As for drinking, breweries closing (which I believe there are more reasons) and so on…Alcohol drinking hit a 90 year low in the most recent Gallup poll.
@zwak I’ve had beer from a lot of those, but been to:
Barrio Brewing
Revolution Brewing
Toppling Goliath
Forager
La Cumbre
Wicked Weed
Drekker
Like a lot of y’all, I’ve had a beer from a lot, maybe most, but I’ve been to 6, going to the 7th next weekend:
AK, CA, IA, MN, NY, WI. CO next weekend!
Like a lot of y’all, I’ve had a beer from a lot, maybe most, but I’ve been to 6, going to the 7th next weekend:
AK, CA, IA, MN, NY, WI. CO next weekend!
CO?
If you have an opportunity to try it, Laughing Lab Scottish Ale from Bristol Brewing is absolutely phenomenal.
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.
Like a lot of y’all, I’ve had a beer from a lot, maybe most, but I’ve been to 6, going to the 7th next weekend:
AK, CA, IA, MN, NY, WI. CO next weekend!
CO?
If you have an opportunity to try it, Laughing Lab Scottish Ale from Bristol Brewing is absolutely phenomenal.
We moved back from Singapore to the Denver area- closer to Boulder. We were just down in Colorado Springs last weekend, but didn’t make it to that brewery. We are going up to Greeley next weekend and will check out WeldWerks.
Like a lot of y’all, I’ve had a beer from a lot, maybe most, but I’ve been to 6, going to the 7th next weekend:
AK, CA, IA, MN, NY, WI. CO next weekend!
CO?
If you have an opportunity to try it, Laughing Lab Scottish Ale from Bristol Brewing is absolutely phenomenal.
We moved back from Singapore to the Denver area- closer to Boulder. We were just down in Colorado Springs last weekend, but didn’t make it to that brewery. We are going up to Greeley next weekend and will check out WeldWerks.
IIRC, Bristol does distro, so check stores. Weldwerks is also VERY good. Juicy Bits (and the variants) are their flagship beers.
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.
WeldWerks is my favorite brewery of all time. I go to Colorado (Estes Park) 1-2 times per year and we ALWAYS go out of our way to go to WeldWerks.
They are really versatile and have EXCELLENT sours that are really well balanced.
Greeley is Greeley, but WeldWerks is awesome. I mule a large amount of WeldWerks home every year.
Wiley Roots nearby is also pretty good, so if you're in the area it's worth going to both, but a clear second to WeldWerks in my mind.
I've been to
California (Russian River)
Illinois (Revolution)
Iowa (Toppling Goliath)
Minnesota (Forager)
North Carolina (Wicked Weed)
Of those, the only one I would honestly go out of my way to go back to was Russian River. There are a few in other states as well, but they didn't make the list.
And again America will fall for Budweiser's Super Bowl ad about "AMERICA" when it's owned by a Belgian company. 
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 been to probably 7-8 of them, and for probably half, I question the selection....but to each their own. It's all so subjective.
(New Glarus? Um...no. Just no.)
I've been to probably 7-8 of them, and for probably half, I question the selection....but to each their own. It's all so subjective.
(New Glarus? Um...no. Just no.)
NG's fruit beers are outSTANDING. Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Apple/Cranberry/Cherry combo...friends and I hunt those down every time we cross the border.
v
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.
Yay! The store I side-hustle at finally got their new store pick in. Rye whiskey from Little Round Still in Wadena MN. It's HAZMAT, too (over 140 proof, 141.7 IIRC, see: TSA rules 
) I have sampled it from the intro bottle we got), does NOT taste that strong at all, tastes about a 115-120 proof. I shall be buying a bottle or two, depending on price.
Who'da thunk someplace in Wadena would make good whiskey? /p>
Edit: $80/bottle. A little higher than expected, but still a decent price for that quality, we got 118 bottles out of the yield.
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.
In reference to the above post, we are down to 60ish bottles in 3 days. Yep.
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 worst kept secret is now official:
Dangerous Man is taking over the Headflyer taproom space in Mpls. Spring opening, per their post.
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.
