Nine Mile ran out of one of their IPAs opening weekend. It was THAT crowded.
Picked up a 2016 Oskar Blues Ten Fidy (silo can) this past weekend. It is so much in the sweet spot it's sick. It was a 3 hour pour (to riff Gilligan's Island).
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Nine Mile ran out of one of their IPAs opening weekend. It was THAT crowded.
Picked up a 2016 Oskar Blues Ten Fidy (silo can) this past weekend. It is so much in the sweet spot it's sick. It was a 3 hour pour (to riff Gilligan's Island).
They ran out of their Hazy IPA when we were there.
I've heard good things.
STILL no opening date on Bear Cave in Hopkins. Not a surprise.
LTD is re-doing their bar, so closed for about 4 days starting Easter Sunday (will be open for to-go orders).
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Term Oil S’mores from TG. Rich, decadent and all the S’mores you could possibly want
For those familiar with Perrin Brewing's No Rules BA Vietnamese Porter, today was their release date. I'm loaded for bear. (They allow proxies 
and thanks to Mr And Mrs Melmac...)
4 x No Rules 2022 Orange Chocolate
4 x No Rules 2020 Mango Chili Variant
4 x No Rules 2022
3 x No Rules 5-Bottle Suitcase (5 year vertical)
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Dad was kind enough to bring me home a few different stouts from Trillium while at the FF. Looking forward to trying them
Dad was kind enough to bring me home a few different stouts from Trillium while at the FF. Looking forward to trying them
As a group, we had three of those stouts, two barrel aged, one Collab.
All three were phenomenal
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Lucca in Boston might have the best painkiller I’ve ever had. I’ve had two…debating a third.
Prelude to Tampa…
Dad was kind enough to bring me home a few different stouts from Trillium while at the FF. Looking forward to trying them
As a group, we had three of those stouts, two barrel aged, one Collab.
All three were phenomenal
Interestingly enough none of the 3 you had were available to go. Dad picked up a bottle of one of their 'Endless' series (vanilla variant), Night and Day (a coffee imperial) and the Barrel Aged Almond Cake.
[mention]The Rube[/mention] - do you have any idea how busy the Forager bottle releases are now that they've gone back away from their lottery drawings? My neighbor and I are going to try and get some Nillerzzz on the 30th and I'm trying to figure out how early in the morning we'll need to leave. We're thinking about trying to get there by 8am.
@The Rube - do you have any idea how busy the Forager bottle releases are now that they've gone back away from their lottery drawings? My neighbor and I are going to try and get some Nillerzzz on the 30th and I'm trying to figure out how early in the morning we'll need to leave. We're thinking about trying to get there by 8am.
I just saw that announcement. From what I HEAR, the flippers are basically gone, but 8am might still be too late. I think my target time will be 5am. So I either get up WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY early, or just leave after work Fri and sleep a little in my car after establishing my place in line,
(which I have done before). IIRC, 5-6am was about the cutoff time for the last "line ride" they had, to be guaranteed all the bottles. Don't quote me, though.
This vanilla bean-based release? I'm so in.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
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<s>davescharf wrote:</s>@The Rube – do you have any idea how busy the Forager bottle releases are now that they’ve gone back away from their lottery drawings? My neighbor and I are going to try and get some Nillerzzz on the 30th and I’m trying to figure out how early in the morning we’ll need to leave. We’re thinking about trying to get there by 8am. I just saw that announcement. From what I HEAR, the flippers are basically gone, but 8am might still be too late. I think my target time will be 5am. So I either get up WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY early, or just leave after work Fri and sleep a little in my car after establishing my place in line, (which I have done before). IIRC, 5-6am was about the cutoff time for the last “line ride” they had, to be guaranteed all the bottles. Don’t quote me, though. This vanilla bean-based release? I’m so in.
I think we're going to leave at 5am and take our chances.
