News & Updates

Modist Brewing Looks to Push Boundaries in the North Loop

By on April 13, 2016in beer education, breweries, cooking & food, education, general beer, grand opening, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer

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It took a while, but Modist is looking to change the way we think about beer. First of all, founders Eric Paredes, Kale Anderson, Dan Wellendorf, John Donnelly, and Keigan Knee are all in on some state-of-the-art equipment that gives them efficiencies that other breweries just can’t achieve. “We’ve been able to reach 90 – 98% efficiency with our beers” says Paredes.

This is in reference to the fact that they “pulverize” their grain into a powder and filter it out afterwards rather than having to clean out the mash with a shovel. Essentially they run it through an expensive piece of filtering equipment which produces a cake of the unusable material.

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With the beer (reasonably priced at $3 for a tulip, and $5 for a 20 oz. pour) they hope to change the way we view beer. Paredes went on and on about how he wants people to see beer pair with food the same way that wine does. They aren’t big on making beers to fit into specific styles. Out of the gate they are pouring three beers, pHresh, TOATS, and Calibration Ale which are all very clean.

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PHresh is your sessionable patio beer. It’s described as “a refreshing tart beer” which it certainly will be. The initial batch didn’t quite reach the pH balance they were looking for so it’s not very tart out of the gate, but I’m told the next batch will be. “It’s super drinkable. A gateway sour beer” according to head brewer Keigan Knee.

Toats is my favorite of their initial offerings. People tend to think of robust and roasty Stouts, and a velvety mouthfeel with oat based beers. This one is clean, sessionable, and damn tasty with a citrus kick in the nose. A perfect example that the color your beer does not determine the bitterness, nor the alcohol content of your beverage.

Calibration is the first beer that they brewed on their new equipment. Years of homebrew experimentation inspired this one. This tasty sipper clocks in as their highest ABV offering yet at 5.9%. Once again, this is very drinkable and the Pilsner malt comes through nicely lending it a touch of sweetness.

The wait is over and Modist definitely lives up to the hype. With those prices, Twins fans are going to be very happy.

Grand Opening

Friday, April 15th 3:00 PM

Modist Brewing

505 N 3rd Street

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Cheers!

Historic Yoerg Brewing to Make a Comeback

By on April 6, 2016in breweries, history, Yoerg

Yoerg Logo 2If you know a bit about Minnesota’s beer history, no doubt you’re familiar with Minnesota’s first brewery, The Yoerg Brewing Company. Yoerg was founded in 1848 on the bluffs of what is now Ohio Street in St. Paul. As is the case with many breweries of that time, prohibition dealt a crushing blow to the brewery. Though Yoerg survived prohibition by producing a variety of other products, the brewery ultimately succumbed to post-WWII competition and closed in 1952. A fire destroyed the brewery several years later. All that remains of the brewery are highly sought-after pieces of breweriana.

…but all is not lost. This week we learned that the brand is being resurrected with a new brewery and tasting room. They’re currently in the process of finalizing a location and plan to use the original Yoerg artwork on all packaging and marketing materials.
We’re told that the lineup will consist of two year-round beers and two seasonal beers.

Yoerg’s Beer: a classic Bavarian Dampfbier.

Yoerg’s Bock Beer: A dark black bock with “a toasty malt profile and an assertive hop presence.”

Yoerg’s Picnic Beer: “A thirst quenching Pilsner with a rich, creamy mouthfeel and a wonderful dance of hops.”

Yoerg’s Strong Beer: A rich Doppelbock brewed “only while the weather is shitty.”

WEBSITE: www.yoergbeer.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Yoergbeer/

LTD and MN Beer Activists Team up with Adam Turman on Sunday Sales Beer

By on April 6, 2016in beer events, beer laws, general beer, misc. mn beer, MN, mnbeer.com, new beer, tap rooms

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The fine folks at MN Beer Activists spent a rainy Tuesday over at LTD Brewing where they helped brew a beer they are calling Sunday Sales Pale Ale. Part of the proceeds will go to SundaySalesMN.org which is run by consumer activists.

The estimated release date is on Sunday, May 1st from 1 pm until 5 pm at LTD which is located in Hopkins. Adam Turman is the man behind the label and has long been an advocate for changing this law.

If you’d like to join the cause, sign the petition over at their website.

LTD Brewing
8 8th Ave. N.
Hopkins, MN 55343

Cheers!

Summit’s Latest Unchained Beer Will be Available in Squans™

By on April 1, 2016in breweries

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Today we gleaned some fun information regarding the latest beer in Summit’s Unchained series, Dark Infusion. The beer will be canned in a new shareable and shelf-friendly 1 gallon rectangular can, the Summit Squan™. In addition to the gallon size offering, Summit will also offer this beer in a more modest 16 oz. can.

Squans™ are lighter than comparable glass containers, stack nicely when palletized and don’t roll around in the trunk of your car during transport. Summit has been rather tight-lipped about the new packaging, though Chap Wilton tells us that Summit and their Squan™ manufacturer are already in talks with other breweries.

Squans™ of other flagship Summit beers are expected to roll out by June first, just in time for picnics, summer outings and other outdoor fun. Note that due to Minnesota law, Squans™ will only be available at retail outlets and not at the brewery.

Watch this space for more details!

MN Beer Notebook: Early April 2016

By on March 30, 2016in general beer

Xtra Citra

Surly just released Xtra-Citra Pale Ale into the market in 4 packs of 16 oz. cans. The beer itself is bright and beautiful with big citrus notes and a very crisp, clean finish to go along with a very low ABV of 4.5%. Perfect for all that grilling you’ll be doing when the weather cooperates. The best part though may be that you can find this for $6.99 a four pack which is a very approachable price point.

Firkin Fest is happening at The Happy Gnome this weekend. This is always a really fun event and it takes place from noon until 4 PM on Saturday, April 2nd with tickets going for $60. Expect some fun brews that you can only find at this event. Grab your tickets here.

Modist Brewing is set to open in mid-April in the North Loop. Stay tuned to the blog for a sneak peek most likely happening next week. I have high expectations for them given their pedigree and passion for making beer.

I’m hearing rumors of the return of Sticker Fight at Steel Toe Brewing. This tropical hop bomb of a Double IPA is one of my favorite seasonal releases and it usually sells out pretty quickly. Stay tuned for more details….

Indeed Brewing is collaborating with New Belgium on a couple of beers they are calling Come Together Honey Wheat Wine, and Strawberry Fields Sour. Come Together will hit shelves first (this was brewed in Fort Collins recently) in very limited quantities (expect an April release) and the sour will be brewed at the end of April here in Minneapolis. I will be there on the brew day and will be sure to post some photos and such.

That’s it for now.

Cheers!