Hey, coming out as a tourist for broomball nationals. Planning on arriving Tuesday of that week, peel on down to rochester Tuesday evening, decorah and back to Rochester wednesday, sweep out to August schell and bobbing bobber brewing on Thursday and back into Minneapolis that evening. Splitting time between breweries and helping out in case somebody breaks a spleen and has to be taken to urgent care.
Not a lot of time to dally otherwise i'd try to bring some beers from the local area (wash dc/nova)
Im still figuring out my stops in MPLS but I think that'll also be spur the moment. I know theres some must stops and dangerous man might reopen by then.
So...what do you think is happening?
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I put out a feeler in the beer group I'm in (it's not exactly a main beer group, it's a subset of a subset). Hopefully someone(s) have heard something.
Tried the Pryes El Camino (Hazelnut Macaron Pastry Stout). They are quietly producing bangers. This particular one is pure fire.
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.
My favorite beer
Aloha!
My favorite beer goes on sale this Saturday, and thankfully I have a mule. Perrin No Rules.
NO word on the Hoops. Either no one knows anything, or no one is saying anything.
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.
Hoops just posted on their social media that they have found a way to keep brewing beer...more to come soon.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
Guessing either contract brewing, or distro only (like Dangerous Man WAS doing).
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.
Wait... rocket fuel cider? Was that from two years ago?Slip it in cider. 😂
A few of you here do have some brewing to do for a certain fall event next year….🤔
Can’t be any worse than the rocket fuel cider from a few years back, eh @armadillo? 😉
ROCKET FUEL APPLE ClDER?
DAMN!
That is a bummer. I will miss their Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter. Lots of similar ones out there, I know, but that one I liked best. I haven't had it in quite some time as the liquor stores around me in Chanhassen, not far from Waconia, didn't carry anything from Waconia Brewing and said they couldn't get just that one without a bigger order that wouldn't sell.
I am sure the beer industry has been hit hard... I know I am drinking much less than I used to and making different choices in the beers I do buy.
I cannot remember the last time I bought a 4-pack of 16 oz cans. Now that most of the 4 packs are a minimum $16 purchase with most getting close to $20 or more after taxes and fees (looking at Blackstack, Back Channel, Barrel Theory, Drekker, etc.), I just can't do $5+ beers at home without feeling guilty about it. I have shifted to the 12 packs that are $20 to $24; Surly has one, Summit, Castle Danger, and also Stone, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, etc. $2 beers I can do.
The places that have no/limited distribution have to be feeling it the worst. Most of my beer drinking friends aren't going to breweries or brew pubs at near the pace they were a few years ago. For a variety of reasons. One of the main ones being that the beers went from $6-$8 to $8-$10+, and now there are credit card fees, staff benefit fees, additional taxes, etc. Just going with my wife to get 2 beers and a tub of pretzels at Back Channel is almost $30 now. Two $8/$9 beers, a $4 tub of pretzels, taxes/fees and tip... it just doesn't take much to get there any more. I know ingredient costs have gone up along with labor costs. I think the increased labor costs on the hospitality industry are going to continue to be felt, and I am guessing there are more closures coming. Just a guess.
Ah damn. Just saw this. Yeah, their CPBP was one of the best i've had. 🙁
My absolute favorite beer released today: Perrin Bourbon Barrel Aged Vietnamese Porter. $40-$50 per 4pk of 12oz, original and variants. Out of Michigan, THEY ALLOW PROXIES (that's the important part). I cannot recommend this beer enough. Yes, I have a mule. (Note: they get "thank you stouts" in return for their service. Good stouts.
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.
Well.....Surly BA Darkness was supposed to be brewery only this year, according to my manager, per the info he got from his rep. It didn't sell as well as Surly had hoped (I have opinions on that aspect, which I will keep private, but one can prob ascertain my thoughts). So it did hit stores this week.
Again, they switched back to bottles, smart move. Haven't had it YET, but I know it's rather limited compared to the past couple of years.
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.
Well.....Surly BA Darkness was supposed to be brewery only this year, according to my manager, per the info he got from his rep. It didn't sell as well as Surly had hoped (I have opinions on that aspect, which I will keep private, but one can prob ascertain my thoughts). So it did hit stores this week.
Again, they switched back to bottles, smart move. Haven't had it YET, but I know it's rather limited compared to the past couple of years.
