News & Updates

Stanley’s Beer Vs. Wine Dinner Thursday

By on May 1, 2012in bars/restaurants, beer dinners, beer events

Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room is holding a beer vs. wine dinner on Thursday, May 3rd. Six wines. Six beers from Brooklyn Brewery. $75/person, $135/couple.  Social hour begins at 6:30 pm with dinner to follow at 7:00 pm. Diners will vote for their favorite after each round. Follow this link to purchase tickets.

1st course: Amuse bouche: Kalamata olive tapanade. Crostini. Capers, garlic, lemon, tomato, bleu cheese.
Beer:  Brooklyn radius (a belgian session beer only sold in the “radius” of the brewery.)
Wine: Avissi Prosecco

2nd course: Arugula fig salad. Baked bacon & goat chz wrapped figs, toasted slivered almonds, onion, citrus vinaigrette.
Beer: Brooklyn Companion (weat wine, bottle conditioned)
Wine: Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc

3rd course: Peppercorn seared ahi tuna steak. Fresh avacado salsa (cilantro,mango,pickled ginger), wasabi, ginger soy, scallions, won-ton chips.
Beer:  Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
Wine: Terra d’ Oro Barbera

4th course: Chicken a la king.  Wild mushroom/ bell pepper creamsauce, poached chicken, fried leeks, wild rice stuffed crepes.
Beer: Brooklyn Wild 1  (local 1 brewed with wild yeast, never sold)
Wine: Folie a’ Deux Russian River Chardonnay

5th course: Braised beef short ribs w/ polynesian bbq. Garlic butter noodles, scallions, ginger/garlic/hoisin BBQ sauce.
Beer:  Brooklyn Mary’s Maple Porter
Wine: Folie a’ Deux Dry Creek Zinfandel

6th course: Cranberry orange creme brule.  House made cranberry/orange compote.
Beer: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Wine: Menage a’ Trois Moscato

MIA Third Thursday: Craft Brews

By on May 1, 2012in beer events, breweries

Here’s another excuse for you to visit my favorite Twin Cities art museum – The Minneapolis Institute of Arts‘ Third Thursday in May involves craft beer! From 6-9pm on Thursday, May 17th Summit Brewing & The MIA will attempt to fuse beer, art and good times.

–Summit brewer Mike Lundell will be on hand to talk brewing.
-Cash bar featuring a variety of Summit beers.
-Learn about beer ingredients with Northern Brewer.
-Check out Summit’s guide to beer & art pairing.
-Music from locals, White Light Riot.
-No entry fee.

Two Liquor Store Bills Signed into Law By Gov. Dayton

By on April 28, 2012in beer laws, beer stores

Congrats to The Four Firkins and everyone else who supported two bills that give liquor stores in Minnesota a little more flexibility. We covered them a few months ago here…

So what will these bills allow? One will allow liquor stores to sell store-branded apparel. The other will allow liquor stores to charge a fee for tasting/education events in order to pay folks like myself big bucks to sample beer with their patrons special guest speakers.

Also included in the omnibus liquor bill are provisions to allow for beer sales at the U of M’s TCF Bank Stadium (and if I follow correctly, sales can’t be limited solely to the suites) as well as a bill allowing breweries that aren’t distributed in Minnesota to sample beer at one festival a year.

Between the Bluffs Homebrew Coverage

By on April 28, 2012in homebrew

Here’s a little press piece on the homebrew portion of Between The Bluffs Beer Wine and Cheese Fest in Lacrosse that features local judge and homebrewer, Steve Piatz. The fest is today should you find yourself bored, thirsty and hungry. The Cassanova Beer Cave Festival is today, too and is highly recommended, but sadly sold out. If you’re looking to stay a bit closer to home, there’s The Running Aces Beer Fest, in Columbus, MN from 4-7. $25.