Category: breweries

Here ye, hear ye! Senate Hearing on Wednesday!!

By on April 1, 2011in beer events, beer laws, breweries

PLEASE NOTE: The hearing has been re-scheduled to Wednesday, April 6th at 5:30 pm in room 123 of the Capitol. Also the bill allowing liquor stores to sell merchandise has been added to the agenda.

Do you live in the district of a Senator who sits on the Senate Commerce Committee? Then your voice is needed! Surly is asking folks to call in and voice support for the bill that would allow them (and other breweries) to sell pints. Also on the committee’s agenda is the legislation allowing brew pubs to expand their distribution.

From the Surly Facebook page:

Surly Needs YOU! On Tuesday, April 5,Wednesday April 6 the bill to allow Surly to sell pints of our own beer at our proposed Destination Brewery, will be heard by the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill needs to pass this committee to keep moving.

We need our supporters who live in the districts of the Senate Commerce Committee members to contact them. Let them know you support SF 416 and ask them to support the bill at the April 5th hearing.

We need these 15 members to know their constituents support Surly, Minnesota craft beer, jobs and small business, so please call or email them before next Tuesday.

Find your legislator here:
http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/

Senate Commerce Committee member list here:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_bio.php?cmte_id=1024&ls#members

(Click on the member’s name for their contact information)

If your Senator is NOT on the committee, don’t get surly. Keep following us here for ways you can help & have your voice heard. The hearing next week is the first step in the process. You can also attend the hearing next Tuesday at 10:30am Wednesday at 5:30 pm in Room 123 at the State Capitol.

Location and directions to the Capitol here:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.aspx?subject=14

THANK YOU Surly Nation! With your help and support we can make this happen.

Olvalde Tastings: Ale Jail & Four Firkins

By on April 1, 2011in beer events, beer stores, breweries

For the first time in the Twin Cities, Olvalde Farmhouse Ales, MN’s newest (real!) brewery will be tasting The Auroch’s Horn, a strong Belgian style golden ale TODAY at the Ale Jail from 4-6pm. Stop in and support another local brewery! Adam asks “Did I mention it’s brewed with honey, 10% ABV and delicious?” Only one way to find out. Head over today.

And if Friday doesn’t work for you, The Four Firkins will be hosting an event with Joe from Olvalde Farmhouse Ales as well. from 6-8pm Saturday.

Joe does just about all the work for the brewery including hand bottling, corking and caging his 750ml bottles.

“The Auroch’s Horn is a nod to the Belgian Strong Golden style. Joe uses an American yeast strain along with honey to create a 10% ABV golden ale refermented in the bottle with hints of lemon, pear, peach and honeysuckle. Complimenting these flavors throughout is a light honey essence.”

Schell’s Stag Series #4, Summit Unchained #7

By on April 1, 2011in breweries

In a move that surprised even myself, I got a note today from brewer Dave Berg announcing that Schell’s next Stag Series beer will be a “German IIPA” with nods to both the breweries German heritage and current fascination with big, bold, boozy hoppy beers. Said Berg, “Not many people know this, but after a few years in New Ulm, I’ve developed a bit of a fascination with with hop-forward beers. It came as a surprise really… like discovering The Suburbs in high school. They just blew me away.” Berg said that the beer will feature pilsener and Munich malts as well as loads and loads of Hallertau hops and Schell’s house lager yeast. Lager yeast? “Yes. That’s one of the “secrets’ to make this beer special.”

Also finding its way to my inbox tonight was yet another internal memo from Summit Brewing Co., detailing their latest Unchained beer. This beer, said to be a departure from the rest of the series actually draws inspiration from The Blue Nile’s Al McCarty. “It’s a blend, a veritable “Suicide” so to speak. Of course we’re not calling it that…” McCarty lent his expertise and began blending Summit offerings over the course of several months. The beer is a careful blend of Summit’s EPA, Horizon Red, Porter and a high octane version of their Oatmeal Stout that will be blended aged in French oak barrels with additions of vanilla beans & cocoa nibs. “It’s gnarly. Period.” Look for it on tap in early June, and in bottles by mid-June.

Looks like we’ve been duped. Al & Summit confirmed that this indeed is a joke.

Castle Danger Launch

By on March 31, 2011in breweries

Castle Danger Brewery fires up, Mike Creager, Lake Country News Journal

“Life’s definitely busy.”

Owners Jamie and Clint MacFarlane own Castle Haven Cabins. No doubt they’ll be quite busy in upcoming months… running a resort is a lot of work, and from what we hear, running a brewery is no small affair, either. Castle Danger is delivering kegs now and plans to get a license to sell growlers. You can catch them at Gitchee Gumee or places such as Sir Benedict’s in Duluth. We wish them the best of luck!