I know it has been a very, very long time since I’ve written, but I felt compelled to do so after this week’s winter weather. This winter has had twists, turns, ups and downs. In December, I won a contest at my “real” job that netted me $1,000 for what I considered “doing my job”, but I wasn’t going to argue. By March, I had had enough with the winter, so the family and I took a road trip to Florida. I discovered an amazing liquor store, Total Wine and More, they had beer from every corner of the nation, including my hometown favorite, Summit. I picked up a grocery cart full of beer from the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast, all of which are not available here in Minnesota. These beers included, The Pike Brewery(Seattle), Diamond Knot(Seattle), Dogfish Head(Delaware), Bear Republic(California), and Anderson Valley(California). I was in beer lovers heaven. I would suggest trying any and all of these if you have a chance. We returned from Florida in late March with the thought that winter would be on its last legs…WRONG! We were greeted by a blanket of new snow and as we all know, it was far from over. As April dragged on and snowfall records broke and I was BROKE, I couldn’t wait for May and warm sunshine and cold beer. My wife lost her job due to lack of things to do, I was greeted with a massive tax bill due to my idiocy while unemployed for a year between May 2011 and May 2012. Now I’m in need of extra income, so if any Beer Northers have any ideas, I’ll listen. Well, here we are and it is still below 50 degrees as I write this and last evening I was in the mood for a winter standard, an Imperial Stout. And what a choice I had left in the fridge, North Coast Old Rasputin, amazingly perfect for a cold dreary evening to watch an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff game. I also imbibed on a couple of Southern Tier Live, a beer I hadn’t tried before, it is a bottle conditioned pale ale. It is crisp, hoppy and refreshing which I would rate about 3 pints. According to the “experts” next week, Spring will make it’s return, we’ll see. The American Craft Beer Week starts May 13th and I really, really want to be able to enjoy a cold beer under the warm sun. I will also make a return to update you on the events in the Beer North area tied to Craft Beer Week… Enjoy Cinco de Mayo tomorrow and raise a pint to our Mexican neighbors!!

CHEERS!!

IMPERIAL STOUT…just the mention of these two simple words start an automatic reaction that causes my mouth to water. Last week, I was fortunate enough to purchase a bottle of Surly Darkness($28.50), which is residing in my refrigerator. This evening I got notice from my Beer Club that I could purchase Deschutes The Abyss 2012 Reserve, Mikkeler Black Hole(an amazing 13.1% ABV)…BOTH Imperial Stouts which I haven’t had the pleasure to enjoy yet. Imperial Stout, is the style, the reason I began this blog, the lynchpin was a Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout, which I found is BACK on local shelves. My plan for the next month is to gather as many Imperial Stouts to enjoy during Christmas and the New Year Holidays. Not only do I love the Christmas season, I thoroughly LOVE the beer selection this time of year. Porters, Stouts, Celebration Ales, Winter Ales, Christmas Ales…yum, Yum, YUM! I need help from Beer North Nation to clue me in on YOUR favorite Beers for the season. I know it has been more than a month since this page has been refreshed, but I may be able to find more time to share my beers with you during this holiday season. So come on, let me know your favorite seasonal beers so I can ENJOY them along with you!

CHEERS!!

As the title suggests, The Great American Beer Festival was held October 11th-13th in Denver. Because I am a man of little to zero means, I did not make it this year…again. Fear NOT, it is on my bucket list and will be in attendance one of these Octobers as I grow older. Without further ado here is your latest edition of Sips…I hope you enjoy!

Something a little different for this edition, I thought I’d share with you winners at the Great American Beer festival that are either locally available or locally produced.

