Category: breweries

Surly Eight Release Party Sunday

By on November 6, 2014in bars/restaurants, breweries, Surly Brewing Co.
Surly Eight
Surly Eight
Surly Brewing Company celebrates their 8th anniversary this Sunday with the release of their eighth anniversary beer aptly named EIGHT! From 5-10pm at Dakota Jazz Club (1010 Nicollet Mall) they’ll be pouring EIGHT, an Oat Wine style ale aged in High West Rye Whiskey barrels as well as Todd the Axe Man, The Devil’s Work, Cynic, Hell and Furious. There will also be special menu item to pair with EIGHT, music from Doomtree’s DJ Paper Tiger, and special guests.
Pro tip: make a reservation. Visit http://www.dakotacooks.com/dining-reservations/ or call 612-332-1010. 

Schell’s Equinox Fresh Hop Pilsner

By on November 4, 2014in August Schell Brewing Co.

freshhop-150x480Our friends at August Schell Brewing Co., are really tearing things up as of late. We’re excited to share a little new about another new limited-release offering, a fresh hop pilsner featuring Equinox, a new hop variety recently developed by the Hop Breeding Company and Hopunion. If the name Hop Breeding Company doesn’t sound familiar, just note that they’re the folks that have brought you Mosaic, Citra and Simcoe hops.

“In our Fresh Hop series, we like to explore relatively new hop varieties, such as Citra, Mosaic, and Equinox,” said Schell’s brewmaster, Dave Berg. “It’s a good way for us to evaluate the variety for future use, while introducing consumers to what’s new in the wild world of hops.”

Hop Union describes Equinox as having a pronounced aroma profile with citrus, tropical fruit, floral and herbal characteristics. Specific descriptors include lemon, lime, papaya, apple, and green pepper. “In choosing Equinox, we considered both its aromatic properties and uniqueness. Fresh Hop beer enthusiasts will find Equinox to be a great aroma hop, with a lot of lemon-lime characteristics. It’s really unlike any anything we’ve worked with before.”

Schell’s Fresh Hop Equinox is a German-style pilsner with 45 IBUs and 5 percent ABV.

Schell’s Snowstorm 2014: Grand Cru

By on October 30, 2014in breweries

Schell's Snowstorm 2014: Grand CruI always look forward to Schell’s annual Snowstorm beer. I love that they change up the style year after year, and as far as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed the offerings. This year, Snowstorm is a Belgian-style Granc Cru. The folks at Schell’s brewed it with 2-Row Pilsner, Red Wheat, Red X, Special Roast, Light Chocolate malt and Tubinado sugar as well as coriander, bitter orange peel, sweet orange peel, and lemon peel. It’s been hopped to 20 IBUs with Opal and Cascade. Schell’s fermented with Forbidden Fruit yeast strain for fermentation. Schell’s Jace Marti says to look for a beer with a deep copper color and off white head and goes on to say, “The aroma is a combination of fruity esters from the yeast complimented by the citrusy notes of coriander, orange, and lemon peel. This beer is deceptively lighter bodied, with a lively carbonation and subtle warmth from the moderate alcohol. Fruity notes from the yeast carry over into the flavor profile with hints of citrus and light chocolate and a lasting dry finish.”
Can’t wait!

Bent Paddle Cold Press Black

By on October 23, 2014in Bent Paddle Brewing Co., breweries
Photo lifted from Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Photo lifted from Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

The first time I tasted the Cold Press variation of Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s black ale, I knew I had to have some more. Apparently I wasn’t the only one. Bent Paddle’s Bryon Tonnis says it’s been one of their most requested special offerings, “People really wanted to see this beer in cans from the first time we made it – so we did!”

Amen.

“The concept for this beer really started out as a way to vary our initial taproom offerings. When we opened a year and a half ago, we had two beers on tap and this was a way for us to explore the Black Ale recipe we had developed while offering our customers something new.” says Colin Mullen. Cold Press Black follows the same base beer recipe as Bent Paddle Black, but is infused with Duluth Coffee Company Cold Press just prior to packaging.

You should start to see Cold Press Black starting next week in 4-pack cans and in kegs.

Stats:
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.0%
IBU: 35
Style: Coffee Infused Black Ale
Malts: Pale, 2-Row, Golden Promise, De-husked Black Malt, Flaked Oats, C-165, C-20
Hops: CTZ, Willamette
Yeast: House Ale Strain

Waconia Brewing Taproom Opens Today at 2pm

By on October 22, 2014in breweries

waconiabrewinglogo250x250nobackToday we add another brewery to the ranks! Beer fans, let’s give a warm welcome to Waconia Brewing Company located in (get this!) Waconia, MN. Today at 2pm, Waconia will be the first brewery to open its doors in the town since 1890. If you’re free, stop by ant welcome them to the scene. They’ll have their Carver Co. Kolsch, 90K IPA, 255 Amber Ale and a Wit ready for your imbibing pleasure!

Waconia Brewing Company will be open from 2-9pm tonight. Normal taproom hours are 2-9pm on Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10pm on Friday and Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday.

Waconia Brewing Company
255 Main Street West 
Waconia, MN, USA