As a few people on GPL know, I will completely agree with Cowgirl here, both of those are on my must-stop list every time I'm in the area.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
2024 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (and variants)
Regular: it's the regular. You know what to expect.
Macaroon: underwhelming. Kinda wish I didn't buy multiple. Ah well.
Vanilla Rye: GIMME GIMME GIMME. You do have to like vanilla, but if you do? Well, you are in for a treat. By far the best.
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.
Me want!!
Mankato Brewing closing. Did NOT see that one coming. 🙁
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 was almost $4MM as of this past August. Don't think Viking has 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.
As far as I know, it is for sale, but the people I know, I haven't heard anything going foward.
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 think the one owner bought out the other owner and maybe his kid will eventually be taking over? (I don’t remember names).
Again, @viking knows way more.
Well I guess I'm not surprised about MB, it just kind of rolled into obscurity in recent years and I'm not even sure if that is the best way to describe what has happened. I've never been a fan of their beers other than some of the very few stout, porter, or dark beers they tried over the years. Their building had no atmosphere, it made me feel like I was drinking a beer in the middle of an ethanol plant. The asking price I suppose would be on par for the building, infrastructure, and blue sky for an established brewery.
It's too bad for the Mankato landscape to lose a business first and foremost but at least another brewery to give people options. I am a bigger fan of Locale Brewery here in Mankato but MB started here first so I wanted them to make the sale and have someone continue and maybe improve what was there.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I've got a couple of old bottles (sealed) of surly darkness (2018-2021ish) that I've been saving for a national championship.
Are these worth anything? I've realized that i don't actually like darkness that much, would rather get them in the hands of someone that would appreciate them.
I also have a few bottles left of Northgate special releases - I was an investor there before they shut down (falling knife is in their old space now).
I've got a couple of old bottles (sealed) of surly darkness (2018-2021ish) that I've been saving for a national championship.
Are these worth anything? I've realized that i don't actually like darkness that much, would rather get them in the hands of someone that would appreciate them.
I also have a few bottles left of Northgate special releases - I was an investor there before they shut down (falling knife is in their old space now).
Can hardly give Darkness away. The secondary beer market is deader than Rickey Henderson. Too soon? 😉
And no one really wanted Northgate when they were open, hence them not being around anymore.
Schell's Cave Aged is out in stores this week. Always a good beer, looking forward to tasting this year'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.
Met up with Viking and WPoS tonight at Back Channel Brewing, who was releasing twelve (TWELVE!) different barrel-aged stouts. If you reserved the set of 12, you got your choice of a 4-taster flight of your choice for free. Heavy hitters (all but one were 14%-15% ABV).
Everyone agreed: DELICIOUS.
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 was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
The bubble has definitely burst with Minnesota craft brewing. Mankato Brewery is closing tomorrow night. I wasn't a big fan of their beer but they had their fans. In their case it was the owner wanted to retire and couldn't find someone to buy the brewery and continue it. The beer was better than their venue which I believe didn't help find a new owner.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
The bubble has definitely burst with Minnesota craft brewing. Mankato Brewery is closing tomorrow night. I wasn't a big fan of their beer but they had their fans. In their case it was the owner wanted to retire and couldn't find someone to buy the brewery and continue it. The beer was better than their venue which I believe didn't help find a new owner.
yep. At least 3 have closed in the Sioux Falls area in the past 6 months
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
The closings aren't real surprising. Alcohol consumption is reportedly dropping nationwide. Every time I open a newspaper there's another story about the ill effects of drinking. For 30 years they told us people who drink in moderation (a few drinks per week) live longer than total abstainers. Now the line is if you have a thimble of wine at communion, you might as well head to the undertaker.
I've got a couple of old bottles (sealed) of surly darkness (2018-2021ish) that I've been saving for a national championship.
Are these worth anything? I've realized that i don't actually like darkness that much, would rather get them in the hands of someone that would appreciate them.
I also have a few bottles left of Northgate special releases - I was an investor there before they shut down (falling knife is in their old space now).
I have no idea what they're worth, but I'm very interested if you can hold onto them until May when I come back for a visit. I haven't had a Darkness since before 2014.
The closings aren't real surprising. Alcohol consumption is reportedly dropping nationwide. Every time I open a newspaper there's another story about the ill effects of drinking. For 30 years they told us people who drink in moderation (a few drinks per week) live longer than total abstainers. Now the line is if you have a thimble of wine at communion, you might as well head to the undertaker.
If this lady can do it, so can I!
