News & Updates

Summit Unchained #16 Herkulean Woods

By on August 7, 2014in breweries

herkuleanLook for Summit’s 16th Unchained Beer, Herkulean Woods sometime near the end of the month. This is brewer Christian Dixon’s first effort in the series and damn, it sounds interesting. There’s a video with details below, but essentially he started with a California Common, tweaked the hops a bit, added maple syrup and spruce tips to make what I can only guess will be a beer you’ll want to try. On the video, Dixon says that they plan to package around August 19th, so it’s fair to assume that you’ll see more details about availability and release events after that point.

Check it out. Incidentally, I met Christian a few years ago outside of the beer world and thought he was good people, so I’m glad to see he and his awesome sideburns are at the helm of this beer.

Specs:

Profile: Big malt backbone with a resinous, spicy hop aroma
Color: Amber
Malt: Harrington, Lacey, Caramel
Hops: Herkules, Northern Brewer, Exp. 05256 [Description form Yakima Valley Hops: Black currant, dark fruit, strong herbal notes, pine tree, mint, pungent, light grapefruit rind, “Simcoe-like,” “Summit-like,” citrus, tangerine.]
Kettle additions: Maple syrup and spruce tips
OG: 18º Plato
IBU: 65
ABV: 8.2%
Yeast: California Common Lager

Castle Danger Taproom Grand Opening August 15

By on July 30, 2014in breweries

In a time when it seems like breweries are opening left and right, let us not forget that existing breweries are expanding at a great clip. A year ago, we told you about Castle Danger’s plans to step away from their tiny brewery located on the family resort property to build a new brewery and taproom in Two Harbors. We’re happy to announce that said location is opening in a couple of weeks!

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On Friday, August 15th from 3-11pm, you’ll be able to check out the new taproom. Expect lots of beer, food, games, live music, tours and more. Can’t make it Friday? They’ll be open from noon – 11pm on Saturday, August 16th.

 

The new brewery is located at 17 – 7th Street in Two Harbors, MN.

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Darkness 2014 Artwork from Erica Williams

By on July 29, 2014in breweries
Darkness 2014 - Erica Williams

Here’s this year’s artwork for the beer that makes collector nerds sweat and eBay fiend salivate… we’re talking about this year’s artwork for Surly Darkness. This year Erica Williams takes the reigns with a harpy keeping watch over Surly Brewing Co.’s coveted Russian Imperial Stout, Darkness. (non-cropped version here)

Darkness 2014 - Erica Williams

What do you think? Like it? Dislike it? Love it?

Surly Darkness Day 2014 is slated for October 25th at the brewery in Brooklyn Center.

From the label:

The legendary Harpy tortured unwary travelers by stealing their precious food and drink. This year’s cruel creature defends her cauldron of Darkness with razor claws and a dead stare of malevolence. Don’t mess with her Darkness.

She’s hoarding this massively opaque barrel aged Stout screaming with notes of chocolate, coffee, dried tart cherries, vanilla, rye whisky and raisins. The thick body of this Russian Imperial Stout finishes sweet, with a piney resinous hop character.

Dare if you will to open the bottle and steal from the imagination of our 2014 Darkness artist, Erica Williams.

Endion Station Public House Opens Friday

By on July 23, 2014in brewpubs

building-todayIf you should find yourself in Duluth on Friday at around 3pm, do yourself a favor and check out the latest project from our friends from Fitger’s Brewhouse, Endion Station Public House in Canal Park. This will be the first chance for the general public to check the place out. As we’ve mentioned before, Endion Station Public House will feature Duluth-Packed pulled meat sandwiches and kebabs and it will be the first Duluth cider house with multiple cider taps and a few signature Brewhouse beers as well as craft soda.

For their kick-off, a couple of my favorite morning radio folks will be broadcasting live – Steve Seel and Jill Riley from 89.3 The Current will be broadcasting from the patio.

The building (its name means my, your or his home in Ojibwe) was built as a train station in 1899 and moved to the Lakewalk in the 80s. Tony Dierckins, the publisher of local history site Zenith City Online, says the station is unique.

“We used to have dozens of railroad depots all over town,” Dierckins says. “It’s one of only two that are left.”

Check it out!

Back in October of 2012, we reported that the parent company of Fitger’s Brewhouse had won a bid to purchas the historic Endion Station train depot in Canal Park. Today we’re excited to share that the Endion Station Public House will open in July!

Endion Station Public House will feature Duluth-Packed pulled meat sandwiches and kebabs. Endion Station will be the first Duluth cider house with multiple cider tap lines as well as a few signature Fitger’s Brewhouse beers and a full bar.

The building (its name means my, your or his home in Ojibwe) was built as a train station in 1899 and moved to the Lakewalk in the 80s. Tony Dierckins, the publisher of local history site Zenith City Online, says the station is unique.

“We used to have dozens of railroad depots all over town,” Dierckins says. “It’s one of only two that are left.”

Like Tycoons Alehouse and the Fitger’s building, the Endion Station is built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It’s made of Kettle River sandstone and even though it was a humble passenger depot, it was carefully designed to look its best.

I for one, can’t wait to check it out. Congrats gang!

– See more at: https://andersoncreativemn.com/beer/2014/06/24/endion-station-public-house-to-open-in-july/#sthash.EalMob4S.dpuf

Finnegans Extra Stout

By on July 22, 2014in breweries

image002 image001Cool news from the gang at Finnegans – this fall they’ll be rolling out a limited release Extra stout, Dead Irish Poet, in October. I love the name! This beer is designed for the cold months and will feature dark chocolate and stone fruit notes not unlike stouts found in the southern-most region of Ireland. Weighing in at 7% abv, this should warm the soul on those cool fall/winter days.

Finnegans will also be offering up a “Saintly Sampler” 12 pack featuring 6 Dead Irish Poet Extra Stouts,  3 Irish Amber Ales and 3 Blonde Ales.  Even cooler? distributors match Finnegans donations, doubling our giving during their November & December Drink Like You Care Campaign!

To make this all happen, Finnegans will be running a Kickstarter campaign starting August 1st. Their goal is to raise $30,000. Starting August 1st, you can throw down some cash for a good cause right here:  https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/FINNEGANS

Best local beer Kickstarter yet? I think so.