Is there a Twin Cities tap list?

In addition to Blackstack and Barrel Theory, Wild Mind and Fair State are certainty worth checking out if you're willing to travel.

 

Black Stack is great. Barrel Theory

lots of love. If you are into NEIPA, Saint Paul has two of the states best producers in Black Stack, and Barrel Theory. Of note, Uber is pretty inexpensive in MSP, and there are a lot of great breweries within decent proximity of each other in both cities.

 

Right? Don’t get me wrong, I like Sysyphus. But one makes a bunch of NEIPA’s, and the other is Sysyphus.

 

Yeah I like Sisyphus a lot and went a couple times/month when I lived closer. But that comparison is really unfair to what Sisyphus does and really just misleading to anyone that isn't familiar with sisyphus but probably has heard a lot about TG.

 

If Toppling Goliath makes a bunch of NEIPAs, that's a very recent development, and few if any of those beers have reached Minnesota. I think many of Sisyphus's hops-forward beers generally resemble the original, modern, aromatic, grassy, dry, hoppy beers that made Toppling Goliath famous, such as pseudoSue, which debuted in 2011 and thus predates the existence of any actual NEIPA and bares only a superficial resemblance to one. Sisyphus's non-hops-forward beers also often broadly resemble those of Toppling Goliath as punched-up, flavorful versions of classic styles, sometimes with a twist.

To me, someone who is very familiar with both of these breweries and who has visited both multiple times over the years, Toppling Goliath's influence on Sisyphus is clear. Fortunately, Sisyphus produces well-made and flavorful beer that does that influence justice. Put some Toppling Goliath beers against Sisyphus beers of similar styles in a blind taste test, and I bet you'd struggle to identify the brewery. That said, Sisyphus certainly has other influences as well, and, frankly, it's a more versatile brewery that isn't as dependent on IPA-family beers and artificial scarcity imperial stouts for its -- admittedly much more meager but still quite positive -- reputation.

Added: If you think there are any closer Toppling Goliath comps than Sisyphus in this state, not in terms of size and reputation but rather in terms of quality and the styles emphasized, techniques and ingredients utilized, and the way the beer tastes, I'd love to hear them.

 

Bro. The only thing TG distributes to MSP is ultra hazy, bio transferred ipa.

 

Are you staying at the Hewing?

If so, there is a terrific restaurant in the hotel called Tullibee that I would highly recommend. If upscale isn't your thing then Cuzzy's bar is a little dive not far from you that does bar food well, good burgers and all sorts of other foods, with at least a few craft beers on tap or in bottles at all times. Plenty of other great places within walking distance we can let you know about if you are interested. Have fun!

 

If you like the Red Cow Taplist, Hopcat might be worth a stop, too. It's relatively nearby. I really liked the Port and Madeira BA Worthy Adversary RIS, from Fulton.

 

Oh gosh, so many it is hard to choose. Just in the North Loop, within a 5 minute walk from the Hewing are: Spoon & Stable
Bar La Grassa
Borough and the downstairs bar Parlour (I recommend getting the burger, it is maybe the best in the city, imho)
The Bachelor Farmer (and the downstairs Marvel Bar), 112 Eatery
Moose & Sadies (Breakfast spot)

Minneapolis has a wonderful food scene and while some of these might be difficult to get into (Spoon & Stable - TIP: sit at the bar, it serves the full menu, I believe) they are all worth taking a look at the online menus to see what strikes your fancy. Cheers and good eating!

 

Butcher and the Boar is a great spot for dinner, but pricey. They usually have a good tap and Bourbon list. I don't think they're open for lunch. Worth looking up at least.