Photos by Brian Kaufenberg Located just off of Central Avenue in historic downtown Faribault, Minnesota, Chris Voegele, Travis Temke, and Noah Strouth opened the doors to the town’s first modern brewery, F-Town Brewing, last month. “The community is really excited about it,” says Temke, the company’s business and marketing manager. F-Town Brewing is the first … [ Read more]
Breweries Boom in Greater Minnesota
June 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
If there are two things craft breweries in greater Minnesota have proven, it’s that there is no such thing as a “typical” craft-beer drinker, and demand for new and interesting beers doesn’t stop at the 694–494 loop. “Customers just blow stereotypes out of the water,” said Bemidji Brewing Company Head Brewer Tom Hill. “We’ll have … [ Read more]
Tin Whiskers Announces Third Member of Year-Round Bomber Lineup
April 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
St. Paul’s Tin Whiskers Brewing Company announced the third member of its year-round lineup of 22 oz. bombers last week. Wheatstone Bridge American Wheat will be available in stores alongside Short Circuit Stout and Flip-Switch IPA starting April 7. According to the brewery, Wheatstone Bridge combines American Pale malt, White Wheat malt and Glacier hops … [ Read more]
Brewers Association Releases Top 50 Breweries
March 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers, released its annual ranking of the top 50 craft and overall breweries in the U.S., based on beer sales volume. Minnesota breweries August Schell Brewing Company and Summit Brewing Company made the craft list at numbers 27 and 28, respectively, and three … [ Read more]
Barley John’s Brew Pub Breaks Ground on New Production Facility in Western Wisconsin
August 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment
On the heels of winning their third straight Great Snowshoe Award at Winterfest last week comes news that Barley John’s Brew Pub is expanding its operation, adding a production brewery and taproom. Exciting news, yes. Not as exciting for local fans of Barley John’s: the new facility is being built across the river—not the Mississippi, but … [ Read more]
Grab a Craft Brew at These Four Minnesota Gaming Establishments
May 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Minnesota might never have an answer to Vegas, but its racetracks and casinos are focusing on one thing that’s in short supply at most Sin City establishments: craft beer from across the great Midwest. We consulted with four major gaming establishments within easy driving distance of the Twin Cities and came back with some encouraging … [ Read more]
Living the Dream at L.T.D. Brewing
February 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Now Open (Or Damn Close) visits Hopkin’s newest gathering place. by Brian Kaufenberg Photo courtesy of L.T.D. Brewing The wait has been a long and challenging one, but Blake Verdon and Jeremy “Jem” Hale’s perseverance over four and a half years of planning have brought them within months of “living the dream” and opening the … [ Read more]
All About Bocks and Dopplebocks
February 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Style Profile looks at a German (and Minnesotan) original. By Michael Agnew, A Perfect Pint Illustration by DWITT “Is it true that bock beer is made from the dregs left in the tanks at the end of the year?” I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked that question. I don’t know … [ Read more]
Fair State Brewing Cooperative Signs Lease for Northeast Minneapolis Brewery
November 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
By Brian Kaufenberg After a lengthy real estate search, the members of Minnesota’s first brewery cooperative Fair State Brewing have finally found a home in Northeast Minneapolis. The 2,500 square foot space is located at 2506 Central Avenue NE in Minneapolis, a building that also houses Aki’s Breadhouse, joining four other Northeast Minneapolis breweries within … [ Read more]
Summit Unchained Series #14: Bière de Garde
October 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment
By Brian Kaufenberg Fans of Summit Brewing‘s Unchained Series are in for more treats than tricks this October. On October 28 at The Nook they will release the newest beer in their Unchained Series, a traditional Bière de Garde from brewer Jeff Williamson. Bière de Garde is one of the major French contributions to specialty beer styles … [ Read more]
Minnesota Takes Home Some Hardware at The Great American Beer Fest
October 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The 2013 Great American Beer Fest comes to a close this afternoon. The competition portion of the event wrapped up this afternoon and four Minnesota breweries were awarded medals for various styles in this year’s competition. Stay tuned for The Growler’s Complete Recap of The 2013 GABF. Minnesota’s 2013 Great American Beer Festival Medal Winners: … [ Read more]
A Heart to Heart with Lift Bridge Brewing’s Matt Hall
September 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
By Brian Kaufenberg Photos by Aaron Davidson Name: Matt Hall Hometown: Saint Paul Works at: Lift Bridge Turn-Ons: Aloha, and having a beer on the bedroom deck with my wife. Turn-Offs: Those small wooden spoons you get with single serve ice cream cups. The Growler: First off, did Lift Bridge ever get the planter that … [ Read more]
Harvest Season: Minnesota’s Bounty of Fall Brews
September 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Fall is officially upon us. The harvest season offers more than perfect sweatshirt weather, football on TV, and the scenic majesty of autumn in the Midwest. This time of year also happens to be a busy one in terms of beer. Craft breweries across the country (and the world) are releasing their varied versions of … [ Read more]
Brewpubs: A Viable Business Model in Minnesota?
August 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Deep Thoughts with Dave Hoops by Dave Hoops I wrote this article for two reasons. First, to help the craft beer lovers of Minnesota understand the beer rules. Second, to support the fact that yes, brewpubs are a viable business model in this state – they just have to work a bit harder within the … [ Read more]
Roulade of Stuffed Chicken with Olvalde’s Auroch’s Horn at Republic Calhoun Square
July 3, 2013 by 1 Comment
Food Meets Beer Tries Some Innovative Food and Beer Pairings at Republic Calhoun Square By John Garland, The Heavy Table There’s a new chef in the kitchen at the Uptown Republic. We discover how the menu at the lauded Minneapolis beer bar is changing and witness a beer dinner’s conception from start to finish. The … [ Read more]
