Known from the blogs to the beirgartens as one of Minnesota’s most colorful, knowledgable, and outspoken brewers, Dr. Kristen England seemed like the perfect resource to tap for a primer on blind tasting before The Growler’s Unlabeled No. 1: Hazy IPA. Prior to his work as the head brewer and COO of Bent Brewstillery in … [ Read more]
Two Minnesota Distilleries Awarded Best of Class at 2019 American Craft Spirits Awards
Medalists for the 2019 American Craft Spirits Awards were announced Monday, February 11, at the annual ACSA Distillers’ Convention & Vendor Trade Show, hosted this year at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. The awards are divided into seven categories—Brandy, Gin, Rum, Specialty Spirits, Vodka & Grain, Whiskey, and Innovation (a new category in 2019, recognizing … [ Read more]
Distilling a Definition: What are ‘craft spirits’ and does it matter?
You needn’t look any further than the Twin Cities to see the flourishing craft spirits movement afoot in the United States today, with new distillers taking up residence in old warehouses all around us. As of March of this year, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) reported that there were upwards of 1,300 spirits producers … [ Read more]
Bent Brewstillery adds canning line
Bent Brewstillery has been canning for a while now, but soon they’ll get to do it in their own space with their new canning line. To kickoff this new phase of their business, the Roseville brewery/distillery will be having a ribbon cutting celebration on May 3. The ceremony will take place at 4:45pm at the brewstillery (1744 Terrace … [ Read more]
The State of Minnesota Whiskey
The Minnesota craft-distilling scene is looking to find its place in the geography of whiskey. With a handful of distilleries now past that two-year mark, it’s nearing the time for many to make the jump from barrel to bottle and start bringing aged spirits to market. Adrian Panther of Panther Distillery in Osakis believes Minnesota’s … [ Read more]
Potato peels to Irish moonshine—Anchor Fish & Chips and Bent Brewstillery team up
Quick, name three things you can make out of a potato. Unless you live in Ireland and have a penchant for high-octane booze, your list probably didn’t include poitín, but Bent Brewstillery and The Anchor Fish & Chips are out to change that. “I’m a big fan of collaborations with people outside of the industry … [ Read more]
Bent Brewstillery Moar Scottish Session IPA
Bent Brewstillery Moar Scottish Session IPA 4.7% ABV, 47 IBU Moar is mysteriously labeled as “Historical India Pale Ale.” What does that mean? In this case, a Scottish-style, medium-bodied, session pale ale that’s a change of pace from other IPAs. Initial flavors of spice and malt lead into bright fruits and a dry, bitter finish. … [ Read more]