FRUIT WHEAT BEER: SILVER – Summer Shandy, Jacob Leinenkugel’s Brewing Company

FIELD BEER OR PUMPKIN BEER: GOLD – Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale, Stevens Point Brewery

HERB & SPICE BEER: BRONZE – Utah Sage Saison, Epic Brewing Company

SPECIALTY BEER: GOLD – Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Rogue Ales
SILVER – Alaskan Birch Bock, Alaskan Brewing Company

SESSION BEER: BRONZE – Bitter American, 21st Amendment Brewery

OTHER STRONG BEER: GOLD – Reverb Imperial Pilsner, Boulevard Brewing Company

FRESH HOP ALE: GOLD – Estate Homegrown Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

INDIGENOUS BEER: SILVER – Signature Gratzer, Choc Beer Company

GLUTEN FREE BEER: SILVER – Brown, New Planet Beer Company

AMERICAN-BELGO STYLE ALE: SILVER – Chainbreaker WIPA, Deschutes Brewery

AMERICAN-STYLE SOUR ALE: BRONZE – Fitger’s Framboise, Fitger’s Brewhouse

WOOD & BARREL AGED STRONG STOUT: GOLD – Fourteen Fourteen, Central Waters Brewing Company

ENGLISH STYLE IPA: GOLD – India Pale Ale, Goose Island Beer Company

AMERICAN STYLE AMBER/RED ALE: SILVER – Fixed Gear American Red Ale, Lakefront Brewery
BRONZE – Winterhook, Redhook Brewery

ORDINARY OR SPECIAL BITTER: BRONZE – Sawtooth Ale, Left Hand Brewing Company

Now I can neither confirm nor deny the availability of these beers in our market, some may be limited editions for their home markets. But on the off chance you happen to see one of them somewhere, please share with the rest of Beer North! For a complete list ALL the winners, click on the logo above to get to the official Great American Beer Festival site. I hope you enjoyed this departure from the normal Sips edition, raise a pint to WEDNESDAY!!

CHEERS!!

Another Autumn Monday and believe it or not, I have a few memories to share… I was able to enjoy a few seasonal beers at Brick’s American Pub…

Widmer Brothers Brewing – Okto Festival Ale
5.3% ABV
29 IBU

A malty, sweet festival ale that is reminiscent of other Okotberfest ales. I found it to be very good and would recommend to those of you that enjoy an Oktoberfest! Widmer describes it this way: “LOOSEN YOUR LEDERHOSEN. OUR FULL-BODIED OKTO FESTIVAL ALE IS INSPIRED BY BAVARIAN OKTOBERFEST, AND WE PAY FITTING TRIBUTE WITH ITS DISTINCTIVE MALT FLAVORS, MILD FLORAL CHARACTER AND CRISP CLEAN FINISH. PROST! TO THE LAND OF THE PROST!”

UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS

Surly Brewing Company – SurlyFest
6% ABV
34 IBU

Surly, Surly…all I hear is how amazing their beers are, well truth be told, this isn’t one of them. To my uneducated palate I found it to be boring that had no finish. As I have found with other Surly products, the finish is quick and nearly non existent. But who am I to judge, Surly says this: “A traditional Oktoberfest bier from Surly? Nein! If you want one of those, grab your passport and head over to Munchen (bring us back some pretzels.) SurlyFest is brewed with three different types of Rye and a single variety of American Hops. Malted Rye, Flaked Rye, and Crystal Rye impart a distinctive biscuit flavor to the lush Vienna Malt body, and dry-hopping with Sterling Hops adds bright, floral hop aromas. A single hop, dry-hopped, rye lager bier? Ja!”

UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 2 out of 4 PINTS

Goose Island Brewing – Minx Belgian IPA
8% ABV
N/A IBU

Here is a beer that isn’t even on their website. I found it on tap at Brick’s and couldn’t resist a try. According to the bar manager, it is a rare brew that isn’t readily available. I found it to be very tasty, sweet with subtle hints of vanilla. If you do find it give it a shot…

UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS

Badger Hill Brewing – Three Tree Rye
5.2% ABV
48 IBU

Found this “newbie” on tap at Chianti Grill in Roseville and said HEY, I haven’t had that before! First impression was sweet and malty with a hint if bitterness at the finish. Once again, I know nothing so here is what Badger Hill says: “A German, a Belgian and an American walk into a bar. This isn’t a joke, but a modern tale of Rye Ale making—rooted in a rich family legacy. Our brew resembles a German Roggeinbier, but is eccentric enough to skew Belgian with its seven unique malts. Seven! This crisp beer has been crafted with just the right mix of spicy rye, distinctive malt flavor, and hoppiness making it an all-American home run. Let your palate branch out with this winning ale.” Give it a try as it is a local beer from Minnetonka…I liked it very much.

UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS

Enjoy your week Beer North Nation, don’t cry in your beer too much for the Purple, it ruins the flavor! Remember we are still a game up on the Pack…which means life is good!!!

CHEERS!!

As the weather as changed my mouth is hankering for an Imperial Stout, nothing better to warm you form the inside out. Anyway, here is a short list of things to do this weekend.

TONIGHT 5-7 Tournament Liquors is having another edition of Craft Beer Tastings tonight featuring Deschutes Brewery beers.

TONIGHT, Pig & Fiddle, will be tapping a special firkin of Rush River Bubble Jack

TOMORROW 1-5 Stillwater Harvest Fest, is having a Micro brew and wine tasting event.

TOMORROW 3-9 Indeed Brewing Hullabaloo 2012 Autumn Release Fest, including tasty burgers from The Blue Door Pub!

Keep in mind that there are several brewery taprooms open this weekend, SUPPORT your LOCAL BREWERIES!!

GO PURPLE and CHEERS!!!

I think Autumn is officially here, I have spent the last 2 days in an office without heat! I know that seems crazy for an office in Minneapolis, but it is true, as a matter of fact, the temperature outside on Monday was 64 degrees and I’m sure that the temp inside was at least 10 degrees colder! Luckily I didn’t have to spend the entire day there as my position allows me to visit job sites, so i had a little bit of a reprieve. All I could think about was, wouldn’t it be nice if I could pop the top off an Imperial Stout and I would be warm instantly… With that here is this week’s edition of sips…

Odell Mountain Standard has returned to our fair city, this double black IPA is one of my favorite seasonals, if not tried, do yourself a favor and get some.

Summit Brewing has announced that there 11th Unchained Series beer will be called Old 152 a “Kentucky Common” not exactly sure what that is, but it may explain the bourbon barrels they had shipped in a few months ago. The release is set for October 22nd…Sweeney’s will be hosting a release party October 23rd!

Surly Darkness 2012 details have been announced, 1200 wristbands will be available which allows you to buy a maximum of 6 bottles per wristband for $18(CASH ONLY)/bottle.

Surly used 2400 pounds of simcoe hops in this years Wet!

That’s ALL FOLKS!! HAPPY WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!

CHEERS!!

Last night was the first time this week I actually felt good enough to open a cold beer and enjoy. For some reason, I had some funk going on in my head and stomach. Every night this week, I came home light headed and nauseous, so much so that all I wanted to do was lay down and go to sleep. This is why I had NO posts this week…SORRY BEER NORTH NATION! I tempted fate last night by opening a bottle of Oktoberfest, the Summit version, and low and behold…YUMMY! In any case, this weekend is shaping up to be pretty good for drinking beer!!

-TONIGHT 4-7, Thomas Liquors is having another Fitty’s First Friday(FFF) featuring Great River Brewery’s beers

-TONIGHT 5-7 Tournament Liquor in Blaine is starting Friday night craft beer tastings, tonight’s edition is Clown Shoes Brewing Company beers. Every week they will feature a new craft brewery…

-TONIGHT 4-11 & TOMORROW NOON-11 Twin Cities Oktoberfest at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, click the link for a $10 off admission coupon!!

-TOMORROW 2-5 Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room is celebrating it’s 2 year anniversary with a craft beer fest!

ENJOY this first chill of Autumn, I will be at the Blane soccer fields both Saturday & Sunday if anyone wants to drop by and bring me something cold to keep me warm (if you know what I mean, and I’m sure YOU do)! Raise a pint to the beloved PURPLE, only 2 more wins to meet my pre-season prediction!!

CHEERS!!

Did I hear correctly yesterday? The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have reached an agreement? All it took was a Green Bay loss and 70,000 voice mails to the NFL league offices… Now what can we do about hockey? The NHL has officially canceled ALL the pre-season games, do I need to start an e-mail blast campaign? I hope not, seeing as I have a hard enough time writing a blog post 3 times a week!! Anyway, I just popped the top off a bottle of Summit Saga and other than this weekend being a HUGE game for my beloved purple(to see how they respond after beating the niners last week); hear are other things happening around town.