“What’s my secret to a long life? Drink all the booze you can drink,” Ryan said.
The closings aren't real surprising. Alcohol consumption is reportedly dropping nationwide. Every time I open a newspaper there's another story about the ill effects of drinking. For 30 years they told us people who drink in moderation (a few drinks per week) live longer than total abstainers. Now the line is if you have a thimble of wine at communion, you might as well head to the undertaker.
It is dropping. Business is down across the industry.
As for breweries, it's just over-saturation. So, you either have to have some ZOMG AWESOME beer, or be the only game in your neighborhood/town.
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.
The closings aren't real surprising. Alcohol consumption is reportedly dropping nationwide. Every time I open a newspaper there's another story about the ill effects of drinking. For 30 years they told us people who drink in moderation (a few drinks per week) live longer than total abstainers. Now the line is if you have a thimble of wine at communion, you might as well head to the undertaker.
It is dropping. Business is down across the industry.
As for breweries, it's just over-saturation. So, you either have to have some ZOMG AWESOME beer, or be the only game in your neighborhood/town.
Or you could branch out into making THC drinks, it’s just a soft drink with an expensive emulsion in it.
IIRC, one cannot serve a THC and a beer on the same order, as for breweries. Now, that is completely unenforceable, because if a couple comes in and one wants a THC and the other wants a beer...but the state has to have it in writing.
Also, the licensing for selling THC is an added expense. High risk, high reward, no pun intended. Plus, it's expected that once dispensaries start opening up here, the price (and profit margin) of THC drinks will drop.
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've got a couple of old bottles (sealed) of surly darkness (2018-2021ish) that I've been saving for a national championship.
Are these worth anything? I've realized that i don't actually like darkness that much, would rather get them in the hands of someone that would appreciate them.
I also have a few bottles left of Northgate special releases - I was an investor there before they shut down (falling knife is in their old space now).
I have no idea what they're worth, but I'm very interested if you can hold onto them until May when I come back for a visit. I haven't had a Darkness since before 2014.
As the kids would say, lmk k bye!!
Tried the Equilibrium/Black Stack collab Hazy IPA today...dang that is smooth. Equilibrium also dropped their basic price point from about $30/4pk to $21ish/4 pk. That helps.
Anything from those two breweries is solid, at the least, by the way. One can buy something "blind" and can count on being happy with the purchase.
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.
“Fat squirrel “ by New Glarus. My beer menu is very short and simple but really liked this for something different.
Everyone raves about New Glarus Spotted Cow. Castle Danger is better. 😉
On the MI trips I take, obv through WI, we look for the New Glarus fruit beers. Found a couple honey holes, to use the slang, those are the real treasures of that brewery.
No, I'm not saying where those places are. Pffft, not giving up my secrets. 
Hint: It's not Casanova's in Hudson. To tell the truth, never been there.
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.
Spotted Cow is so grossly overrated I can barely stand it. 🤣
I've shared this with @viking and WPoS (and his wife) over a bonfire... Like most things in life, beer can be a sheeple thing as well. People drink certain beers because of the name or others are drinking it. If you line several beer (same styles) and had a blind taste test. The beer they cave probably wouldn't win. Or you can tell them it's a certain brand of beer, even though its not and they'll like it. It just goes to show I don't trust fan boys... lol!!!
It's like @slap-shot saying Spotted Cow is overrated. We both agree... And there are people who love it, but in the same breath there are people who drink it, cause it's "Spotted Cow" and want to follow the herd (no pun intended). Same with Viking and WPoS... they both like KBC Widow Maker (black ale) over their Lift Bridge (brown ale). I like the brown more... and there are many people who drink the black cause they follow certain people... lol!!!
Just my Friday morning 1st world problem Friday morning rant... 😉
Keep your stick on the ice...
Part of it is the novelty of it cause we can't get it here.Spotted Cow is so grossly overrated I can barely stand it. 🤣
“Fat squirrel “ by New Glarus. My beer menu is very short and simple but really liked this for something different.
If you like Brown Ales try Oliphant’s. We won a bronze at GABF for it.
“Fat squirrel “ by New Glarus. My beer menu is very short and simple but really liked this for something different.
If you like Brown Ales try Oliphant’s. We won a bronze at GABF for it.
I’m gonna look into that one, the “blizzard of 91” is definitely a must to honor that day duck hunting with my dad.
Delirium Tremens in a can is apparently a thing, now...
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Okay.....sure.
That's an OG high quality beer for sure, but it's a "thing" now? Why? Specifically, why NOW?
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.