Trip to MN

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Jonc, Jul 5, 2018.

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  1. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Hey Zap, thanks for the update on Starry Eyed, I'm originally from LF, but have yet to visit the brewery. I will be in the area for a wedding in September, so I will make it a point to stop & try a few beers. Sounds like they have a lot of interesting things going on!

    I'm sure there are plenty of us old timers on this site that remember those school clothes shopping days! Mine was Penny's and Victor Clothing Company in Little Falls, good times for us "husky" kids!
     
    #21 barrybeerdog, Jul 9, 2018
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  2. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    It was in MNDOTs latest I-35W construction update email.
     
    #22 KarlHungus, Jul 9, 2018
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  3. hhughes2008

    hhughes2008 Devotee (306) Oct 25, 2016 Minnesota
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    For the biking route in Minneapolis, I'd def make the small detour off the Cedar Lake Trail to Utepils--one of the nicer taprooms in cities.
     
    #23 hhughes2008, Jul 9, 2018
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  4. SudsSavant

    SudsSavant Savant (1,038) Jan 9, 2007 Minnesota
    Trader

    He's not wrong, last item on the multitude of traffic impacts listed for this boondoggle:
    https://www.dot.state.mn.us/35w94/

    Just make sure you're on an off-road bike if you do this. They've named craters on the moon smaller then the potholes in that parking lot!
     
    #24 SudsSavant, Jul 9, 2018
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  5. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    I just looked and found an easy trail over there; my only problem now is time. Probably hop on the bikes around noon, ride until dark. I want to have fun, but unfortunately bicycling does require one to get on the bike, retain some type of balance and pedal. I'm going to narrow all my choices down to 3. Maybe 4 max. Couple beers at each place.
     
    #25 Jonc, Jul 9, 2018
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  6. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    THANKS! For all of the info. I have a Google map that I am placing all of your info on. For now, I don't need any more beer suggestions. I have plenty of places to go that will get me to beer thirty.

    A couple more questions. I've heard about this burger called the Lucy Jucy or some other spelling depending upon where you eat at. I'm leaning towards Matt's. Opinions?

    We need a place to park our van for the day, probably until about dark. Are we good to go around Cedar Lake, Bde Maka Ska or Lake of the Isles in one of the lots around the lake? I'll admit I'm a little picky, it's a cargo van which is tempting for thieves. They won't find much of value in it...empty craft beer bottles and cans mostly!

    Suggestions? Downtown would be OK. Also parking near Fulton Brewery would be great, complete our big loop and finish up at a nice place.

    Thanks, thanks again everyone.
     
    #26 Jonc, Jul 11, 2018
  7. Otis32

    Otis32 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2011 Minnesota

    I'd go Blue Door for one of their Jucy Lucy's. Not the "traditional" approach but a better burger IMO. Also usually some good taps to pair it with...
     
    #27 Otis32, Jul 11, 2018
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  8. eggsurplus

    eggsurplus Crusader (420) Nov 30, 2015 Minnesota
    Trader

    Flames lit.
     
    #28 eggsurplus, Jul 11, 2018
  9. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    Sounds good! Looks like they have one right along the trail (Lyn Lake).

    I had read that two places claim they invented it.
     
    #29 Jonc, Jul 11, 2018
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  10. HawkEye19

    HawkEye19 Crusader (413) Jun 15, 2006 Minnesota

    That's the claim. And there's an ongoing Holy War between fans of the two places on who makes a better Juicy Lucy.
     
    #30 HawkEye19, Jul 11, 2018
  11. dbhammel

    dbhammel Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2016 Minnesota

    Matt's and 5-8 Club are the supposed inventors of the Lucy, between which Matt's is far superior. In the same neighborhood Buster's on 28th is a great gastropub/beer bar and Northbound is an awesome smokehouse themed brewpub. Please don't be tempted by Fat Lorenzo's, that place sucks.

    For a more updated take on the style you can't go wrong with The Blue Door Pub. The Nook is also a great option.
     
    #31 dbhammel, Jul 11, 2018
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  12. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    Blue Door it is!
     
    #32 Jonc, Jul 11, 2018
  13. dbhammel

    dbhammel Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2016 Minnesota

    Get the tots!
     
    #33 dbhammel, Jul 11, 2018
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  14. GeneralBurden

    GeneralBurden Initiate (0) Oct 14, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Midtown Greenway update. The small section of the greenway will be closed beginning today July 17 and reopening at 5AM Friday July 20. Easy 5 block detour included in this link:

    https://www.dot.state.mn.us/35w94/pdf/detourmaps/detour-map-midtown-greenway-closure.pdf

    If you are looking for free parking you can park on the streets in the Cedar Lake area or to be closer to downtown you could park on West River drive by Pryes Brewing. If you don't mind paying for a day of parking that opens your options up to ramps and pay lots.

    You didn't mention when you will be in Minneapolis. Have fun!
     
    #34 GeneralBurden, Jul 17, 2018
  15. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    Wife and I will be up after that section of trail is closed from the 17-20. Detours no problem anyway.

    One of the places we had picked out to park was around Cedar Lake; it looks like they have a small parking lot by Cedar Point Beach on the West side. Couple other places was the "Garfield Parking Lot" near the Blue Door Pub on Lyndale. Probably play it by ear.

    Thanks,
    Jon
     
    #35 Jonc, Jul 17, 2018
  16. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    Wanted to check back in!

    Trip went as planned, very fun. Even did a little bit more than expected.

    From North to South we hit these places over a 10 day period:

    Ely: Boathouse (I really liked this place, maybe just my mood, but beer was great!)

    Two Harbors: Castle Danger

    Duluth: Fitger's, Hoops and Earth Rider and Thirsty Pagan across the bridge

    Moose Lake: Moose Lake Brewing (best view out the window from a brewery I have ever been to!)

    Minneapolis: Fulton, Modist, Sisyphus, Town Hall...Looked like game day in town (Friday 8/3)

    Des Moines: Confluence, Alluvial, El Bait Shop, Captain Roy's (I travel to Des moines often, I have been to all of the breweries except a couple)

    Got some great smoked trout at Russ Kendall's just North of Duluth. I'm wishing I had some right now! Ate at Fitger's, Boathouse, Blue Door, Thirsty Pagan (great pizza)

    Weather was great, the trail between Hinkley and Duluth was great. The bike trails I picked out in Minneapolis got us where we needed to go. Midtown Greenway a bit sketchy, but I knew that ahead of time. We were going to go loop around some lakes but ran out of time and looked like a storm was on the way.

    Took some Surly Furious home also, a favorite of mine.

    Thanks again for the help. I'm not going to say which beers I liked best but i had the most fun in Ely. I was in a real good mood that day. What's important to me is that I supported the craft beer community.
     
    #36 Jonc, Aug 7, 2018
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  17. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    It's ok to say which beers you liked, just don't say which beers/breweries you didn't like
     
    #37 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Aug 8, 2018
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  18. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    Not a bad beer in the bunch. None that i wouldn't like to have a second of, now that I'm hundreds of miles away. Might rather have some more of that smoked trout...it was that good! Got there when the place opened at 9:30 AM. Smoked trout and cheese curds for breakfast.
     
    #38 Jonc, Aug 8, 2018
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  19. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I hear ya, I like smoked trout, and fresh cheese curds just pull out of the vat are great.. They never taste the same if they have been refrigerated. I grew up as a kid with over 10 cheese factories/creameries with 10 miles of my house. Most are gone now.
     
    #39 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Aug 8, 2018
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