Interesting news from Cellars in Minnetonka… they’re under new ownership. Hopefully the transition will be a smooth one and Cellars will continue to provide the same great service and variety of beers.

Hello, fellow beer lovers, after months of rumors and plenty of speculation, it has finally become official: The Minnetonka Cellars will be under new ownership as of Monday, March 6th. Saini, the new owner, has been working part-time with us for the past couple of months, and has seen first-hand what it is that makes this store tick. He has also assured us that the layout will be basically the same, and that he will do everything in his power to continue the tradition of excellent brews to follow in the footsteps of Jason and Ryan before him. It has been a blast for both Jason and myself to spend the past year talking beer with you fine gentlemen (and gentlewomen), and we hope to see you all again before we’re sent on our merry way. As far as what will be happening with the two of us (or our part-time staff, for that matter), we still have no idea. Jason will likely stick around for a week or two to make sure Saini gets off to a good start, and to make the transition period goes as smoothly as possible. If you haven’t yet crossed paths with the new owner, I suggest you do so next time you’re in the neighborhood. He and his wife are both very nice people, and they understand that the market for rare and specialty beer are invaluable to this store. For the past couple of months, Jason has helped him in every way possible with beer and liquor ordering, so you members of the esteemed ale mail list will remain in touch with the store, and continue to get updates when new and exciting products become available. Orders will still arrive for about two months after the new owner takes over. We appreciate all the support that this store has received from you over the past years and hope that you continue to shop here in the future.
YIPPIE KAHY YEAH (Mother !@#$%^&)!!!!
Thanks,
Jason, Adam & The Staff

Great Waters has a new pulled beer, “The Apocalypse.” With a name like that, it HAS to be good. Rock Bottom also has a new beer on tap, Bottom’s Up Bitter. O’Hara’s Brew Pub in St. Cloud now has a Maibock on tap.

Friends, I’m about ready for a beer. You?

Northern Brewer is now taking pre-orders for hop rhizomes. Available varieties include Brewer’s Gold, Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Fuggle, Hallertau, Goldings, Mt. Hood, Nugget, Sterling and Willamette. Personally, I’m thinking about growing some Centennial and Mt. Hood this year.

Have you ever wanted to grow your own hop plants? If so, you will need to
purchase a hop rhizome, which is a root cutting from a female hop plant.
We have a good selection of hop rhizomes to offer this year, and they
are available for pre-order on our website:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/rhizomes.html

This year, we will be shipping rhizomes to you directly from Oregon, in
the heart of hop country. Since hop rhizomes are a living plant, we feel
that this is the best way to get healthy rhizomes from the hop growers in
the Pacific Northwest to your door.

There are shipping restrictions on rhizomes — we can’t send them
internationally, or to Hawaii or Idaho. See our website for details.

Another release from Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, this week, a smoked dunkel weizen. Last week’s Simcoe Pale Ale was awesome. Save some for me you thirsty bastards!

Hey All,
The ESB is about gone, we will release a new beer Wed. 3/1….but keep
this in mind. When the ESB runs dry (probably tonight) we will fill
that line with a few favorites from the cellar until the Wednesday
release. You may want to call and see what treat is available, I don’t think
they will last long.

Our Wednesday release is Smoked Dunkel Weizen, no fancy names here.
This beer speaks for itself. Stop by and have a pint Wednesday, 5-6pm
Smoked Dunkel for $1 per pint. Some of you asked for another
fire…this may be our last chance.

If you’re a member of the American Homebrewers Association, MNBeer.com would like to suggest that you vote for Curt Stock of St. Paul for the 2006 Governing Committee.