MN Brewing Boom Continues...

Interesting, thanks for posting this, first I've heard of it.

Although I have to admit, my reaction two years ago would have been "Wooohooo!" & now it's "Gee, I hope they don't suck." The MN Craft Bandwagon is getting crowded with mediocre brews. I hope Jack Pine rises above that.

 

There's another one up North that seems to have switched its focus from a brewpub to a beer bar/pub (I can't recall the name of this one offhand.) Either way, it's very promising to see such developments up in a part of the state that could use some variety.

ZAP, make sure and pay it a visit an' give us southerners the lowdown after it opens

 

Anyone try anything from Borealis Fermentory? They have some very intriguing sounding offerings.

 

No, up North like Two Harbors

 

Knife River, MN
http://borealisfermentery.com/

 

Borealis looks like a fucking cool operation. Check out the structure they built for their brewery. If I'm not mistaken, he was the guy who pushed for 750s to be allowed for off sale when Mn brewers were allowed to sell growlers a few years back.

 

He not only pushed for it, but he wrote the entire bill. Cool guy, got to talk to you for quite a while last summer. Going to be doing Belgian styles. Shared some good beers with him and got a feel for his palate, I'm looking forward to stopping in once it's complete.

 

They're open and distributing to several bars in Duluth and for sale at Warehouse Liquors.

 

Agree. Ive only had a few fest samples from Harriet, it was ok. Boom Island is outside my price range, only tried at a fest. Steel Toe is quite good, but bombers make me sad. Fulton is good, but i have never bought the bottled product. I tried Lucid Cammo, this i would consider mediocre at best. Leech Lake stuff is also ok, but again, bombers. I look forward to Indeed Pale Ale, although with 4lbs of hops per BBL, i hope a six pack isnt 14 bucks.

With Saga out at 8 bucks a six, they will see a lot of my local beer dollars this year.

 

agreed, I may have to make a trek up to Duluth to pick some up

 

You are being too generous here.

 

I was scared off by the $7.99/bomber price on it. Really glad I didn't grab one after hearing these posts.

 

I had a sample of it early on at Winterfest. I didnt finish it.

 

Ditto!

Fulton has impressed me. (War & Peace!)
Harriet hasn't disappointed me.
Boom Island, I tried but I don't remember. So not much impact.
Lucid, I tried, and didn't like.

But my overall favorite "newbie" has to be Olvalde. Damn that man is talented and creative.

 

Give Lucid another chance if you see Air on tap. A damned good beer, simple, tasty, well crafted, delightful. Camo was gross as balls, but Air was one of the better new beers I've had.

 

Yeah, Air is a really good blonde ale type thingy. I order it on draft frequently. Very refreshing. Speaking of refreshing, this Summit Summer Ale I'm drinking right now is perfect.

 

Anyone who likes a tasty treat, particularly a Belgian style ale, would really like Boom Island; they do a fantastic job. You can pick up 750 of Silvius Pale ale at South Lyndale for either $5.99 or $6.99, there was plenty yesterday. Highly recommend that and their Dubbel in a 750 (moreso out of a bottle than out of the Winterfest or Firkinfest kegs they had). Was able to taste the Dubbel side by side with a Westy 8 and it held its ground really well - comes out darker with slightly more depth - however you can't hide the goodness of the 8. The Dubbel is a little more pricey so ask for one for your b-day or fathers day. Or maybe your neighbors will treat you to one in next year's May day basket. What happened to May day baskets anyway? Maybe we draw names out of a hat (or using random number generator with BA members next year for May day baskets!?

 

I had a bottle of Silvius and Thoprock from them and both were extremely under-carbonated. Besides that, the Thoprock was decent, but nothing special and the Silvius was nothing to make me want it again.