Category: Surly Brewing Co.

Looking Ahead: Predicting 2016

By on December 18, 2015in beer events, Fair State Brewing, general beer, Indeed Brewing Co., Lake Monster, Lakes and Legends, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Republic, Steel Toe Brewing, Surly Brewing Co., tap rooms

Predictions

This was another great year for our local beer scene where we saw breweries such as Able Seedhouse, Lake Monster, Lakes and Legends and many more open their doors for business. We saw Dangerous Man introduce their barrel aging program, Fair State and Indeed brought forth their sour programs, and Bad Weather got themselves a new home in St. Paul. With 2016 right around the corner, I decided to look ahead and forecast what we might see happen in the next 12 months.

1. Local collaborations: We haven’t seen a ton of this in previous years, but I think we’ve come to a point where we will see some breweries putting their best foot forward in unison to bring us some lively brews. Our friends over at the Growler have been hard at work putting together “In Cahoots” which is an event that they host every summer encouraging which encourages local breweries to collaborate on brews that people can enjoy at the event itself. Can you imagine the Hoops brothers collaborating on one? Now that would be one tasty beverage.

2. Special beer verticals in taprooms: Now that some of these breweries have been in operation for a couple years, I think we will begin to see “mini-events” that feature verticals of vintage specialty beers. Take Steel Toe for instance. They held an event back in November called “A Barrel-Aged Trifecta” which featured 2015 Barrel-Aged Dissent, 2012 Barrel-Aged Lunker, and 2014 Barrel-Aged Lunker available as a flight or on their own. I could see breweries like Surly or Indeed doing something similar with Rum King or Darkness, and the turnout would be huge.

3. Locally made cocktails on tap lines at notable bars around town: Technically this is already happening at Republic Seven Corners right now where Tattersall has a couple different “pre-mixed” cocktails available on tap. This is certainly a way for local distilleries to get their products into popular bars around town and showcase some of the flavors, all while maintaining the consistency by eliminating poorly made drinks. I could see this gaining momentum as the popularity of locally made spirits seems to be on the rise.

4. The rise of the Lager: Lagers have a bad reputation over the years thanks to large breweries that are more interested in volume than flavor. This is a big misconception in that you can make some damn tasty Lagers without sacrificing quality or flavor. Expect to see a rise in Lagers (such as Pilsners, California Common, Amber Lagers, etc) being brewed around town and maybe with a little twist—especially at smaller breweries (think Town Hall) where they have more freedom to change up their beer menus frequently.

5. The “death” of struggling breweries: No one wants to think this will happen, but it is inevitable that at some point some of these breweries will not make it. I honestly don’t think there will be a lot of this going on at this point, I just feel that this might be the year we see one or two turn off the lights. This should also serve as a reminder to support your local brewery and give them honest feedback so that they can fix any issues with their beer, service etc. Trust me, they’d rather hear that than close up shop.

Cheers!

Acadia Beer & Beast & Darkness Cask Tonight

By on November 10, 2015in Acadia, bars/restaurants, beer dinners, cask beer, Surly Brewing Co.

Today (Nov. 10th), Acadia Cafe makes their monthly Beer and Beast event a bit more Surly than usual with a cask of Surly Darkness, one of only four made this year. Show up in a timely manner as this won’t last. The cask gets tapped at 5, followed by Beer & Beast at 6pm. This round they’re serving up smoked goat and sides to be paired with Surly Nein, an Imperial Smoked German-style Dunkel Weizen brewed to celebrate the brewery’s 9th anniversary. Celebrate!

acadiabb

 

 

Darkness Day This Saturday

By on October 23, 2015in Surly Brewing Co.

Since the first Darkness Day back in 2007, the event has literally blown up into something bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. On Saturday you can join thousands of beer fans at Surly Brewing Co.’s Brooklyn Center brewery for your chance to get your mitts on bottles of this year’s Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout.

