Minnesota "NE style" IPA's

Just a quick follow-up to our Forager discussion: tried Shock Hops last night, and it is basically just a fruit-infused regular DIPA. Tasted almost too much like soda than a beer at times. Definitely not a NE IPA, so as of right now there is nothing truly NE on tap if you come through.

I do have to mention that Pudding Goggles was amazing. Classified as an imperial porter but reminded me of a decently thick imperial stout. Their description was spot-on: like "drinking the milk out of a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch, mixed with cocoa pebbles". I just had to give it some love.

But yeah, if anyone comes through at all: drop me a message!

 

Barrel Theory posted on Facebook that their brewery application has been approved.

 

Forager does do growlers, i believe (the menu has growler prices). But they are pretty expensive and I don't think they do most of the IPA in growlers. Also most of the IPAs are 14$ in crowlers. Good beer but prepare your wallet.

I'm hoping they expand. From what I know they have a very small setup. That's why they seem to rotate so fast and are so expensive.

 

Instead of upgrading their current facility, they should just add a second location in the Twin Cities with a bigger system.

 

Jeez, can't you city folk let us small towners have anything??? I may live in the boonies, but it is a nice choice to have between the hour drive to Decorah and the 45 minute drive to Forager.

 

You plebeians don't deserve Forager.

 

Living in God's Country eh?!?

 

Brother nachos, that's quite a rapid pace for a horse drawn buggy.

See you at the barn raising.

 

Praise Amish jeebus, my horses be swift!

 

Updating anyone coming through the southern part of the state this weekend... Forager just put on a brand new "east coast style IPA featuring mosaic and azacca hops". It is called Boom Hops. Cheers!

 

This new NE IPA by Black Stack in Saint Paul looks on point . Can't wait to try this when they open in the next month.

 

One of the few breweries i'm looking forward to now. With this and Barrel Theory, I think we'll finally see some quality NE IPA in the Metro!

 

When I invited myself in I tried almost all of the 22 batches and you are correct they are on point with taste, look and most importantly smell. They have some delicious stuff, I hear Grumpy's NE will be carrying some of the New England IPA's from Blackstack.

 

Does Forager do crowlers or growlers?

 

They do both on select beers.

 

But they do not have growlers, you'll have to bring your own. Some other places that do this (example: Wild Mind) don't have caps either so it might be wise to call and find out if you need that as well.

 

Not a New England style IPA, but Simcoe SMASH from THB is damn good.
Full disclosure - I work there.

 

Great Waters has a NE IPA, and it is not good.... Tastes like caramel, with almost no hop characteristics.