I'm just curious.....what do people think about this brewery? I was surprised to hear they actually pay a marketing firm. (Not that it matters that they do really, but I don't get the whole dick joke thing as a way to go to market). I barely see them on tap anywhere
Personally, I think their shelf beers are just ok and the only one I will buy from time to time is Bad Axe, but after drinking it I usually regret it. However, I went to their taproom and the beer there was pretty good. When I was their, they had a milk stout and a saison with blackcaps that both I really enjoyed. Been meaning to go back to see what else they have.
Morning Wood is pretty bad. But I have enjoyed their other canned offerings, especially Wicked Ex. I think they are overpriced for charging Surly prices for not that level of quality and satisfaction.
I have difficulty taking any business seriously that thinks crude frat jokes are a marketing tool for their business.
Sorry to deviate from the thread a bit, but this reminds me. I saw Leach Lake IPA in four packs of 16 oz. aluminum bottles for $12 and change at Total Wine the other day. Boggled my mind.
Two thoughts: 1. “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.” 2. They've managed to make it six tears with penis jokes -- more power to 'em, I say!* *And yet... I will never buy their beer. I'm just too "classy" to buy into such a gimmick. Yeah, pork rinds and all.
I understand they contract out of Cold Spring. I wonder how many cases they have to buy at one time and how long it takes them to move all of what they have to take?
I don't buy any of their canned beers but do frequent the tap room often. Good "regular guy" vibe in there and my experience with the staff has been really good. The beer at the taproom can be a good experience too if one chooses well. Wicked Ex is a very nice west coast style IPA. Bad Axe is good fresh from the tap. Really like their taproom only Milk Stout and the Mai Bock from last spring was probably the best of that style I had last year. Also a big fan of Morning Wood. Don't do the canned version but am never disappointed when I get it on tap. The dick humor thing is over the top and tiresome but I guess once a place goes down that road then they just have to own it. Did get a good laugh out of this T-shirt: http://bigwoodbrewery.corecommerce....-d-dry-hop-that-Black-Pre-shrunk-T-shirt.html
Not a fan of their canned beer but I'd be willing to stop in the taproom to try some of their other offerings.
I finally stopped at their taproom last weekend and really loved the space. Really nice little speakeasy vibe there, and the servers were all really good. The beer ranged from gross (Forest Fire) to ok/good.
Yeah I've been there as well and agree with what you say here. Personally I could care less what breweries name themselves. I'm all about the beer and this place is simply ok to average.
I enjoy the Bad Axe quite a bit, but you need to get it fresh. I got a 4 pack about a month ago and had a can every night, really enjoyed it. But last week I went into total wine and forgot to look at the canning date and it was FOUR months old and it just tasted stale and musty. So if you get bad axe, make sure its fresh. Otherwise I agree with others, all the other beers are pretty average. I do want to stop into their taproom though, they always have 4-5 non-canned beers on tap that rotate out constantly. That is the kind of stuff that intrigues me.
I do like to stop by for growlers of their taproom only beers from time to time. They aren't bad..most are solid.....
As a white bear native, it's great having a taproom right downtown. I echo all of the posts about their taproom-only beers being spot in, particularly for a local such as myself. Great space, friendly staff. Most of the time I end up drinking with an owner (Steve) and the head brewer (Ty). They are great people and represent everything that is good about the craft beer explosion. Cheers!