I bought a 4 pack of Thor's Fury Returns. One of the last beers Hammerheart has made. You get some of the trademark smokiness but not for long because you're smacked in the face by the peppery heat and then smacked a couple more times for good measure. I love heat and chilies in my beer but this is WAY over the top. That said I like it but it will wreck your palate for the night and I doubt you'd want a second one right away.
I like to drink about 4-6oz of that Hammerheart beer, and that's it. I agree it's way over the top. They need to can the Dublin Raid again. That beer is phenomenal.
And undecided about Forager, I've been having second thoughts. I bought 29 bottles from Perrin's No Rules release for about twice the cost that Forager is charging for 6 bottles...while I LOVE Forager (and this particular release is really appealing to me)...do I really want to drop that dough (and time) for it?
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
https://beerdabbler.com/bear-cave-brewing-adds-an-upscale-self-pour-brewpub-to-downtown-hopkins/
And they expect tips? LOLOLOLOL. I'm not setting a foot into that place, nor spending a single cent to support this hogwash. From the sounds of it, I can't even order food (unless I maybe call in an order, and I don't know if that's even an option).
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
https://beerdabbler.com/bear-cave-brewing-adds-an-upscale-self-pour-brewpub-to-downtown-hopkins/ And they expect tips? LOLOLOLOL. I’m not setting a foot into that place, nor spending a single cent to support this hogwash. From the sounds of it, I can’t even order food (unless I maybe call in an order, and I don’t know if that’s even an option).
I'm not sure where you are seeing in that linked article that you can't order food. It looks like a lot of other restaurants around town where you can order via a QR code and have food delivered to your table. I'll bet they even have people that will give people with older phones a real menu.
I'll give them a shot at some point since it's close by but I'll wait until they have something other than IPAs on tap.
I went down to the Nillerzzz release at Forager today. Ended up getting there about 6:30am and there were only about 30 people in line. I don't know if the rain kept people away or if it's "big beer release fatigue" but the line never even left the Forager parking lot. A few people in line by us commented they've never seen it that short. Once the rain stopped around 8:30 there was a lot more beer sharing and socialization going on.
Once we got our bottles I ordered a Nillerzzz and one of the other stouts they sold today. Nillerzzz is still one of the best beers made in MN (in my opinion) and the other was excellent.
I went down to the Nillerzzz release at Forager today. Ended up getting there about 6:30am and there were only about 30 people in line. I don’t know if the rain kept people away or if it’s “big beer release fatigue” but the line never even left the Forager parking lot. A few people in line by us commented they’ve never seen it that short. Once the rain stopped around 8:30 there was a lot more beer sharing and socialization going on. Once we got our bottles I ordered a Nillerzzz and one of the other stouts they sold today. Nillerzzz is still one of the best beers made in MN (in my opinion) and the other was excellent.
- I can't order food at Bear Cave, b/c no smart phone.
- I skipped Forager, I have another big beer deal in the works, plus didn't know when I had to get to Forager, etc.
- 30? Jesus. I know the Flippers are pretty much gone, but wow. That is an incredibly short line. The big beer prices could be a factor, also.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I went down to the Nillerzzz release at Forager today. Ended up getting there about 6:30am and there were only about 30 people in line. I don’t know if the rain kept people away or if it’s “big beer release fatigue” but the line never even left the Forager parking lot. A few people in line by us commented they’ve never seen it that short. Once the rain stopped around 8:30 there was a lot more beer sharing and socialization going on. Once we got our bottles I ordered a Nillerzzz and one of the other stouts they sold today. Nillerzzz is still one of the best beers made in MN (in my opinion) and the other was excellent.
- I can’t order food at Bear Cave, b/c no smart phone.
- I skipped Forager, I have another big beer deal in the works, plus didn’t know when I had to get to Forager, etc.
- 30? Jesus. I know the Flippers are pretty much gone, but wow. That is an incredibly short line. The big beer prices could be a factor, also.
