News & Updates

StoutFest at the Blue Nile

By on October 22, 2011in bars/restaurants, beer events

As fall transitions to winter so do the beers. Al at the Blue Nile brings you the opportunity to get your fill of porters and stouts at StoutFest.

Once again, our tapline goes dark this Halloween weekend. All porters and Stouts on tap, with sample sets available, so you can try them all without passing over to the dark side. Look for Surly Darkness, Bell’s Expedition Stout, Deschutes The Abyss, Odell Bourbon Barrel Stout, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, and more! Free pints to costumed imbibers (of anything that’s served in a pint.)

Brewing TV #47: I-SoloBrewMaster

By on October 21, 2011in general beer, homebrew

New episode of Brewing TV online now. Once again, Dawson is stuck in St. Paul while Jake & Chip were out covering the Great American Beer Festival. But he doesn’t seem to mind. Mike grabs the JV Squad camera for a solo brew mission. He salvages what’s left in his grain bin and freezer, hangs out with his only friend iBrewMaster, and gets all ninja-style on some yeast washing.

Pilsner Tapping at Rock Bottom

By on October 20, 2011in beer events, brewpubs

Rock Bottom is tapping their next seasonal beer, Pival Knievel Daredevil Pilsner, “a Czech style Pilsner or Piva, made with Bohemian malt, Sterling hops and fermented with a Czech yeast strain.” While the teaser they’ve thrown out of “tapping this beer while attempting to leap the entire length of the bar and landing in the middle of a burning ring of fire” probably won’t happen maybe you can talk some friend into doing something ill advised later on.

Heritage Thursday Tasting – Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (’11 and ’09)

By on October 20, 2011in beer events, beer stores

Heritage Thursday Tasting… Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2009 & 2011).

For our Thursday Tasting on October 20th from 5-7PM, we’re making all the stout lovers very happy, and it’s not just because we’ve finally reached stout drinking weather. To celebrate the first release of Brooklyn Brewing’s Black Chocolate Stout in Minnesota, you’ll be able to sample the new 2011 release alongside the 2009 vintage. It’s a great opportunity to taste the effects aging has on beer, especially a big Imperial Stout like this one.

We know we have to keep the hopheads happy, too, and since hop harvest is our favorite time of the year, our 20% off Bomber of the Week is the first time release of Deschutes Brewery’s Heirloom Fresh Hop Mirror Pond. Deschutes Brewmaster Larry Sidor had been discussing with Pacific Northwest hop growers their theory that Cascade had changed since it was first created back in 1972. So they revived the original rootstock developed at Oregon State University and grew 4 acres of it at Goshie Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. There they started with a ‘pure’ field and grew them up for 2 years. The result is a very bright,
clean and intense Cascade aroma in a beer that has enough bitterness to satisfy any hophead.

Summit Dinner at Jax Cafe

By on October 19, 2011in beer dinners, beer events

Enjoy a six course Summit beer dinner at Jax Cafe, including the new Unchained #8.

6pm – Arrival & Hors d’oeuvres
– Rattlesnake Cakes
– Bison & Chipotle Sausage on Cheese Biscuit
– Alligator Tenderloins
– Duck Confit on Pumpernickel Crisp w/ Grenadine Onions
– Mini Buffalo Burgers
– Smoked Rainbow Trout on Pumpernickel w/ Cucumber & Onion Mustard Dill Sauce
– Pancetta Cheese Straws
– Devils on Horseback
– Assorted Canapes
– Cheese Tray
– Vegetable Tray

6:30pm – Dinner

First Course:
Smoked Pheasant and Wild Rice Soup, served with Summit Pilsener

Second Course:
Smoked Salmon Ceasar with Asiago Pepper Chip, served with Summit Extra Pale Ale

Third Course:
Stuffed Quail with Cranberry and Walnuts, served with Summit Horizon Red Ale

Fourth Course:
Braised Venison adn Carged Buffalo Strip Loin, Buttermilk and Chive Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables, served with Summit Unchained Series 08: Black Ale

Fifth Course:
Jax White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Summit Oatmeal Stout Caramel Sauce, served with Summit Winter Ale

Tickets: $80/person, with a $20 deposit required at the time of reservation
Call 612-789-7297