Breweries Opening in the Minnesota 2016/2017

The Growler article late last year stated a custom Aeigir system from Oregon.

 

They've said a lot of their brewing equipment is unique and custom to them. I'm hella excited.

 

FWIW - I spoke with a couple of the Modist guys a few weeks ago and one of the things they spoke about was that they do not want to rush to open before the beer is ready. They were very cognizant of this issue and how it has affected other breweries first impressions and reputations. Hopefully they are able to follow through on that, but with that said, I can't wait to try these beers they're cooking up.

 

I was disappointed with the brewing flaws, but I was even more disappointed with how the staff handled it at the time. I returned my Berliner Weisse to the bar and told the bartender that it wasn't good (but failed to mention the off flavors). His response was "Yea, sour beer isn't for everyone." That was enough for me. Time to settle up and head somewhere else.

With Bad Weather putting out some really good brews, and Flat Earth having an awesome taproom, I don't really have any reason to visit any other St. Paul brewery. I guess at some point I'll give Wabasha and Sidhe a second chance but it may be the final chance they get from me.

 

re: Sidhe..

It always struck me as odd and actually quite risky that they would place gender politics and religion front & center in their public image and marketing. The Wiccan feminist niche of the craft beer market can't be a very large niche. You could argue that Surly has an occult image based on their beer names and labels, but you get the impression they don't take it very seriously. In contrast, Sidhe does seem to take it very seriously, with readings, story nights, etc. (And, please, this is a comment on business strategy, not religion or politics.)

 

I believe that it's because it's part of how they identify themselves and do so very strongly - so rather than opening up a Wiccan retail shop of some sort, they wanted to open a brewery - and because it's part of their identity, the brewery was going to reflect that. In similar ways, you get this with Hayes Public House with its heavy Irish branding.

I have no idea how much the Wiccan branding turns off some while (hopefully) drawing in a number of others who may have been looking for some place that speaks directly to them.

Sidhe was a fairly welcoming place when I had stopped by, so hopefully the beers get dialed in.

 

They don't shove anything down people's throats, which makes it much more appropriate to have such a strong identity. I did find there were a number of transgender patrons when I visited. I imagine there aren't too many businesses in the Twin Cities that are owned my opening transgender individuals, which I'm sure garners them quite a bit of support.

 

Any good buzz on any of the more recently opened places (last six months or so)? I'd like to try a few relatively new places and was wondering if anything out there has been really impressing early on?

 

Was Yoerg's website also made back in 1848.

 

Bad Weather is worth a shot if you're in St. Paul.

 

Has anyone tried out lakes and legends or Omni yet?

 

I haven't been to Omni yet, but I was at the Lakes and Legends when they opened. They had about 10 beers on tap for their grand opening, but most of them were severely rushed. Some of them were very good, while some were horrible (overpowering diacetyl, etc.). They may have released second batches of a lot of these beers already, which should be better. I anticipate good things from them in the coming months if they exhibit more patience.

 

Went to Omni brewing a couple months back, beers all tasted like (bad) homebrew and one was so completely astringent it was undrinkable, I left half the pint on the table. Not sure how they've improved, if at all, haven't been back and probably won't be for awhile since it's a bit of a drive from south mnpls.

I loved Able Seedhouse & Brewery decor, logo, and building so I was very excited to check them out. Managed to make it during opening weekend and was pleasantly surprised with most of the brews. I've been itching to go back there and see how they've come along since opening. I remember the wheat ale having a distinct musky butt aroma thing that was kinda off putting. I do remember really enjoying their IPA. However, in regards to that location, I could easily see them being the best of the group for walking distance (612 and Bauhaus).

Lake and Legends opened up near my buddies place so I've managed to make it there twice since they've opened. The taproom is pretty damn big but kinda awkwardly laid out. Like their going for this outdoor indoor type feel? I dunno how to explain it.. I thought all the brews (Belgian inspired) were pretty OK. Nothing particularity mind blowing but nothing completely flawed either. I felt they played it safe on some styles especially their saison and golden strong. My friend (cider drinker) absolutely loved the raspberry braggot. I thought it was pretty good too but it's very very sweet. Very interested in seeing where these guys go and definitely will be back since it's walking distance from my buddies place.

This weekend I was down in Rochester visiting a close friend and he mentioned grabbing lunch at Forager Brewing Company (brewpub) and of course I was totally on-board. I even brought my growler in-case they had anything worth bringing back home. I absolutely loved the taproom layout and decor. It also has a little coffee shop connected to it that they apparently own as well. I only managed to try 3 of the beers (stout, ipa, and pale ale), before having to leave for something else. They don't do flights which was kind of disappointing. All the brews were quite good, very soft on the palate, and lower carbed. I swore given the mouthfeel of all their beers that they were doing a co2/n2 blend of some sort.. The pale ale (Blaze a trail) looked like orange juice (not sure if they were going for that hot new east coast IPA look?) but it was pretty good, a bit thin unfortunately and not very juicy. They wouldn't fill my growler so I settled on a crowler of the IPA since they ran out of the pale ale (damn!). I'm not sure if I was just super hungry or if it was really just that good, but I got the fuego burger with fries, and honestly it was one of the best spicy cheese burgers I've ever had! It was perfectly cooked to medium and had a shit load of heat and flavor. I'd go there again just to get that burger and try that orange juice looking pale ale again.




I have family in Faribault so I managed to make it over to F-Town brewing (I HATE that name BTW). Tiny little garage taproom. Got a flight. All their beers were pretty MEH. Especially the IPA, which was harshly bitter and tasted like an amber ale. The brown ale was the best of the bunch but I wouldn't seek it out or care to try it again. I'll def go back to see where they've come but my hopes are not high.

 

Went to Lakes and Legends a month or two ago - not sure how close to opening that was. I thought their beer was fantastic and would love it if they were located in the SW metro and not where they are because my wife and I both agree that we'd go all the time with our kid if they were more convenient.

I don't have tasting notes, but we really dug most of their beer.

 

Any thoughts on the Delena breweries?

 

I thought Lupine had some really solid offerings, their coffee Porter was surprisingly excellent. Haven't tried the other brewery there.

 

Of the Delano breweries I would recommend Lupine and skip South Fork. They are a block apart so not much effort to hit them both in one stop. I just know you would hate South Fork though.

For other new breweries I highly recommend Birch's On The Lake in Long Lake. Not sure what they have on right now and it has been many weeks since I have been back, but all the beers were very well made. I did not care for the India Brown Ale, not because it was flawed, it just was not my thing.

 

I've been curious about birch's. Did you happen to try any of their food?

 

I thought Lupine had some good beers. Have not been to their new place yet.

Murder of Cranberries and their German Alt are both good IMO. And I thought their IPA was solid. I'm not really an IPA guy, so I might be way off on that....?

Have not been to South Fork yet.

 

Just looked at Birch's website and this looks like a great option. Brewer has some quality background experience and the beers listed all look creative and interesting to try. Going to try this soon and will report back. Thanks for the suggestion.