breweries – Page 55 – MNBeer – Craft beer information from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul and beyond

Barley John’s to Build Brewery in Wisconsin

By ryan on February 4, 2014in breweries

Nick Halter’s Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal article (Barley John’s Brew Pub plans Wisconsin brewery) rolled across my screen and brought up some truly mixed emotions. Barley John’s hosted one of MNBeer’s early get-togethers and I’ve been drinking their beer and enjoying their excellent food for years. I love those guys and that place. So while it’s awesome to hear that they’re planning to forge ahead with a production brewery, it’s really a bummer that it won’t be in Minnesota.

Barley John’s John Moore has made no bones about the fact that he wants to expand and that he’d go to Wisconsin if we didn’t change our laws in Minnesota. Under current state law, he can’t package and sell his beer to a distributor, retailer or bar. True to his word a Barley John’s production brewery will open in the spring in New Richmond, Wisconsin. The 13000 sq/ft location will include a taproom and an overall capacity of 10000 bbl. According to the article, Moore plans to produce around 7000 bbl in the first year.

“I would rather have done it here, two minutes away, but that’s not the way it is,” Moore said. “The law is not in favor of brewpubs. It’s in favor of breweries.”

…

Barley John’s still won’t be able to distribute beer in Minnesota, but will sell in Wisconsin. Moore said Minnesota residents will be able to buy his beer in border towns.

Brewpubs have been fighting this fight in Minnesota for years. Long before anyone ever thought the Taproom Bill would ever be a reality, legislation to allow brewpubs to distribute was moving along nicely, and may have even been railroaded by the desire to sell pints at the brewery. (To read a little more about unique brewpub legal issues, check out this article by Elliot Ginsburg and Erin Conway.)

In 2006, a fairly politically active Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild was very close to making this happen. Shouldn’t we change things before we lose another brewery and it’s associated employees, taxes & revenue to another state? What happens when Minnesota’s two largest brewpubs reach the cap of 3500 bbl/year?

Folks, let’s not lose another brewery to Wisconsin.

Big Wood Brewery Taproom Opens Friday

By ryan on February 3, 2014in breweries

Big news! (Pun not intended, though timely.) White Bear Lake’s Big Wood Brewery will open their taproom to the public this Friday, February 7th. For their taproom, they tapped into the history of the area and their turn-of-the-century building. According to Big Wood’s Steve Merila, “We wanted to build something unique, something that fit into the existing décor of this historic town and it took a while to accomplish that. I think that we set the record for the longest, most awaited Taproom.” The taproom features a nice array of materials reclaimed from old White Bear Lake buildings, barns and fallen trees. Go check it out Friday!

The Taproom will be open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 pm to 10 pm and Saturdays from 1 pm to 10 pm. They will sell growlers, beer by the glass and offer tours of the brewery.

Fulton War & Peace Release Saturday

By ryan on January 30, 2014in bars/restaurants, breweries

I caught a little flack for dissing W. Axl Rose & the song “Patience” with Fulton’s last bottle release. I’ve yet to apologize (I’m more of a “Nighttrain” kind of guy.), but I’ll be much nicer with their latest release, War and Peace. A little secret? I’ve never read Russian author Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” I realize it doesn’t redeem me, but I do really like Peace Coffee. Not enough? An unlabeled bottle of Fulton’s Russian Imperial Stout was the first of their offerings to pass my lips before the brewery began producing beer for the public. Good enough?

In any case, the latest Garage Series beer from Fulton, War & Peace will be released this Saturday at their taproom. They’ll be offering 10 oz. pours for $6 and 750ml bottles for $15 each with a limit of two per person. And if you don’t get enough coffee in you from the beer, the fine folks from Peace Coffee will be there sampling their brews as well.

Look for War & Peace around the Twin Cities on draft and in bottles in the following weeks. You’ll also want to mark February 6th on your calendar as Butcher & the Boar will be tapping one of the first War & Peace kegs, the aforementioned Patience (don’t whistle), and one of a few keds of Libertine aged in special Butcher & the Boar Knob Creek bourbon barrels.

Summit Frost Line Rye Comin’ Atcha

By ryan on January 30, 2014in breweries

We first told you about Summit’s new in-between seasonal offering, Frost Line Rye back in October. We’re excited to say that you should start seeing it this week. For those of you playing along at home, this beer is Summit’s fifth, tucked nicely in between Winter Ale and Maibock (..shhh! Hold that thought. I know some of you have already seen Maibock in spring samplers.).

Here’s what Damian had to say about the beer: “We’ve had our four seasonal brews for a long time, but as these winters seem to get longer and longer, we thought we would introduce a beer that helps folks make it to spring with their sanity intact.”

Earlier reports suggested that this beer was inspired in-part by Mike Lundell’s Unchained 3: India Style Rye Ale. Frost Line Rye will highlight the earthiness and spice from several varieties of rye and unique hops. Look for a little citrus, some floral notes and a bitter & dry finish.

How ’bout we drink some today?

Deets:
Malts: US pale, US pale rye, US caramel rye, German chocolate rye, US flaked rye
Hops: Summit, Citra, dry-hopped: Citra, Experimental hop #01210
ABV: 5.8%
IBUs: 55

A New Look for Grain Belt

By ryan on January 28, 2014in breweries

The look of Grain Belt really hasn’t changed much over the years. And while Schell’s has owned the brand since 2002, they’ve always been fairly hesitant to change the look of Grain Belt. Certainly a facelift for Grain Belt needs to be treated delicately, given it’s dedicated following and rich history.

According to Schell’s Jace Marti, the new design drew inspiration from the aesthetics of Grain Belt’s look back in the 50s and 60s, – iconic and classy. “When we finally decided it was time to update the packaging, that look was what immediately came to mind. It’s a great family look that stays true to it’s roots…”The brewery has also acquired some great old Grain Belt ads and artwork that will serve as inspiration for new ads and signage for the brand “It’s going to be such a stark contrast to all the American Lager ads you see out there today, I think it’s really going to be a fun, refreshing change.” Very true! Look for the new campaign in February.