TODAY, from 3-8 Summit Brewing Company officially opens it’s taproom at the brewery! If last weekend’s soft opening is any indication, it should be a huge hit and a great time for all. The food truck selection for today is Barrio, nothing better than mexican inspired food and Summit! $4 pints and $7 flights…and a special new beer, Export Stout will be on TAP, YUMMY!

TODAY, ALL DAY, Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room has $3 pints of Brooklyn Blast, Oktoberfest, and Gold Standard.

TONIGHT, from 5-7 at Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan, Badger Hill Brewing will be hanging out. Enjoy a pint of their Minnesota Special Bitter and some fine food pairings!

TOMORROW from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., WHERE THE WILD BEERS ARE is happening at Republic in Minneapolis. This is the 5th year of this event that spotlights wild ales…follow the above link, because you do NEED to register online!

TOMORROW, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Harriet Brewing’s Rauchfest, a celebration of BEER, music, art, and food! The forecast looks like perfect beer drinking wearer, of course, what isn’t perfect for beer drinking?

That should give you a few options for your weekend! Cheer..Root.. those Vikings to a victory over the HATED Lions!!

CHEERS!!

What a lovely day in Beer North Country, time to pop the top off a cold one and enjoy my latest bits of news. So here we go…

– Odell Brewing is on the verge of releasing it’s 6th Woodcut series beer, an Oak Aged American Ale. The release date is set for October 6th.

– Great Divide Brewing’s production is up 34% through August!

- Badger Hill Brewing will release bottles to liquor stores this week. The beers available will be their MSB(Minnesota Special Bitter) and Three Tree Rye Ale.

– Lift Bridge Brewing has switched distributors to Original Gravity.

Thats all for now as I am writing this at my son’s soccer practice, with my luck a ball will come at me and break my computer!!

CHEERS!!

In light of the way Beer North has FALLEN recently(I regret to say I posted ONCE last week), I have thought deeply about what the next step should be. To help keep the small amount of followers I may still have, I have decided to cut Beer North posts to 3 per week, hoping I can achieve that goal… SO look for new posts every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. I hope that you find these changes to your liking and with much luck I will add more posts as I settle into my new employed life.

With that said, Monday Morning Memories this week does NOT include any NEW beers. However, I did give a beer a second chance that I didn’t really appreciate earlier this year. Stone IPA, I had out of a bottle from a rack of Build your own 6 pack not knowing how old it was, I rated it rather low. I was sitting, or more accurately standing, at The Nook in St. Paul waiting for my table to enjoy their famous stuffed burgers. I enjoyed a tap of the formally berated beer and my eyes were open to the possibility of OLD IPA. This epiphany made me question my love for those pick your own 6 pack kiosks. From this point forward I will look more carefully at those bottles searching for dates, especially the more hoppy beers. The hoppier the beer the more important the freshness is. This time with the Stone I was able to enjoy it and pick out the subtle tastes, so much so that I ordered a second one. As for that burger, WOW, I had a Guy’s Big Bite, which is a burger stuffed with pepper jack cheese and topped with roast beef. It was amazing and served with hand cut french fries, which were the icing on the cake.

Another thing I enjoyed this weekend was the Summit taproom. I had the distinct pleasure to be invited to their taproom’s soft opening Friday night. The OFFICIAL Grand Opening is this coming Friday, September 28th from 3:00 to 8:00. They had Nate’s Dogs on site for food, board games, and music for entertainment. Who needs entertainment when you have good cold beer to enjoy. They offer pints($5) and 4 beer Flights($7) that are pre-selected. The other nice thing was that they sell tokens for each choice, that way you don’t have to deal with change from the bartender, just grab your beer and go enjoy! It was nice to enjoy fresh Summit while being able to show my wife and friends around the brewery. The highlight for them was the gift shop where we dropped a more than a few dollars. I suggest you check it out when you have a free Friday night!!

CHEERS!!