Last night Fulton’s rye saison, The Expat made its triumphant return with a kick-off party at Smack Shack in Minneapolis. If you missed it, fear not. You’ll find this beer on tap at other fine establishments and, for the first time, in bottles.
The Expat features plenty of Sterling hops and just enough rye and wheat to make a homebrewer scream “rice hulls!” Coupled with French Saison yeast, you’ll find a great interplay of spice with the mix of hops, rye and saison yeast.
Wabasha Brewing Company momentarily took the seat designated as “Minnesota’s newest brewery” yesterday, pouring pints for thirsty craft beer fans in St. Paul. Starting as an idea “eight beers in” (or thereabouts), the guys from Wabasha are offering up four beers (cream ale, porter, IPA, IIPA) in pints and growlers for your imbibing pleasures.
Wabasha brewing company has a 15 barrel brewhouse and 7 barrel fermenters packed into a space of about 1200 square feet. Needless to say it’ll be cozy. Nothing wrong with that! Future plans include an expanded taproom, more fermenters and patio seating.
If you go…
They’re open Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 9pm. Closed Sunday – Wednesday.
Here’s a fun little video with Eric and Gabe from Summit Brewing and some Hop Silo. Enjoy.
Fans of Surly and/or Doomtree take note: Surly Doomtree cans will be available for the first time in Minnesota later today at The Depot Tavern as part of Doomtree’s First Avenue pre-party event. If you were fortunate enough to get your hands on tickets to tonight’s sold-out show, you’ll also be able to drack open a can of Doomtree at the show.
What’s that? You didn’t get tickets for the show? You may be in luck, friend – there will also be ticket giveaways for the sold out show at 6pm.
Look for cans around the state starting next week.
Here’s the description of the beer, courtesy of Dessa:
Surly started with some homebrewing in a garage. Doomtree started with some noisemaking in a basement. Careful what you do in your spare time in your spare rooms, man. That stuff just might take over your whole life.
A decade later, Doomtree meets Surly. Instant crush. We’re both indie and strong-willed. We love Minnesota and we’re allergic to focus groups. We don’t have a formal professional outfit between us.
We convene at the brewery to scheme. Working in extreme secrecy, we decided to make a beer team Surly suggests, a “bastardized style” that will build on a classic, but buck convention. Doomtree cannot nod vigorously enough. We know this style. Guided by instinct, we came up with this dark gold, toasty, aromatic, subtly spicy, bitter enough, dry-hopped brew. Best enjoyed cold, in a spare room, with new friends.
Watch. Laugh. Contribute.
Brooks High Beer Battered has my attention. Their Kickstarter video is nothing short of awesome. Stop what you’re doing and watch it. Now. What do you think?
What’s not to like about beer-battered goodness that begins with a base of Minnesota craft beer? They’ve already secured partnerships with two Minnesota breweries (Bauhaus and LynLake) and their beer-battered walleye looks… excellent. Check them out.