Category: history

Summit Celebrates 30 Years With Double IPA

By on March 12, 2016in history, hops, mnbeer.com, new beer, Summit Brewing Co.

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Back in 1983, Summit founder Mark Stutrud received a letter from The American Brewers Association. It read:

My dear Mr. Stutrud:
Thank you for your letter, and I note that you are working on a feasibility study on establishing a Micro-Brewery in the Twin Cities area.
Please know that I am not encouraging you to do so, because it is a long and hard road that you are planning to go down.
You did say that you would like to receive an Application for Membership, and it is enclosed.
With all best wishes, I remain
Sincerely,
William O’Shea

Now Summit is celebrating 30 years (They first opened in 1986) and they are releasing four different beers throughout the year to celebrate. The first is a Double IPA (sold in 4 packs of 16 oz cans) checking in at 101 IBUS. Tropical fruits dominate with a strong backing of Pale malt which bumps the ABV of this one to 8.5%.

I remember when I first tried Summit EPA years ago and I thought it was way too bitter. Summit brought us a taste of the craft beer movement that was going on out in California and to this day I still consider Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Summit EPA the standards for that style.

To that I raise you a glass Summit, and hope you see many, many more years of success.

Cheers!

A First Look at Star Keller

By on February 8, 2016in August Schell Brewing Co., beer travels, cooking & food, general beer, grand opening, history, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer, tap rooms

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New Ulm is a charming city, one that seems almost lost in simpler times. The city is home to one of the most respected breweries in the country, one that has survived the Dakota War of 1862, the Civil War, Prohibition, and The Great Depression. In fact, Schell’s is the second oldest family owned brewery (D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest) in the country.

But if you think that Schell’s is stuck in that time period, think again. Jace Marti (who is next in line to run the brewery) has his eyes set on opening an all sour brewery and taproom on the north side of town that he will call Star Keller. This will be the first all sour brewery and taproom in the state of Minnesota and let me tell you, it’s beautiful. It’s every bit steampunk and like nothing you’ve seen even up here in the cities. “Everything in this brewery is from the original brewery” says Jace.

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This includes a boiler from 1885, the original copper kettle for the base of the bar, ten cypress tanks, picnic boxes that make up the bar top, some old wooden ladders, a wall of weathered tin, some old taxidermy, and much, much more. Those cypress tanks along with all the fittings cost the brewery $3,437 eighty years ago this coming May. Which by the way is the target opening date. “We’re aiming for a May 1st opening which marks the 80th anniversary of those tanks” he says. Oh and that tin that adds a ton of character to the space, that was given to the Marti’s as a gift from the family of one of their barrel coopers from back in the day. Literally everything in this new space has a story.

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This brewery and taproom will serve sours exclusively made at the brewery. This lineup will be diverse and there will be 8 beers on at any given time. “We want to have a core lineup eventually” says Marti. “We’ll put tanks on a two year cycle for blending.”

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Yes, you read that right. Expect to see some Lambic and Flanders styles to go along with all of those excellent Berliner Weiss brews they’ve been putting out in the Noble Star Series. The taproom itself will have a capacity of 40-50 people. There is also a kitchen in the taproom where Jace hopes that local chefs will be able to play with the flavors in his funky brews and help to create a “local” experience. One thing is certain, this place is going to be a hit and will be well worth the trip for those of us up here in the city.

May can’t get here soon enough….

Cheers!

NorthGate Celebrates 3 Years

By on January 25, 2016in breweries, cask beer, general beer, Grumpy's NE, history, mnbeer.com, NorthGate Brewing, tap rooms

NorthGate

NorthGate opened quietly in Northeast Minneapolis back in 2013 with a capacity of only 500 barrels. With their recent expansion in their new building [they moved in 2014], the brewery is now able to produce 4,500 barrels of beer thanks to some new equipment. “They [two new tanks] make our current ones look tiny” says owner Adam Sjogren. “I can’t even reach the sample valve.”
The brewery also made the move to cans for their flagship brews this past year despite the apparent can shortage affecting the industry. “I can’t get Crown cans at all unless we get bigger. “That being said, I’m never not going to have cans.” The shortage is real, and manufacturers are being forced to give priority to larger breweries. Sjogren says that this could be related to the “bubble bursting” that so many are talking about. “The bubble will burst when there are no more raw supplies.”
According to Adam they are at least a year and half ahead of where they projected they’d be at this time. “I thought we learned our lesson the first time [in their original space], the space is shrinking fast.”
They are planning to celebrate the same as they always have, at Grumpy’s in Northeast on their anniversary which is January 28th beginning at 5 pm. Special casks will be on site and they anticipate a full house in celebration of 3 years. That wasn’t always the case though. At their one year they didn’t know what to expect. “That first anniversary party started at 5 pm and I didn’t think anyone would show up” he says. Instead the place was packed, much to his surprise. Looking back Sjogren can’t believe how fast the time has gone by. “It’s been way better, way faster, and way more challenging.”
The brewery will also host a party on Saturday, January 30th beginning at 10 am. They will be releasing 750 ml bottles of their 2016 Fiddle Smasher which is a Wee Heavy, and also a new Imperial Red Ale (also will debut on tap at Grumpy’s on the 28th) which will both only be available for sale at the tap room. What’s really neat about the deal is that if you buy a pair of this year’s bottles, you can buy a pair of last year’s for $30 as well.
After 3 years and what seems like a lifetime of comradery among industry folks, he seems content doing what loves in the Northeast portion of the city. “It seems to be ingrained [comradery] in the industry, we are closer than the outsiders know.”
If you go:
Thursday, January 28th at 5 pm
Grumpy’s Northeast
2200 4th Street Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Saturday, January, 30th at 10 am
NorthGate Brewing
783 Harding St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Cheers!

