Visiting the Twin Cities for several days

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by John_M, May 21, 2024.

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  1. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Greetings gentle denizens of the Great Lakes regional forum

    My wife and I will be visiting the Twin Cities the first three days in June. My wife grew up in Minneapolis and has family there (in Blaine actually), and so this isn't my first visit. However, it's been several years since we were last in town, so I'm not up on the latest best spots to visit while we're in town.

    Until it closed I was a big fan of the Republic pub, and during our last visit it was recommended we visit Ansaris in Eagan. It was an excellent suggestion and I'd happily go there again, though it would be nice to find some place comparable that's a bit closer to Blaine. Are there any other multi tap houses comparable to Ansaris that you all might recommend?

    As far as breweries, is there anything that you all feel is a must visit stop? I've been to Surly, the townhouse, Steel Toe and several other places, all of which were excellent. I wouldn't mind going to any of those places again, but was wondering if there are any new hot, can't miss breweries I should hit up while in town.

    Also, once a year my wife and I host a ba stout party at our house, so I'm always on the lookout for great ba impy stouts while we're traveling. Anything new that you guys would recommend that's out right now (that's fairly readily available)?

    We have a car and my wife and relatives know their way around town, so a bit of driving is no problem for us.

    Thanks in advance for any advice and/or help you can provide.
     
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  2. Tsar_Riga

    Tsar_Riga Grand Pooh-Bah (3,349) Sep 9, 2013 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    First off, you probably are an older hand at spots around the Twin Cities than I am, since I moved here last year, so I fear I might simply highlight items about which you already aware.

    That said, while you asked for breweries, I would point you toward France 44, which is worth a shout out. Their selection of local and craft brews in distribution in Minnesota is pretty exceptional. It also offers all sorts of interesting, although pricey, food stuffs, so it can form a one spot stop for both drinks and nosh, if you are so inclined.

    If you are focused on the brewery experience, I'm personally a huge fan of Barrel Theory, in St. Paul. It delivers the goods on its IPA work, and I've enjoyed their other brews, as well. Nice spot to drop in and grab a pint.

    Modist in North Loop has solid beers. Very loud music, so not a talking spot, but oddly can be a bit sleepy when I've dropped in to pick up some brews after eating at our favorite taco spot down the street. Last time we went, though, there was quite a lively crowd by the time we left.

    Of course, I appreciate the sheer scale of the Surly beerhall, and have loved their beers for years, so it is not a bad choice, despite being a known quantity.

    I'm quite interested in the other suggestions you get.
     
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  3. gudbrande

    gudbrande Pundit (962) Jul 10, 2009 Minnesota
    Society Trader

    You're going to have a tough time finding good BA stouts in the Twin Cities. A trip to Rochester to visit Forager is a good bet as they just had a BA stout release last weekend and might still have some available to-go. The BA stouts aren't listed on the to-go menu so definitely call ahead first. Jack's Bottle shop is a few doors down from Forager, nice little place with some interesting options. Night Witch from Lupulin was released a good while ago but I found it to be solidly enjoyable. You might find some BA offerings from Back Channel, I've enjoyed those.

    Breweries: Fair State, Utepils, Arbeiter, and Venn are my favorites in Minneapolis. Those all lean toward lagers (they all do pretty dang good work) but there is good variety at each, including plenty of IPAs.

    Bang Brewing in St Paul (not far from Surly and Blackstack) is a hidden gem in my opinion. Tiny little indoor space but they have a ton of outdoor space for a nice summer day.
     
    #3 gudbrande, May 21, 2024
    Last edited: May 21, 2024
  4. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

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

    what are you looking for in BA Stouts? how about BA Barleywines?
     
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  5. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If your in Blaine look no further than The Rusty Bumblebee . A full assortment of taps/styles
     
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  6. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

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

    Falling Knife might be worth looking into for Barley wines.
    A drive to Big Lake maybe worth it, Lupulin is ok.
    gudbrande is correct in his post about BA Stouts right now in the TC metro.
    Steel Toe Before the Dawn is a solid beer
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26565/82744/
     
  7. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Um, any type of BA stout is fine (whiskey, bourbon, rum... ). BA pastry stouts are fine as well, though BA imperial stouts are preferred. BA barleywines are fine as well. I usually open a few during the BA stout event.
     