Yeah, those bottles weren’t cheap so that could be part of it too. The guys in front of me were buying Lord Humungous while in line then going to the NB Liquor Barrel for their bourbon raffle. That had to be a really expensive day for them.
I went down to the Nillerzzz release at Forager today. Ended up getting there about 6:30am and there were only about 30 people in line. I don’t know if the rain kept people away or if it’s “big beer release fatigue” but the line never even left the Forager parking lot. A few people in line by us commented they’ve never seen it that short. Once the rain stopped around 8:30 there was a lot more beer sharing and socialization going on. Once we got our bottles I ordered a Nillerzzz and one of the other stouts they sold today. Nillerzzz is still one of the best beers made in MN (in my opinion) and the other was excellent.
- I can’t order food at Bear Cave, b/c no smart phone.
- I skipped Forager, I have another big beer deal in the works, plus didn’t know when I had to get to Forager, etc.
- 30? Jesus. I know the Flippers are pretty much gone, but wow. That is an incredibly short line. The big beer prices could be a factor, also.
Yeah, those bottles weren’t cheap so that could be part of it too. The guys in front of me were buying Lord Humungous while in line then going to the NB Liquor Barrel for their bourbon raffle. That had to be a really expensive day for them.
I'll wait a year or two, and watch as the "Need To Clean Out My Cellar" sales pop up (which is actually the reason for the big beer deal I'm working on). 
Or, most likely, those Foragers and LH will show up at a bottle share. 
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Water Pipes by BlackStack is pretty good if you're an IPA fan. If you aren't, stay away from BlackStack. They make a ton of good IPAs.
Water Pipes by BlackStack is pretty good if you’re an IPA fan. If you aren’t, stay away from BlackStack. They make a ton of good IPAs.
Was just there yesterday (along with Barrel Theory). Water Pipes is indeed a DANK IPA, so not really to my taste. Quality, but too much bitterness for me. I like me some hazies, though.
Note: BT still has a ton of their Nocturnal Empire, a barrel aged stout w/Pistachio, Peanut Butter, Marshmallow, and Cacao. It was on tap and in bottles, had the short pour and bought a bottle. Excellent beer.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
BlackStack is a definite niche brewery in my eyes. They do a good job in their wheelhouse, but I totally get that many people won't like it
BlackStack is a definite niche brewery in my eyes. They do a good job in their wheelhouse, but I totally get that many people won’t like it
Before it burned, the liquor store I was at always got the new BlackStack IPAs in, and we'd crack a can to test it out. More often than not, they were darn good. They rock the hazys, whether it be single, double, or triple. Always smooth.
Yes, when it comes to Barrel Theory or BlackStack, get ready for IPAs or sours. BT does do stouts well, but that is not their focus. Definitely not BlackStack's.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
BlackStack is a definite niche brewery in my eyes. They do a good job in their wheelhouse, but I totally get that many people won’t like it
I don’t know that a primarily IPA and sour brewery can be considered niche.
I will drink IPA but I am much more into lagers and stouts. I think I’ve had a total of 1 or 2 Blackstack beers total as a result
Hit up Ansari's today, met up with a guy for a beer sale. They had Junkyard's Nilla Beast (Imperial Stout) on tap. Holy hannah was that delicious. A decent price, too: 10 oz at $7/pour. They also had Toppling Goliath 2021 Assassin on tap, 4oz for $15 (which is smack dab in the middle of retail/secondary pricing; I have a bottle of that, so I passed), and Forager 2021 Nillerzzzz, 8oz for $14 (IIRC, just checked the menu, and apparently it's tapped out since I was there today, lol).
