My brother is doing some work training in MSP for the next few weeks and is staying near the airport. Are there any good bottle shops in that area? I'm hoping to have him mule back some Surly, etc. On a related note, are there any interesting Minnesota/Midwest locals (other than Surly) that I should have him be on the look out for? Many thanks from North Carolina.
Depends on where near MSP he's staying, but South Lyndale Liquors is pretty close by. Good shop with, IIRC, a decent singles selection. Edit: Falls Liquor is also good, and close by in a slightly different direction. Surly, of course. Indeed is making some really good beers, as is Steel Toe. And I'll second Olvalde.
Falls Liquor at 46th and Hiawatha or Elevated Beer Wine and Spirits at 42nd and Hiawatha aren't too far away from the Airport (about a 15 minute drive) - you can do mixed six at Elevated including many locals and they have a decent 750ml selection. Richfield liquors at 66th St and Highway 77 is right across from Airport - they carry surly, their other craft selection is a bit hit or miss (and tends to be more nationals, tho I haven't been there in a while). Surly Abrasive may be around or not (it tends to go quick) and is worth picking up. Surly's around almost everywhere these days it seems but they do have a locator on their site. As far as beers go, if he spots any St. Whatshername or Maroon and Bold from Pour Decisions still on the shelves, that's something you might enjoy that's rather unique to the area.
This has been rehashed many a time, but... Surly Abrasive, coffee bender, furious and overrated Steel toe size 7 indeed day tripper fulton worthy adversary ...to name a few. Others chime in.
Don't forget to let him know that bottle shops (and "liquor-in-grocery") are a no-go on a Sunday in Minnesota, but that he can always hustle over the border to Hudson for some tasty brews that we don't get while he's at it.
