Brewery Updates in Minnesota (2020)

Because the ABV was not listed? Really?

At least your purchasing criteria is unique.

 

I do not know if you remember but a long time ago there were bars that we used to go to after work. We watched the ABV carefully. It was just a mater of drinking responsibly. I guess I got into the habit and now that I am buying more to take home I watch it also.

 

@MichaelInMA

Regardless of the lack of ABV printed on cans/bottles.

Summit is solid across the board. Get their Keller Pils.

 

They post ABV on tap handles in bars in MA?

 

Check out his User Profile (he was a user at an earlier point in time, but forgot the email address which he used on his first go-round in order to sign-up for Beer Advocate, and so he created this new profile and username).

I was admittedly snippy in my first reply, but I am a crotchety old man (without much patience) with a tenuous link to the beer industry, so forgive me if you dare!

At any rate, I’m guessing that this guy isn’t an idiot (or as big of an asshole as I am) even though he is an admittedly lazy cuss.

As per my first post:

A) While it varies at the state level, stating the alcohol by volume (ABV) on a brand’s beer label is NOT Federally mandated.

If you are bored, you can read more at this link (or “do your own research”, as the Truthers like to put it):

https://vinepair.com/articles/ask-a...-not-have-abv-on-the-label-isnt-this-illegal/

 

Haha same thing happened to me. I signed up years ago but never really posted then one day I decided to start posting but had to make up this profile because I forgot my old sign in info. Also how did you see he signed up before, are you an admin?

 

I’m by no means an admin, Dave.

I just cyber-stalk the living shit out of everyone who posts on this forum (it’s an old habit of mine from before Internet was a thing).

 

Aren't we all!

 

I'm not making a big deal of it, but I too prefer if ABV is listed on the packaging. It does make a difference in my selection process, and on some close calls not having the abv could lead to not purchasing that beer. I'm not sure of the marketing decision to not list it. I'm sure there is something I don't know about this.
Three Floyds also does not list abv, or else it's just not all that obvious. And at the price they charge it makes a difference.

 

Funny I dont know how to look up my own damn info on this thing haha

 

IIRC (from posts on this board, probably by @jesskidden), Federal regulations do not require putting the ABV on the label, but if you do, Federal regulations have requirements of accuracy if it is sold interstate. That, by itself, could motivate brewers to leave it off.

 

As with other aspects of alcohol beverage law based on the 21st Amendment's Section Two, state law can override the Federal regulations.

 

Poking around in small liquor stores killing time while they plowed the apartment parking lot I came across a few bottles of Darkness by Surly. RIS is my favorite style. I was amazed by the rating on BA. Even at $20 a bottle I had to try one. It will be my New Year's eve. Is it really that good?

 

Yes it is good, and really good.

 

Number 7 in the world for the style:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/top-styles/84/

 

I went through my list of breweries planned to be opened and Looked for any updates. I started with the list that was presented here at the beginning of the year in this thread. Not too many are definitely still in process. Updates or corrections are welcome. (No info means I couldn't find anything using Google)

Amanogawa Brewing Co, Twin Cities – Still looking for a facility. Brewing at The Lab.

Bear Cave Brewing, Hopkins – No info

Benefactor Brewing, Minneapolis – No info

Big Heist Beer Co, South St Paul – Last Facebook entry March 2019

Bold I'land Brewing Co, Albert Lea – Can’t find if this is still in development or not.

Chanhassen Brewing Co, Chanhassen – Still planned Facebook 12/20/2020

El Loro, Sauk Rapids – No indication they are brewing their own beer. They may have decided against it.

Fell Run Brewing Co, Taylor's Falls – Last Facebook entry in March 2020

Head Brothers Brewing, **** Rapids – No info

Hidden Falls Brewing, St. Paul – Last Facebook entry July 2019

High Pines Brewing Co, Roseville – “We are close! hopefully mid January”

Iffy Brewing Co, Blaine – Last Facebook entry November 2019

Lake Superior Brewing Co , Duluth – Closed and sold to new owners. No info on reopening

Naked Viking Brewing, Glenwood – “we decided to wait through the pandemic. Working on a lot of utilities and so forth now and shooting for summer!”

Prime Stein Brewing, Rochester – Not clear what their plans are from Facebook.

SmitHops Brewery , Zimmerman - Last Facebook entry Dec 2019

Snarky Loon Brewing Co, Jenkins – Still in process. Unknown opening date.

Wooden Ship Brewing Co, Minneapolis – Brewing w/Venn, not clear when they will open

 

Would love to see Lake Superior Brewing move spaces. The beer is ok, but with a name like that it shouldn't be holed up in the end of a strip mall looking building. One of the oddest taproom experiences. New owners should dial back how many beers they make and find a Lakeview location.

As for the remainder, I think Wooden Ship will open in 2021, and maybe 1-2 others, but beyond that it seems to be either a pipedream or a bad idea to open up a brewery during a shutdown.

 

El Loro is not brewing, the equipment was slated to be sold to a new start up out of Princeton, but that got put on hold when Covid stopped an SBA loan.

SmitHop is no longer in plans, the owner has moved on to other real estate based development.

 

Just opened the Surly Darkness. There is a problem with it. The taste is so nice and it goes down so smooth I find myself drinking it much faster than I should. Especially for a 12%.

I just added a review. I am not the only one drinking it for New Years.

 

Just finished the Surly RIS and have 2 more hours to New Year's. I may not make it. I realize that the reason the Surly RIS is so smooth it is not that hoppy. By the time you finish the bottle is becomes kind of sweet. A Stone and other RIS's take 2+ years to mellow the bitterness of the hops. A fresh Surly RIS is balanced to begin with. I wonder how it will cellar. I will find out in a couple of years.