Category: new beer

MN Beer Notebook: News From Around Town

By on December 28, 2015in August Schell Brewing Co., Bad Weather Brewing Co., breweries, brewpubs, general beer, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, new beer, Steel Toe Brewing, Surly Brewing Co.

Dangerous Man

Here are some tidbits from around town as the holidays wind down.
Dangerous Man has just released their SMASH IPA and it’s fantastic. Citra lovers will rejoice over this one as it’s composed of 100% Citra hops and Simpson’s Golden Promise malt. It’s available on tap and in the growler room. Also on tap is Sour Delores #2. This kettle sour was brewed with raspberries and it is also available both on tap, and in the growler room.

The Belgian Pale Ale I helped brew over at Bad Weather Brewing is now on at their St. Paul taproom. I’ve yet to try it but I’m hearing good things. This means I may not have messed it up after all.

Surly canned more Abrasive recently and it should be available in stores throughout January 2016. Now if they’d only can Todd the Axe Man all year long….

Buffalo Trace is on the Barrel Reserve line at Town Hall Brewery. The brewery recently decided to dedicate a draft line to their spectacular barrel aged program. They’ll even have some 750 ml bottles for sale starting today at the brewery.

The popular Double IPA they call Size 11 is making a return mid-January at Steel Toe Brewing. They also have 750 ml bottles of Wee Heavy ($10) and Lunker ($20) for sale in bottles at the taproom. I’m hearing whispers that the supply of Lunker is getting pretty low, so you’d better act quickly if you’re looking to get some.

Schell’s is releasing a Bock sampler pack that is available now here in the Twin Cities. It consists of a pre-prohibition style, heirloom wheat, a 90s version, and their current variety.

Cheers!

Bauhaus and Fair State Set to Release New Beers This Week

By on December 16, 2015in Bauhaus Brewlabs, beer stores, Fair State Brewing, general beer, new beer, tap rooms

Scottish Ale

When you think of a Scottish-Style Ale you tend to think of a peaty beer backed with a boozy punch. Bauhaus broke down some of those walls with their brand new Scottish-Style Dark Ale named Tallander. First of all, the name (in Bauhaus fashion) is a nod to the 1986 movie “Highlander” that we all know and love. The beer itself is different in that it’s very drinkable at 6 % ABV and has some of those nice caramel notes typical of Scottish malts while teasing the palate with a tiny bit of smokiness. While sampling this one I couldn’t help but think of standing around a backyard fire pit with a Tallander in hand.
This brew can be found in 4 packs of 16 oz. cans at your local bottle shop, and on tap at the “Haus” in Northeast Minneapolis. Growlers will also be available.

Fair State’s first bottle release went so well that they decided to do it again. This time they are bringing Saison Drei to market which is a Brettanomyces Aged Saison. Expect some funky characters from the Brett that will mature over time—which means you can sit this one down in your cellar for a while. Brewer Niko Tonks had this to say about their latest release. “We modeled this beer after some of the beers we enjoy drinking the most. We hope you will enjoy it this holiday season, and down the road as well.”

This 5.7 % ABV will be on sale in the taproom ($11 per bottle) on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 17th in 750 ml bottles. I’m told that they will have more bottles for sale this time around and that the brew will also be on tap that day.

Cheers!

Schell’s Stag Series No. 9

By on March 31, 2015in August Schell Brewing Co., breweries, new beer

Schells_Stag9_LageringCavesThe 9th beer in Schell’s Stag Series, is a nod to the 155 year old company’s 19th century brewing traditions. The limited edition offering is a dark lager aged in American whiskey barrels and stored in the brewery’s original lagering caves below the brewery. The lagering caves date back to the 1860s, an era that predated electrical refrigeration.

I plan to crack one of these beers open later today, but I’m told that the veer is extremely dark and features notes of roasted malt, dark chocolate, toffee, car and  vanilla. Barring blueberry Grain Belt, Schell’s never fails me. 🙂

It’s great to see the brewery embracing tradition and history and reshaping it to suit today’s beer nerds. I love the fact that Schell’s has chosen to take advantage of their unique and historic space. The brewery has plans to continue to use the historic lagering caves as a laboratory for traditional brewing techniques to create unique new beers. I can’t wait to see more!

Coming Soon: Bauhaus Brewlabs Über Düber

By on January 14, 2015in Bauhaus Brewlabs, new beer

uberduberdooBauhaus Brew Labs is coming at you with another winter seasonal offering – Über Düber. Über Düber is described as a “hoppy bock.” This beer is loosely based on a traditional German bock, albeit hopped up a bit. They’re added Oceanic hops to this traditionally malt-forward beer. At 7%, we’re curious to see how these two elements play together. Bauhaus notes earthy flavors of Black currant and cherry as well as a “straight up dank” aroma. I’m down for a few pints!

Look for 22 oz. bombers of Über Düber in stores in late January. And if you can’t wait, it will debut at the St. Paul Winter Beer Dabbler on January 24th. You’ll also be able to catch it on tap at Bauhaus and select other locations starting on the week of January 26th.

Summit Unchained 17 – Harvest Fresh IPA

By on August 12, 2014in breweries, new beer
summit unchained 17, harvest fresh ipa

summit unchained 17, harvest fresh ipa

Considering that Unchained 16 hasn’t yet hit your pint glass, we’re probably jumping the gun here (better to jump the gun than a shark, though)… regardless, here are some details about Summit Unchained #17, “Harvest Fresh IPA” courtesy of brewer Tom Mondor. Right now the tentative release is planned for the week of October 20th. Summit describes it as “an exploration of fresh hops picked at the peak of the fall harvest and shipped directly to Summit.” Included in the mix will be fresh hop pellets from Roy Farms, pelletized fresh from the kiln floor. These pellets include Centennial, Cascade and Chinook with additions of fresh, wet Chinook hops from Michigan.

They’re shooting for a beer that weighs in around 7% ABV and 70-80 IBUs, Given all of those “C” hops, you can expect some citrus from the beer. Summit says it will have notes of pine, resin, grapefruit and citrus along with a strong malt backbone. Look for it in 12 oz. bottles, kegs and perhaps some firkins.