This may be a little late for some folks (and others of you are probably still planning to run to the grocery store for flowers and/or chocolate after work), but Barley John’s has a cool Valentine’s Day dinner offering this evening, so if your significant other digs good beer and equally tasty food, check it out. At $80/plate, it’s not cheap, but Barley John’s food and beer are outstanding, and this will be no exception.

First: Lox and Crimini Duxelle roulade w/ Rose Honey garnish -or- Egplant and Black Bean Cakes w/ Miso Chili Sauce. Champagne by Jean-Noel Hatan Brut or Little Barley Bitter

Second: Chilled Leeks, Green Olives, Capers and Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette -or- Roasted Potato and Carrot Salad w/ Basil Citrus Dressing -or-Yellow and Green Bean salad w/ Prosciutto, Roasted Pine Nuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Fume Blanc or Sauvignon BLanc or Tripel Karmeliet

Main: Vegetable Selection -or- Grilled Ostrich w/ Sundried Cherry and Orange Sauce on handmade Basil pasta and sauteed Fenel -or- Pan seared Ahi Tuna, Scallops and Blue Prawns on Pappadalle w/ Rosemary Chevre sauce -or- Breast of Duck w/ Honey Ginger and Lavender with a Wild Rice Pilaf. Clera Pino Noir Central Coast 02-03 vingate or Wild Brunette.

Maple Pecan Cake served with a sherry or Winter Ale -or- Chocolate Deserte selection with Sherry Cline Big Break Zin or Old 8 Porter.

Great. Now I’m hungry!

Yup. Bigfoot sighted in Minnetonka. Go get it.

Other recent arrivals include, St. Bernardus abt 12, Bards Tale (Gluten free), The Czar Imperial Stout and Corsendonk.

No news on other locations… I’m just on Minnetonka’s beer list, but would always welcome info from other locations or other liquor stores.

Cheers!

Rock Bottom has what I think may be an oxymoron on tap, “Angry Hippie.”

This medium bodied beer is a cross between a British Style ESB and an American Style IPA. Made with British malts and a British yeast strain, it is hopped intensely with citrus American Hops for a crisp and clean finish.

Also, keep your eyes open for their Fire Chief Ale on March 23rd at 6pm.

You know the drill… another Wednesday, another new beer at Minneapolis Town Hall. $1 pints from 5-6. Tonight TH’s Broken Paddle ESB is back just in time for those of you who got worried when last Wednesday rolled around and TH didn’t announce a beer release.

Here’s a great opportunity to have a good breakfast and get a ride to and from Schell’s Bockfest on February 25th. Thanks to Jeff for reminding me to post this:

This year, the Saint Paul Jaycees have teamed together with Mark Van Wie (of The Happy Gnome and The Muddy Pig) to organize a bus trip to Bockfest at Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm. For the low price of $40 per person, you will receive admission into the festival on Schell’s grounds, breakfast at The Happy Gnome, and motorcoach transportation to and from the event! This is a great deal — you don’t need to worry about driving all that distance after drinking all day, or trying to arrange for a hotel in New Ulm. And, there will be movies shown on the bus, along with opportunities to win prizes. Plus, you get to enjoy the Bock beer with the opportunity to have your beer carmelized, tour the brewery, and “hunt” for the bock on the brewery’s grounds. The event is on Saturday, February 25, 2006. The bus will leave The Happy Gnome promptly at 9:30am. You may leave vehicles in the parking lot during the day. An estimated return time is 6:30pm. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance, no later than FEBRUARY 10. (That’s this upcoming Friday!!!) This can be done at either The Happy Gnome (498 Selby Street in St. Paul) or The Muddy Pig, or by contacting Dawn Michel of the Saint Paul Jaycees at dmmichel626@hotmail.com or 763-458-3694. We’d love to see a number of the home brewers join us! Angel Scott, on behalf of the Saint Paul Jaycees