Powermad at Surly Darkness Day2886747404199401295In 2007, hearty folks waited in line at the brewery starting around 6am. This year (and most other years, for that matter), beer nerds can begin lining up at dusk on Friday evening. The first 1,500 people in line will get a wristband that will allow said wristband-ee to purchase two different variations of Darkness – the original Russian Imperial Stout as well as a barrel-aged version. The wrist band will allow you to buy up to six bottles of “regular” Darkness and one bottle of Barrel-Aged Darkness (Further referred to as “Dorkness,” in this article.) Dorkness has been swimming in High West Rye Whiskey Barrels and is now ready to find its way to your cellar (or gullet). Dork.

Darkness day is from 11am to 5:30pm. When the gates of the brewery are opened, fan are welcome to join in on the festivities of the day with 13 Surly beers on tap, lots of metal, food and more.

Surly Darkness Day5309894469723225490

If you can’t make it out to Darkness Day or simply aren’t into crowds, rest assured that Darkness bottles will be hitting the shelves in Minnesota starting next week and Dorkness bottles will follow in early December. And if you’re unfortunate enough to live in Iowa, Wisconsin or Chicago, you’ll still be able to find bottles of both versions of Darkness in early December.

Darkness Eve at Stub and Herbs

By on October 22, 2015in bars/restaurants, breweries, Stub and Herb's, Surly Brewing Co.
Darkness Eve at Stub & Herb's \m/
Darkness Eve at Stub & Herb's \m/True to form, the fine folks at Stub & Herb’s have promised to play host to a “Darkness Eve” celebration at the bar this Friday starting at 7pm. They’ve assembled a variety of dark and spooky beers for your imbibing pleasures. See below for the complete tap list.
  • Surly Darkness 2014
  • Surly Darkness 2015 (Barrel Aged)
  • Surly Darkness 2015
    Surly 8
  • Surly 9
  • Surly Todd the Axeman
  • Lift Bridge Barrel-Aged Silhoutte ’13 and ’15
  • Indeed Rum King ’13, ’14, and ’15
  • Deschutes The Abyss ’13 and ’14
  • Green Flash Silva Stout
  • Goose Island Coffee BCBS
  • Founders KBS
  • Odell Russian Pirate
  • Avery Pump(KY)n
  • Deschutes Black Butte XXVII
  • Bent Paddle Black infusion
  • Alesmith Vietnamese Coffee Speedway Stout

Surly Rhubarb Farmhouse Ale at Chipotle Cultivate Festival Saturday

By on August 21, 2015in beer events, breweries, Surly Brewing Co.
Cultivate

Brewer at Surly Brewing Jerrod Johnson and Chipotle’s Manager of National Events Scott Robinson

No doubt you’ve heard that Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival is returning to Loring Park on Saturday. And once again, they’ve teamed up with our friends from Surly Brewing Company to brew an exclusive seasonal offering for the event.

In addition to celebrating all things good (i.e. food, music, beer and ideas), the event will include the “Cultivate Farmnouse Ale,” a Saison brewed with Minnesota barley and rhubarb. If you’d like to try it, we suggest you hit up the Cultivate festival on Saturday between 11am and 7pm. Otherwise you’ll be out of luck.

“For festival goers, Cultivate celebrates great local artisans in both food and drink. The talents of Head Brewer Todd Haug and his team at Surly perfectly exemplify that for the great city of Minneapolis,” said Scott Robinson, manager of national events for Chipotle. “The Farmhouse Ale was so well received last year that we tapped Todd’s team to create another unique beer that appeals to craft beer fans and highlights the great ingredients of Minneapolis.”

This year’s beer includes traditional Belgian malts, Slovenian hops, Minnesota rhubarb and barley grown and malted in Minnesota. We’re told to expect spicy clove notes thanks to the yeast and a rounded malt backbone to offset the tartness of the rhubarb. Wanna’ try it? You’ll be able to grab this beer as well as other great craft beers and wines from nearly a dozen local breweries and wineries in the Tasting Hall.

The event is free and you’ll have the opportunity to check out cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music, local food and other interactive fun. Check it out. To learn more about the the 2015 Cultivate Minneapolis Festival, visit http://chipotlecultivate.com/cities/minneapolis/.

rhubarb