Breweries opening in Minnesota 2013/2014

Thanks for the heads up on Lynn Lake. That's close to me too so hopefully it's good.

 

"Old-New brewery" update: Kinney Creek open Sundays.

(Hattip: Ben B.)

 

Two things:

1) Tim Roets is still working on the Jordan Brewery, but is currently spending harvest time making ciders and meads for Minnesota Harvest Orchard in Jordan.

2) I saw some folks mention Lazy Loon on this thread. I interviewed the brewer/owner for my blog and you can read more info here if you like: http://jackofallbrews.blogspot.com/2014/10/lazy-loon-brewing-victoria-mn.html


I love this thread by the way, keep it up!

--Eric

 

I briefly stopped by Northgate's grand opening today. Nice cozy room. I had a brown ale - didn't blow me away, but it wasn't bad. Since I got there too late to get a seat at the bar (or anywhere else) and I'd stopped in alone on a whim I left as soon as I finished my beer. It's close enough to me and the beer was good enough that I'll be back.

 

Having some Pumpion right now. Not sure what to think but it's at least good enough that I'll open the bottle of Parapet I bought to go with it. :-)

 

I can't take credit for noticing this. Brian, the owner of Northgate Brewing, pointed this out. The Twin Cities has what I'm starting to refer to as "The Magical Twin Cities Brewery Bus" (AKA Route 30).

The route, roughly, starts in North Minneapolis, heads down Broadway through NE and then cuts over to E Hennepin, up 280 and loops around into St Paul's Midway neighborhood to University and Raymond.

That puts it within half a mile (usually less) of Boom Island, Dangerous Man, Indeed, 612, Bauhaus, Sociable Cider Werks, Northgate, Insight (Opens Nov), Urban Growler, and Bang Brewing. It passes pretty close to the Surly "Destination Brewery" as well, but there isn't a stop near there (since the bus is on Highway 280 at that point).

The only problem is the route was specifically designed to get people to and from work. It only runs Mon-Fri.

-Séamus

 

Went Sat night, it was pretty slow. Had an ESB, Irish Red, and SMASH pale ale. The beer was good and the taproom is nice. I'll go back.

 

Their pumpion is one of the rare pumpkin beers I really enjoy. I'd put it up against most anything else. I thought heir ESB was excellent as well. I'll be back as well, hanging by the foosball table....

A note on growlers -- they will not fill other brewery's growlers BUT they will take any growler and give you their growler in return. As someone with extras taking up space in my apartment, I am not going to protest this compromise!

 

Paging @ZAP!

 

Great compromise. I'll support places like this.

 

Waconia Brewing has announced official opening at 2pm October 22nd. I'll be there at the soft opening tomorrow and will, of course, have a brief review here.

 

A search came up with nothing so...

Drum roll please!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fishbone-Brewing/269226556552593
http://discussions.probrewer.com/sh...ed-Brewmaster-wanted-for-Twin-Cities-Start-up

Have at!

 

I loved the Fishbone cameo in "Back to the Beach."

(Walks uncomfortably out of the room, whistles quietly... )

 

Love the Fishbone name.

 

If you don't like Fishbone*, you don't like rock and roll.

*THE definitive "great live, records not as much" band.

Thus ends my Chaz type post to Chaz.

 

This can't be a @Chaz post...there were no links...

 

Well?

I stopped in today. I think the beer is definitely on the right track. The IPA is pretty good. It reminded me a bit of Mad Hatter with its strong floral notes. The amber and kolsh were also respectable. They dialed in the fermentation right off the bat as they all were very clean. Really nice space they built. They are going to really draw people to fill that space up. I would say it is the largest taproom outside of Minneapolis. About 6x bigger than Steel Toe's and 3x Excelsior's. I made a comment to one of the owners that they had the best glassware than any other taproom I have been to. Not a shaker "pint" glass to be found. All nonics (proper 16oz ones), with weizen, pilsner, tulips, and snifters, most unbranded. Did not get a chance to ask about growler fill policies but it looks like they fill straight from the tap.

 

I agree with pretty much everything. The IPA is pretty good. I like the Amber as well. I didn't like the Kolsch but I generally don't like Kolsch anyways. The wheat will be ready for official opening and a belgian pale will also be ready shortly. I talked to head brewer Tom who said an oatmeal stout is on the brew calendar in the next couple weeks. They claim to have all 12 taps up and running at some point.

The space is fantastic. It's big and very well done. Only a single TV if you're a sports nut. Nice fireplace in the corner. Board games if you're into that. I gave them the board games so please play them...lol

Everyone I've talked to has liked the beer. This ranges from beer geeks to general beer drinkers.

Kudos to Bob and Kay, Pete and Dee for putting it together. They've done well.

 

Footnotes > links

 

Oh, you roustabout!

P.S. Word on the street is there's a new beer company from a familiar face plus a destination brewery which is for sale!