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Hit up Ansari’s today, met up with a guy for a beer sale. They had Junkyard’s Nilla Beast (Imperial Stout) on tap. Holy hannah was that delicious. A decent price, too: 10 oz at $7/pour. They also had Toppling Goliath 2021 Assassin on tap, 4oz for $15 (which is smack dab in the middle of retail/secondary pricing; I have a bottle of that, so I passed), and Forager 2021 Nillerzzzz, 8oz for $14 (IIRC, just checked the menu, and apparently it’s tapped out since I was there today, lol).
nillerzzz was gone by the time we got there. I nearly got the Nilla Beast but opted for something easier drinking since we’d been out all afternoon in the sun
Hit up Ansari’s today, met up with a guy for a beer sale. They had Junkyard’s Nilla Beast (Imperial Stout) on tap. Holy hannah was that delicious. A decent price, too: 10 oz at $7/pour. They also had Toppling Goliath 2021 Assassin on tap, 4oz for $15 (which is smack dab in the middle of retail/secondary pricing; I have a bottle of that, so I passed), and Forager 2021 Nillerzzzz, 8oz for $14 (IIRC, just checked the menu, and apparently it’s tapped out since I was there today, lol).
nillerzzz was gone by the time we got there. I nearly got the Nilla Beast but opted for something easier drinking since we’d been out all afternoon in the sun
The Nillerzzzz was a narrow window, then, I left at about 3ish. I guess that follows the pattern of the big beers there. Blink, and it could disappear.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Big news here:
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
It's still got to pass the Senate which is a much iffier proposition.
It’s still got to pass the Senate which is a much iffier proposition.
But a similar version already passed the Senate and they are early in the session, there’s plenty of time
It’s still got to pass the Senate which is a much iffier proposition.
But a similar version already passed the Senate and they are early in the session, there’s plenty of time
Have you watched the Minnesota legislature recently?
I'll be happy if it happens but cooperation and common sense from anyone over there is not a common trait.
Bear Cave in Hopkins was closed in the afternoons all week due to staffing issues. Not open at 11:30 am, but open at 4pm. This was after they ran out of food for the weekend on Sat, at about 4/5pm.
What. A. Sh*tshow. I'm laughing at the incompetency. I truly am.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
It’s still got to pass the Senate which is a much iffier proposition.
But a similar version already passed the Senate and they are early in the session, there’s plenty of time
Like I said...
https://twitter.com/TheoKeith/status/1527355315208871936
So following Covid there had been a serious dearth of legit micro-style beers offered near me for quite some time. 3 local taprooms closed and a few spots that typically offered growlers had a difficult time keeping up with production.
Then out of the blue I found that a local Korean bodega began offering 8 varieties from 2 different Korean micro breweries and I finally have a consistent source of some decent beers including an IPA, Double IPA and a Belgian White among them.
Phew!
It’s still got to pass the Senate which is a much iffier proposition.
But a similar version already passed the Senate and they are early in the session, there’s plenty of time
Like I said…
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NEW: #mnleg negotiators have struck a deal on liquor law changes. It allows small breweries and distillers to sell more product at taprooms. At first reading, a House provision allowing growler sales at large brewers isn’t included. https://t.co/LPjayGnoyW — Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) May 19, 2022</p>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In: Town Team Baseball teams can get licenses to sell strong beer In: bars can be open extended hours for World Cup games Out: an industry council that would decide future changes — Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) May 19, 2022</p>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I said it would pass, I didn’t say what would be in it. Leave it to MN to take out the most important stuff for no reason but hey everyone can drink in bars at 5AM every 4 years.
Good news is that the growler clause IS in the bill. Keith screwed up his original tweet.
https://twitter.com/TheoKeith/status/1527363195169452045?t=phPVp3-CG8ZEp9p4ZJkrcA&s=19
It's 50K barrels, though, so I think that would still omit Surly/Schell's/Summit, but would let Castle Danger/Fulton proceed.
