News & Updates

Winter Solstice and Other Unworldly Happenings

By on December 21, 2010in bars/restaurants, beer events, beer stores, brewpubs, free beer

Man, there’s a lot going on today in the world of beer here in Minnesota. Releases, tastings and of course, celebration of the Winter Solstice, as Earth begins heading back towards the sun. I need a beer!

Who’s celebrating the Solstice? Haute Dish Fades to Black, Brasa enters the Darkest Day of the Year, and we just learned that the Blue Door Pub taps their keg of Darkness at 11 a.m. today.

How about releases? Surly gets things going at Pyscho Suzi’s with the Abrasive Release, Town Hall celebrates Festivus for the rest of us, and Rock Bottom kicks off the the Week Before Christmas.

Holiday Shopping? Hit the the Ale Jail, and while you’re at it, sample some Cucapah.

There’s lots of other stuff happening in the next couple weeks, so be sure to check out our events calendar too.

Cheers from mnbeer.com!

Haute Dish Fade to Black

By on December 18, 2010in bars/restaurants, beer events

The tap lines at Haute Dish will fade to black to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Tapped will be Great Divide Yeti, Avery Czar, Surly Darkness, Great Lakes Blackout Stout, Bell’s Expedition Stout and Deschutes The Abyss and maybe a few more for good measure. Flights of three will be available.

Brasa Darkest Day of the Year

By on December 18, 2010in bars/restaurants, beer dinners, beer events

Brasa St. Paul brings you their Winter Solstice event.

Cultures from all around the globe celebrate our Earth’s maximum axial tilt in late December in their own unique ways — Brasa wants to start our own tradition. We will be celebrating the Winter Solstice with a party at Brasa St. Paul on December 21st, 2010.

Cold beer, hot food, and live music from The Midnight Mo Experience and Big Trouble! to keep you warm on winter’s longest night. We will be tapping several limited release brews and Brasa’s kitchen has some awesome seasonal specialties in mind.

With your $15 admission you will get SIX (food/beer) tickets to spend however you wish. One ticket will be worth one 5 oz sample of any beer or a small plate of food.

Food
Masa Cake with Roasted Squash and Mole
Chopped Brisket Slider with Pickles and Onion
Smoked Crispy Chicken Wings with Preserved Citrus and Chili Sauce
Chocolate Torte Squares with Pecan Praline

Beer
Surly Darkness
Bell’s Christmas Ale
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Ale
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
Firkin of Summit Oatmeal Stout

Whatever the solstice means to you, come celebrate with us! Sponsored in Part by the Beer Dabbler.

Tickets on Sale Now @ http://darkestdayoftheyear.eventbrite.com/

The Week Before Christmas at Rock Bottom

By on December 16, 2010in beer dinners, beer events, brewpubs

The week leading up to Christmas is going to be a good one at Rock Bottom. It starts off Tuesday, which is also the Winter Solstice. Be there at the exact time of the Winter Solstice and get an exclusive free taste of their latest creation.

On Wednesday they’re offering a five course holiday brewer’s dinner for $50/person (includes tax and gratuity). Call 612-332-2739 to reserve your seat.

They wrap up the festivities on Thursday with a tapping of Belgian Tripel, described as a Golden Belgian Style Ale with hints of pear and banana dominating the nose while a slight spiciness dominates the finish. Beware though, it may go down smooth and warm your belly but at 8.7% ABV it might do other things to you as well. Be on hand at 6:00 to receive a free glass.

Save the Nook Saturday at Groveland Tap

By on December 16, 2010in bars/restaurants, beer events, breweries

By now, you’ve probably heard that The Nook in St. Paul had a devastating fire on December 14th. The crew from Groveland Tap & Summit have offered to lend a hand to Nook employees to help them through the holidays. On Saturday, Dec. 18th from open to close (11am-1am), for every pint of Summit purchased, $1.50 will be donated to a find to help Nook employees. “Have a pint & help your neighbor!”

$2.50 Summit Happy Hour (and Groveland Tap has NO shortage on Summit products on draft), $2.00 wings (1/2 #, $1.50 donated back to employee fund).