Falling Beer Quality as MN gains more Breweries

I reread the "Sisyphus, Thoughts" thread and there were only a few negative comments on page 1 and none of them were scathing. Then it was 5 pages on how great Sisyphus has become. I definitely would not be afraid to visit that thread.

 

I wasn't overly impressed with Sisyphus when they first opened, now I recommend them to people. The Brewfarm is an amazing experience (The farm is cash only btw, and is not near an ATM).

 

This. Some places have rough starts or shaky quality early on, but some are abhorrent. I think sisyphus is cranking out some damn tasty beer. I think of them like I think of fair state. Very, very strong product. Some batch variation (that can be expected at that size), but not enough to keep me from coming back.

 

I agree with the sentiment of the post by "oneeightcuban". Visiting a brewery at their opening is generally a mistake if you're trying to decide whether it is a brewery that you will be frequenting. Unless they have a very experienced head brewer or have been experimenting for a while and tossing big batches when they didn't turn out right.

I previously hadn't thought about a new brewery having to waste a batch of beer (when most people that would be drinking it wouldn't notice that it tasted "off") when they are struggling and basically getting by batch to batch and taking out more loans to do so. Interesting to get that perspective.

 

The only breweries I've been really impressed with on the first visit are ones that had head brewers with previous commercial experience. Pulpit Rock in Decorah is a good example.

 

Great post, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences! I've always also thought along the same lines of quality of new breweries. If you're going to a brewery around there opening, go with an open mind and make a plan to return. Not everyone hits the ground running, in stride. Another point also is, not everyone is aiming to be the next Surly. If you live in the metro area you're spoiled. Some communities are lucky to have even one craft brewery open, and those breweries are crafting more for the locals (or tourist, not beers nerds specifically) and not the Minneapolis beer nerd. I think of the Czech Republic as a frame of reference, where it seems every village, neighborhood, city has they're own brewery. I would love to see that, even if it meant Beersville vs Beersburg had similar beers or one was better than the other. I want to live in a country where everyone can head down the street or to Main Street and grab a fresh brewed beer in the comfort of their own community.

 

I was definitely one of those who wasn't a fan of them when they started. Been there a few additional times and enjoy the beers and seems like all the notes from other people they have really hit their stride which is great.

 

Some posters have requested the names of breweries that are producing poor beers with off flavors. Michael Agnew did name Voyageur Brewing Company in his 12/17 blog post.

http://www.aperfectpint.net/blog.php/

 

I think its ok to name names only if you have already told the business/brewer/owner what you think.Then name em if you feel its what you need to do.

 

I think the brewing scene in Minnesota is an interesting one. We are still very young when compared to many other states that have more than just one "surly"-esq type brewery. In fact I was just in illinois/Chicago area on a bit of a "beer-cation" and I had some really amazing hoppy and sour beers there. Of course we went to three floyds (in Munster), Revolution, half-acre, penrose, and drank pipeworks by the can load, but all I could think about is how the MN beer scene couldn't hold a candle to some of the quality and unique beers that a lot of these breweries are churning out. Arriving home I definitely was jealous of that scene. With that said, I think until we have a brewery that people are literally driving state wide for (a la FFF, hill farmstead, trillium, ect), we have a long ways to go and grow. Which is definitely not a bad thing. Also I'm kinda of sick of all the new breweries popping up in MN and simply churning out every style under the sun. I love the fact that lake and legends opened up and said we are Belgian focused. I'd rather go to a brewery that is churning out great beer on a select few styles then a brewery churning out a random assortment of mediocre styles. Having a differentiating brand focus is sustainable, 10 dangerous man type breweries in a 2 mile radius all doing the same thing is not.

Again this is just all my opinion.

 

Whoa. Here's a particularly brutal review of Nutmeg.
http://heavytable.com/cocktails-at-fika-nutmeg-brewhouse-opens-lawless-gin/

 

Ouch. I was really looking forward to something like this in the south metro. I'm not too confident they are going to improve too quickly with a brewer that has no previous professional experience.

 

I wouldn't say that review is brutal. Just reads like an honest review of a place that isn't any good.

 

Brutal...or spot on? Can't say I disagree with anything written here. It does give some insight into the background of how the place came together though and explains why the food is actually pretty good (unlike their beers). This might be the first brewery where I'd recommend it as a place to eat but avoid the beer itself.

 

Saw this on Facebook

 

For Nutmeg, you should go view the Yelp page for them, specifically the "Reviews Which are Not Recommended". A Kind of hilarious pattern quickly became obvious in the reviews which were rejected.

 

I see that people turned sour towards them quickly.

 

This doesn't surprise me, I bought a six pack of their IPA, and was extremely underwhelmed. IMO they have no business canning yet. Good for Faribault for having a brewery, but shame on a group of home Brewers thinking their beer would be ready for distribution right out of the gate.

 

Wait a minute is nutmeg making extract beers? I was flipping through Yelp pics and saw what appeared to be maybe only a hot liquor tank and a single boil kettle. Where's the mash tun? Also saw what appeared to be a giant bag of DME? I'm hoping I'm completely wrong but a Yelp review mentioned a beer tasting like extract. I'm just curious.


http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tj6e...lect=x9Wh2GDjiav04Htv_LHocQ&utm_source=ishare