The formerly mentioned 3 don't really need that option, IMO. I don't think they are worried about it. The other on-site selling options might be enticing to them, though.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
It’s 50K barrels, though, so I think that would still omit Surly/Schell’s/Summit, but would let Castle Danger/Fulton proceed. The formerly mentioned 3 don’t really need that option, IMO. I don’t think they are worried about it. The other on-site selling options might be enticing to them, though.
the agreed upon bill is 150k, not 50K
It’s 50K barrels, though, so I think that would still omit Surly/Schell’s/Summit, but would let Castle Danger/Fulton proceed. The formerly mentioned 3 don’t really need that option, IMO. I don’t think they are worried about it. The other on-site selling options might be enticing to them, though.
the agreed upon bill is 150k, not 50K
150? Damn!
I still stand by my statement. I think Surly/Summit/Schell's distro swagger is too strong to worry about growlers. That's a lot of pre-filling. None of them would do it "on-demand" like some breweries still do.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
It’s 50K barrels, though, so I think that would still omit Surly/Schell’s/Summit, but would let Castle Danger/Fulton proceed. The formerly mentioned 3 don’t really need that option, IMO. I don’t think they are worried about it. The other on-site selling options might be enticing to them, though.
the agreed upon bill is 150k, not 50K
150? Damn! I still stand by my statement. I think Surly/Summit/Schell’s distro swagger is too strong to worry about growlers. That’s a lot of pre-filling. None of them would do it “on-demand” like some breweries still do.
Maybe not but the fact they can if they want is a good thing. I’m happier about buying smaller packaging direct at breweries.
It’s nice you can buy 750ml spirits now but I kind of like the 375s. We don’t drink a ton of spirits so the smaller bottles are nice
It’s 50K barrels, though, so I think that would still omit Surly/Schell’s/Summit, but would let Castle Danger/Fulton proceed. The formerly mentioned 3 don’t really need that option, IMO. I don’t think they are worried about it. The other on-site selling options might be enticing to them, though.
the agreed upon bill is 150k, not 50K
150? Damn! I still stand by my statement. I think Surly/Summit/Schell’s distro swagger is too strong to worry about growlers. That’s a lot of pre-filling. None of them would do it “on-demand” like some breweries still do.
Maybe not but the fact they can if they want is a good thing. I’m happier about buying smaller packaging direct at breweries. It’s nice you can buy 750ml spirits now but I kind of like the 375s. We don’t drink a ton of spirits so the smaller bottles are nice
The 4pks/6pks? The MN "S" breweries will be all about that.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Schell's has really been pushing for the change to allow for growlers at their taproom. I would imagine they would start doing more smaller batches if they could sell growlers onsite, but that is purely speculation.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
How many places even sell actual “growlers” anymore? The hubby always tries to collect them when we travel and go to breweries - out in Maine and Boston at the FF we struck out everywhere we went.
Can crowlers are pretty much the only option in many places nowadays.
(although it’s not a huge travesty seeing as there are already several hundred growlers on the property). ?
How many places even sell actual “growlers” anymore? The hubby always tries to collect them when we travel and go to breweries – out in Maine and Boston at the FF we struck out everywhere we went.
Can crowlers are pretty much the only option in many places nowadays.
(although it’s not a huge travesty seeing as there are already several hundred growlers on the property). ?
Not too many. Once a brewery is able to invest in canning, it's much easier and economical to do so. Whether it's distro or not, doesn't matter. MUCH less maintenance and man power to do.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Had our annual Bottle Share Day today. Lots of good ribs, and when the first bottle cracked is a Forager Nillerzzzz...yeah, that's a good day.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
LTD Brewing is getting a slushie machine. If one has never had a beer slushie, you're missing out. I think their "sours" (most are sweet/tart) are going to work well with this.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Just learned last night of Bricksworth brewing in Burnsville. Grabbed some pizzas from there for dinner and am having one of their fruit sours. All very good. It is a neat and pretty big space, tucked in a business strip mall type area.
I could almost walk there from my work….
Bricksworth is good.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Stopped in to Waconia Brewing for a flight. The Amber Ale was excellent. Peanut Butter Porter was pretty good, but needs to be taken in small doses.