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Local Beer Enthusiasts

By on December 14, 2015in beer education, Fair State Brewing, Fulton Brewing Co., history, MN

Holiday shopping can be a daunting task, especially when you don’t know what to get someone. The good news is we’ve got some ideas here at MNBeer.com for the beer loving folks in your life. Here are some ideas for you to ponder as the time winds down.

Fulton Gift Pack
Fulton Beer, Red Table Meats, and The Lone Grazer Creamery have teamed up to bring you some fantastic snacks and beer to go, just in time for the holidays. For those of you who haven’t tried anything from either Red Table or The Lone Grazer, you are missing out. The set includes two Fulton pint glasses, a growler of beer, salami, and a wheel of cheese.
If you really want to impress someone, go with Worthy Adversary for your growler fill and they will love you forever. If that’s not your thing, you can’t go wrong with the Lonely Blonde. This took home Bronze at the Great American Beer Festival and should be in your fridge on the regular. Pick this set up at the Fulton taproom before they sell out. $50

Fair State Membership
Fair State Brewing is the Minneapolis cooperative brewery that has been making waves since they opened up shop just over a year ago. Now’s the time to get someone in on the fun by gifting them a membership. This gift will go a long way in that they will receive voting rights, happy hours, a free anniversary pint, and the biggest benefit….priority access to special releases. Their special bottle releases have really been a hit and as you probably know, they sell out fast. At the very least this would give your special friend or family member an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy a tasty local brew. Lifetime membership $200

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Have a friend who has tried about every beer you can think of? Ha! There’s no way they have, and to prove it you should get them tickets to Northern Lights Rare Beer Fest coming up on March 12th at the Minnesota History Center. Here they will find the some of the rarest brews from some of the most respected breweries around the country. Here is the lineup from last year to give you a taste. $100

Land of Amber Waters
Got a history buff in your circle? Doug Hoverson’s Land of Amber Waters is the best record of the history of brewing here in Minnesota. This is still the best reference manual about the local suds that have been brewed over the years first published in 2007. One of the most impressive things about this written record are the illustrations of breweriana (yes, that’s a word) from around the state. This is one gift that should be on the coffee table of any Minnesota beer aficionado. $40

Lift Bridge Gift

If you are looking for a simple gift idea for a reasonable price, you might want to go with this gift pack from Lift Bridge Brewing. It includes a koozie, an empty growler, a key chain bottle opener, and a $15 gift card which is to be used to fill the growler with the beer of their choice. Pick this gift set up at their brewery which is located in Stillwater. $35
Also please remember to shop local whenever possible. There are many local merchants out there trying to feed their families.

Cheers!

A Few New Chop & Brew

By on September 13, 2014in beer education, general beer, history, homebrew, video

We’ve fallen a bit behind on posting new Chop & Brew episodes — so here’s a quick update for the homebrewers out there!

Episode 28 “AHA Wort Rally Beer Tasting Notes” features a taste panel on four very different beers made from the same Double Black IPA wort donated to homebrewers by Lucid Brewing Company at this year’s AHA Wort Rally. See how much impact the changes in dry hopping and yeast made to the beers.

Episode 29 “Bad Ass Barrelfied Imperial Porter” finds the krewe of Chop & Brew homebrewing a wicked Imperial Porter and conditioning half of the batch in a recently-emptied Woodinville Whiskey Company rye whiskey barrel. Tasting notes and discussion includes advice on barrel-aging in second-use barrels.

Episode 30 “Rhubarb Saison” features a homebrewed saison that includes four pounds of rhubarb throughout the brewing and fermentation stages for a dry, tart saison.