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  8. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Great recommendation. This place is exactly what I'm looking for. The fact it happens to be located in Blaine is a huge plus.

    Many thanks!
     
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  9. SudsSavant

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

  10. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

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

    you fly'n in or drive'n here? if your fly'n how do you take massive amounts of beer back?
     
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  11. fargofallout

    fargofallout Crusader (430) Nov 30, 2010 Minnesota
    Trader

    Surly's BA Darkness came out a month or two ago and can still be found around town (someone else mentioned France 44 in here, and they almost definitely have it), and it's a solid stout. It comes in large cans.

    Another one that I really enjoy is Pryes BA Lost Moon, although it doesn't seem to get much love. It comes in cans or bottles.

    If you're feeling adventurous enough to drive all the way out to Stillwater, Lift Bridge Silhouette is always great. I never saw it in stores around town this year, but they had it in bottles in the taproom as of a month ago. I'd be surprised if it's sold out, but you'd probably want to call ahead on that one. *edit: I'm talking about the non-adjunct version. I tried either coffee or vanilla last year and didn't care for it (can't remember which), and I can't speak to whatever alternate versions they released this year. But the normal Silhouette is good, and they even had a bunch of different years of it when I was last in there.

    Otherwise, Central Waters has BA Stout, Peruvian Morning, and Vanilla Bean stout in the city right now, but where you can find those varies pretty wildly. France would be a good bet on those, too. They come in four packs of bottles.

    Keep in mind that I wouldn't consider any of these stouts to be the sorts of beers you'd have an event around, like Assassin or KBBS down in Decorah, but that's why I like them. They're very good and not overly sweet, and they're somewhat readily available. I wouldn't super go out of my way for them, but they're worth picking up if you see them.
     
  12. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks. We were last in town back in 5/22, so it's been a while. So this is very helpful.

    @cheeseheadinMinneapolis. We're driving. In addition to the Twin Cities, the plan is to hit Toppling Goliath, Prairie and North Park in San Diego as well. So a pretty busy driving trip.
     
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  13. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's not that kind of event. The closest thing to a whale I've ever served is BA Abraxas. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Central Waters and have served Peruvian Morning and some of their other stouts at the event in the past. Same with BA darkness (which I'd love to be able to find again). Anyway, thanks for all the recommendations and tips. Am pretty sure I'll now be including a visit to France 44 during our stay (my wife says she knows exactly where it's located).
     
    #13 John_M, May 21, 2024
    Last edited: May 21, 2024
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  14. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

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

    I have plenty of beers to trade if you want to meet in person at a bar/taproom. I have some Central Water beers that were taproom only release. PM me if Interested.
     
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  15. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sounds good. Assuming there's anything out here you might want to try. :sunglasses:

    I'll shoot you a PM when it's a bit closer to our departure date.
     
  16. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

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

    My needs are simple a bottle or two of english style barleywines. From the west coast that aren't available around here. Fremont?
     
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  17. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    As luck would have it, Fremont's B8K was just released. :sunglasses:

    I'll shoot you a PM shortly. Have a few tasting notes from Central Waters I want to look over. All I remember at this point is pretty much everything I tried from them was pretty damn good, with some variants outstanding.
     
  18. MNPikey

    MNPikey Pooh-Bah (1,693) Feb 27, 2011 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was at Forager Monday and they still had bottles of every single thing released Saturday. Just grabbed a single bottle as I rarely buy anything in cans/bottles any longer and especially not something that is $60.
     
  19. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

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

    ya I wonder if there beers are worth the price, for the price they best be the best in the country??? I have pasted on there big boys in the past. Are there big boys over hyped????????
     
    #19 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, May 21, 2024
    Last edited: May 21, 2024
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  20. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    There is a new tourism slogan (no joke) brought on by Anthony Edwards on TNT post game 7 win. So this is what we say to people wanting to visit:slight_smile:
    https://www.google.com/search?q=bri...ate=ive&vld=cid:f4e743de,vid:bcVy2XGc_Qo,st:0
     
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