I ran into Midwest the other day to pick up some Cooper’s Carbonation Drops and noticed that volume 11 of their catalog is now out. I haven’t really had much time to browse through it, but noticed that the now-discontinued Superb Burner is no longer in the catalog, so I’m assuming it’s brand-spanking new.

Here’s an update from Fitger’s in Duluth that comes by way of BeerAdvocate. Whose arm must we twist to get on the list? I’ve sent a couple of e-mail messages to no avail. That being said, if we have any Duluth readers, updates would be greatly appreciated!

Greeetings from Fitgers Brewhouse.

We have a bit of new beer news for you.

Today we release a special version of El Nino Double Hopped IPA.
We call it the Olympic Version. We added more malt and hops and bumped the
alcohol up about 1% to 8% alc. This is as strong as an Imperial IPA and we
wanted to give the nod to all things Olympic.

Other new releases.
Rye IPA (RIPA) 7.6%
An IPA made with 30% rye malt and high alpha hops for a very green experience.

Amsterdam Ale 6.0% Our Belgian style pils/ale hybrid. Floral esters with smooth
malty goodness.

Plymouth Rock Stout 6.4%
An English style robust stout with an American twist. Very chocolate malt driven
with a dry woody finish.

We will also release a small amount of Double Daisy Ale.
This is an Imperial Red IPA. We will release this beer Wednesday Feb 22. It will
not last past Friday Feb 24 so hurry down if you want some.

We will also be releasing 2004 Hair O’ the Monk Triple ale later this week.

check www.brewhouse.net for updates and menu and music selections.

Thanks as always for your support.

Cheers
The Brewhouse Gang

Big news! On Saturday, Feb 18, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune will run an
article about Surly Brewing Company. Reporter Chris Riemenschneider and a
photographer spent more than two hours at the brewery this week and we had a
great time. At least I did. Gotta love photo shoots that entail drinking
lots of great beer.

Check this: Two weeks ago, Surly was available in just two Metro locations.
As of today, 13 area bars and restaurants have Bender, Furious or both! Now,
some of these establishments have yet to tap their Surly keg, so check out
the “Surly Bars” page and call the new additions with questions. Here are
the places that are currently pouring or will be this weekend: Acadia Café,
Blue Nile, Bryant Lake Bowl, Cafe Twenty Eight, Grumpy’s – Northeast, The
Happy Gnome, Mac’s Industrial, MacKenzies, McCormicks & Schmicks, The Muddy
Pig, Solera, Triple Rock Social Club, University Lounge. At this rate of
growth, we’ll be in every Minnesota watering hole in three months and should
surpass Budweiser later this year. Or something like that.

Two other notes: First of all, we’re not quite ready to give tours. We’re
finishing up a couple of building features mandated by the city, but then
the doors will open to our adoring public. You’ll be the first to know, we
promise. Secondly, we ain’t bottling anytime soon, so stop asking. Gosh! We
just began brewing, people! Give us some time to get our beer legs.

Now that we’re delivering Surly, we get to see lots of friendly faces
raising glasses. It’s so satisfying to see our hard work enjoyed by all
y’all. We never get tired of hearing about how people love the beer, so keep
the feedback coming. And remember; be sure to sport your Surly swag at bars.
We’re often out and about, and if we see you representing then your next
Surly is on us!

Cheers,
omar

It’s Wednesday again, and Minneapolis Town Hall has another new brew available, “Foolish” a Belgian-style Quadrupel that weighs in at a hefty 10.1% abv. 10oz. pours from 5-6 for $2.00. I had the pleasure of enjoying this one at Winterfest. And while my experience with this style is somewhat limited, I really liked Foolish.

This may be a little late for some folks (and others of you are probably still planning to run to the grocery store for flowers and/or chocolate after work), but Barley John’s has a cool Valentine’s Day dinner offering this evening, so if your significant other digs good beer and equally tasty food, check it out. At $80/plate, it’s not cheap, but Barley John’s food and beer are outstanding, and this will be no exception.

First: Lox and Crimini Duxelle roulade w/ Rose Honey garnish -or- Egplant and Black Bean Cakes w/ Miso Chili Sauce. Champagne by Jean-Noel Hatan Brut or Little Barley Bitter

Second: Chilled Leeks, Green Olives, Capers and Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette -or- Roasted Potato and Carrot Salad w/ Basil Citrus Dressing -or-Yellow and Green Bean salad w/ Prosciutto, Roasted Pine Nuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Fume Blanc or Sauvignon BLanc or Tripel Karmeliet

Main: Vegetable Selection -or- Grilled Ostrich w/ Sundried Cherry and Orange Sauce on handmade Basil pasta and sauteed Fenel -or- Pan seared Ahi Tuna, Scallops and Blue Prawns on Pappadalle w/ Rosemary Chevre sauce -or- Breast of Duck w/ Honey Ginger and Lavender with a Wild Rice Pilaf. Clera Pino Noir Central Coast 02-03 vingate or Wild Brunette.

Maple Pecan Cake served with a sherry or Winter Ale -or- Chocolate Deserte selection with Sherry Cline Big Break Zin or Old 8 Porter.

Great. Now I’m hungry!