of grain to water / “gravity”
  • Beers famous for water reasons

Session 2: Grains and malting (3/13/17)

  • Focus on malted grain / barley
  • German Purity Law
  • Other sources of sugar (candied sugar, lactose)
  • What happens when water meets grain
  • Beers famous for grain reasons
  • Mini brewery tour!

Session 3: Hops (3/20/17)

  • Hops – what they are, how they’re grown, and where they’re grown
  • From the filter to the boil kettle
  • Hop additions and other additives

Session 4: Fermentation (3/27/17)

  • Historical significance of yeast as magic / God / luck
  • Classification of yeast
  • An overview of fermentation
  • Significant yeast strains through history and by style
  • Other methods of fermentation
  • The bright tank (forced carbonation vs natural)

Session 5: Evaluating Beer (4/10/17)

  • Packaging beer
  • Beer service (cleanliness/glassware)
  • Beer expiration
  • Critical evaluation and tasting
  • How to improve your palate
  • Good beer gone bad: off flavor training

Session 6: Food and Beer Pairing (4/24/17)

  • Why pair beer with food?
  • Pairing with beer vs wine
  • Basic taste elements
  • Congruent vs complementary food and beer pairing
  • Pairing tips and tricks

Got the Winter Blues? Modist Has You Covered

By on February 8, 2017in cooking & food, food pairing, general beer, misc. mn beer, MN, Modist Brewing, new beer, tap rooms

Summer festival season is still months away and the Modist crew wants to fill the void on February 18 from 5 pm until 10 pm with music, food, and beer. They’re partnering with ZZQ Smokehouse and Genius of Fun Promotions for the event which will feature music from Hurricane Harold & Doug Otto, Brothers Band, Black River Review, and Jorgensen Tagg Band.

Tickets will cost $39 and include:

3 pints of beer (see list below)
2 BBQ (pulled pork or chicken) sliders and a side (potato salad or coleslaw)
Live music
Specialty beers
Discounted room rate ($149) at Hewing Hotel

Modist will be serving their flagships TOATS, Smoove, Wasteland, pHresh, and First Call—as well as something from their Deviation Series and several specialty beers. Additional food and beer will be available for purchase at the event.

Cheers!

MNBeer Holiday Gift Guide

By on December 6, 2016in Bauhaus Brewlabs, Dangerous Man Brewing Co., Junkyard Brewery, Modist Brewing, Sisyphus, Summit Brewing Co., Surly Brewing Co.

ba-dmThe holidays are right around the corner and we’ve got some gift ideas for you over here at MNBeer. With so many choices it can seem a bit overwhelming at times. That’s why we’ve got you covered.

Surly Brewer’s Table Gift Card – The accolades keep piling up for the Jorge Guzman run fine dining restaurant located upstairs at the Surly destination brewery. The food is phenomenal and the way they pair it with the beer is unlike any other experience in town. This is why Food and Wine Magazine named it one of the top 10 Restaurants of the Year and they were not alone. Dara Moskowitz-Grumdahl also gave it high praise in her piece for Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine last spring. The gift card is available from $25 -$150.

Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild Ticket Pack – With over 100 brewery members, the guild is stronger than ever and the brewers often bring their best beers to these events. Winterfest is going to be at a new location this year (Target Field Legends Club) while the picturesque Bayfront Park in Duluth plays host to All Pints North in the summer. Autumn Brew Review serves as the finale and is held at the Grain Belt Brewery Complex in Northeast Minneapolis. If you have someone who loves local beer, this is the perfect gift pack ($300 includes 2 tickets to each event) for them.

Northern Lights Rare Beer Fest Tickets – What sets this beer fest apart from the others is that it features 30 breweries from here and around the country, and they bring beers that you may never see on local store shelves or on tap at the local breweries. The focus is on rare beers in an intimate setting with fantastic food included in the ticket price of $100. The Minnesota History Center is the perfect fit for this upscale event.

Hoodie and a Hat from Sociable Cider Werks – For $45 this is a great stocking stuffer. You choose a hat and a hooded sweatshirt, perfect for the cold Minnesota winter. Sociable Cider Werks specializes in apple graffes and their taproom is great place to check out music on the weekend and the fire pit is a great hangout on cold nights in the Twin Cities.

Crowlers from Dangerous Man, Bauhuas, Junkyard, Sisyphus, Sociable Cider Werks, and Modist – Let’s face it, beer is an affordable luxury and it makes the perfect gift. Stop in at any of these breweries and pick up a few crowlers. These 750 ml (size of a bottle of wine) cans of beer are perfect for the holiday dinner table or out back by the fire pit. They usually run anywhere from $7 – $10 each and are a great way to try beers from multiple breweries around town.

Dangerous Man Barrel-Aged Bombers – You know that delicious Peanut Butter Porter made by Dangerous Man in the Sheridan neighborhood? Yeah, they put that in Port wine barrels and aged it for months—and they’ll be releasing it on Saturday at the taproom. It’s gonna go very fast along with the Dopplebock (one of the best beers crafted by them) they aged in cedar rye whiskey barrels. The sale kicks off at noon and the bottles are priced at $20 each. Be sure to get there early if you want to pick these up. There will certainly be a line.