Well, it's been a few years, but I will be spending a number of nights in Austin, MN over the next month or so for work. What are the chances of finding anything decent on tap right in Austin? And if anyone wants to throw me any dinner place tips (I love Piggy Blues, but going there 3-4 nights a week seems excessive) I'm all ears. Thanks.
Not a dinner place, but that's an easy drive to sneak into Worth Brewing in Northwood, IA. Pretty solid little brewery there.
The Old Mill restaurant is pretty nice with an outstanding beer list. Worth Brewing is worth while & Toppling Goliath is only an hour & a half away
Thanks for the tip on Worth Brewing, I'll definitely check that out. I visited the Old Mill last time I was "in town" & will definitely do so again, the food was excellent. Although the bottled/can list appears a bit outdated, I'm not sure I'd throw down for any Surly Wet (2013?).
Todd is featured as of their most recent Facebook update. And someone might be ISO that vintage can of Wet!
Was just there a couple weeks ago. They did, indeed have Todd on tap (pouring pints!), as well as Maitrisse, Indeed Wooden Soul, Palm Especiale, and a couple really nice other beers. I didn't think the food was that great, but would go back based on tap list. Also, they don't have much of a food menu, but Dusty's Bar downtown usually has a few really good taps.
I happen to know that the Old Mill is sitting on several bottles of Darkness from the past several years. Not sure what they will cost but there they are waiting to be had.
If going to Northwood for Worth Brewing a few more miles south both Clear Lake and Mason City have brew pubs as well. I've never been to the Mason City one, but Lakeside (I think that's what it is called) had some pretty good beers.
I know I'm late but I thought I would chip in my two cents. I live in Austin. I echo the comments on the Old Mill Restaurant, Worth Brewing, and Toppling Goliath (the 90 minute drive is worth it). For buying beer I recommend Hy Vee, north of I-90 off exit 178A. You'll find plenty of Surly, Indeed, a nice bomber section and a decent build-your-own sixer section. Most other liquor stores in Austin either allow their beers to age excessively or just sell BMCs. I like Austin, it's not a bad place. But craft beer wise...sadly it lags behind the rest of Minnesota.
