Bank Brewing - Hendricks, MN

I haven't made it up to the taproom yet but have heard from friends that it's a pretty cool place. I'm hoping to make it to their release party Jan. 10th. for "Into the Black" (10% Black IPA)

I will 2nd the Hop Lab endorsement. And I think you are talking about Smoke Bomb and Sour Bomb?? Both very good as well and I liked that the Smoke Bomb was a smoked ale rather than a porter like Surly Smoke or other popular smokey beers.

 

Based on having tried 1876 Rye & Devil's Gulch, I'm surprised anyone is drinking Bank Beer.

They were two of the worst beers I've ever tried to choke down. If they've turned a corner & are making some decent stuff, good for them - I never wish ill on a brewery. But I'll let y'all be the test goats for anything further they put out, as I won't be putting down good money for any more of their brews.

 

The Sour Bomb was not sour and at its price point it bombed. I gave it two chances a month or so apart hoping it had been released too soon, but both bottles were the same. A slightly tart wit bier.

 

Different strokes and all, but both of those beers worked for me at the time (and yeah, I had two bottles of the latter and two sixers of the former, so I probably just got lucky. This was also taking into consideration the fact that those were brewed at the old Brau Brothers facility in Lucan.)

The last I checked they were still brewing two their original brands (Rooster Lager and Walleye Chop) which were originally brewed at Cold Spring, but I'm pretty sure that everything is now being brewed and kegged/packaged at the new facility in Hendricks. Maybe their brewer can chime-in on this thread to clarify that? I know he's got an account on this site.

 

Been a few years but I quite liked their 1876 Rye. But I also really like rye ales.

 

I love rye ales; I'd have a rye IV set up if I could. I'm still waiting for that killer canned/bottled rye that I can have in the fridge 365 days a year.

 

Hey guys. First post for me here!

Chaz - I'm the brewer at the new facility in Hendricks. I've essentially created a whole new line of beers separate from anything created before June 2014, anything that you don't see below is part of the "beerforwildlife.com" brands and is still being produced at Brau and Cold Spring for the fans of those brands.

Here is the lineup so far:
Hop Bandit - Simcoe Pale Ale. Single Dry Hop, Lower strength, more of a "session" ale if you want to split hairs. Uses about 1lb Simcoe/ BBL.
Wanted - Amarillo Pale Wheat Ale. Double Dry hop, again, "session" strength, almost a "session IPA", if you will. Uses about 1.5lb Amarillo/ BBL.
Sour Bomb - Tart wheat ale. The TTB doesn't like when we call it a Berliner Weisse. Straight-forward tart and otherwise clean, refreshing ale. Again, low strength on that one.
Smoke Bomb - Smoke ale. 7% ale brewed with beechwood and cherrywood smoked malts to give an intense smoky flavor and aroma but finish clean and dry - not a porter.
Hop Lab (green) - West coast IPA. Dry, 2 lb/ bbl of Citra, Simcoe and Amarillo.
Into the Black - Imperial Black IPA. 10% Citra and Amarillo with Dark Candi Sugar added. 4.5 lbs hops /BBL
Hop Lab (blue) - Same grain bill as green with 100% Citra @ 2 lb/ BBL

dc55110 - I'd be glad to replace the product with another one of your choice if you would like, but here is a little more on that beer for you. We are working to get into a more affordable packages but, that was our first attempt at a retail package and with hand filling, labeling, crowning one at a time into those thick champagne bottles our cost is quite high.

maximum12 - I'd really appreciate if you would give some of my new products a try!

all others - Thanks for the kind words! I'm doing my best and always looking forward to feedback from the community.

Cheers,
Rich

 

Yea, 1876 rye was AWESOME, one of the best ryes I've ever had next to Great River's "Hopopotamus"!!!

 

Hop Lab Blue was, far and away, my favorite new MN IPA this year. Extremely well done, @BankBrewer.

 

Is this stuff really available at total wine?

 

Bank Brewing Hop Lab Blue Label (dry hopped citra) available at Vinifera in Plymouth. Bottled 5/15. One of the best new IPAs I've had this year.

 

Hap Lab Blue is superb.

 

I'll probably hit them up on Saturday. Hoping they still have it.

 

Is this the only place in the Cities that has it?

 

I previously got it at Princeton's, bit not sure they have this latest batch. I would guess they do, but I'd call or stop in.

 

South Lyndale is where I got it the first go around. Drank a 5-15 bottle from Vinifera last night (thanks Andy), and it was splendid.

 

I picked one up at South Lyndale yesterday (5/15 bottle date). They still had quite a few in the cooler. Haven't tried it yet so I can't offer any recommendations.

 

They got it but there was only one bottle left on the shelf on Tuesday, not sure if they had anymore in back.