Surly lost me when they went to cans for special releases. that and really no innovation since Todd left. They make good stuff, but they've been passed by. Falling Knife blows them out of the water.
Surly Darkness is the only beer I buy from them. Surly doesn't know how to make a "not"-hop-heavy beer, whatever style.
I will say comparing them to Falling Knife is apples/oranges. I'd compare Falling Knife to places like Lupulin, Modist, Blackstack, even Back Channel. Maybe toss in Drastic Measures. Hazy-based breweries, that dabble in other things.
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.
Falling Knife is in the same category as Barrel Theory and Forager. Their breadth is absolutely astonishing and I've never had a bad beer from them.
They make the best barleywines I've ever had. Their stouts are on par with everything out of Forager except for maybe their highest, highest end brews. But they're not far behind those either.
A former Waconia Brewing employee stopped in my store today, and apparently, a new brewery is going in there. She said their goal was June, but in reality it's most likely July.
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 haven’t had a drink in over a year, but Rebel Lobster being one of the food trucks might be the worth the drive.
I haven’t had a drink in over a year, but Rebel Lobster being one of the food trucks might be the worth the drive.
They do have N/As there, as well as free root beer (made with sugar cane) while it lasts. I will be pouring inside from start to finish, as I have been for the last few years.
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 just realized I’ll be driving my wife, my 3 kids and my mother-in-law to Washington DC for a week. We’ll be leaving June 6th.
Aw, dang. For anyone else on here, stop on by to LTD's shindig, you can insult me however you want, and make me pour you a beer, and I have to laugh and take it! 😉I just realized I’ll be driving my wife, my 3 kids and my mother-in-law to Washington DC for a week. We’ll be leaving June 6th.
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.
Im washington dc based so I can give the run down. I keep checking in in case there's new beer news.
Im flying into msp on Tuesday, Rochester, wednesday decorah. Thursday schells and bobbing bobber and then back to Minneapolis for intown breweries and the first class A sessions for broomball nationals then bouncing bouncing between the rink and breweries as my curiosity permits friday Saturday sunday
If you can Uber to St Paul, Dual Citizen/Blackstack/Barrel Theory are all really close to each other. North Loop (aka pretty much NE Mpls, the good part, has changed so much, I don't even know where to start.
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.
If you can Uber to St Paul, Dual Citizen/Blackstack/Barrel Theory are all really close to each other. North Loop (aka pretty much NE Mpls, the good part, has changed so much, I don't even know where to start.
Dual Citizen and Blackstack are fairly close to each other (1.4 miles per Google Maps), but the last I knew, Barrel Theory was downtown, which is 6 miles from Blackstack (Surly is closer than Barrel Theory). Granted, you can take the Green Line to downtown, which will get you to within 1/2 mile from Barrel Theory, but to claim Barrel Theory is really close to either Dual Citizen or Blackstack is a stretch.
BTW, Lake Monster is about 1/2 way between Dual Citizen and Blackstack. You also have Urban Growler and Bang Brewing within 1 mile of Dual Citizen/Lake Monster/Blackstack.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
If you can Uber to St Paul, Dual Citizen/Blackstack/Barrel Theory are all really close to each other. North Loop (aka pretty much NE Mpls, the good part, has changed so much, I don't even know where to start.
Dual Citizen and Blackstack are fairly close to each other (1.4 miles per Google Maps), but the last I knew, Barrel Theory was downtown, which is 6 miles from Blackstack (Surly is closer than Barrel Theory). Granted, you can take the Green Line to downtown, which will get you to within 1/2 mile from Barrel Theory, but to claim Barrel Theory is really close to either Dual Citizen or Blackstack is a stretch.
BTW, Lake Monster is about 1/2 way between Dual Citizen and Blackstack. You also have Urban Growler and Bang Brewing within 1 mile of Dual Citizen/Lake Monster/Blackstack.
Ah. As for Lake Monster, Urban, and Bang, I wouldn't recommend any of those.
Got not-lazy and googled: Inbound/Fulton/Modist in North Loop....those are good ones.
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.
If you can Uber to St Paul, Dual Citizen/Blackstack/Barrel Theory are all really close to each other. North Loop (aka pretty much NE Mpls, the good part, has changed so much, I don't even know where to start.
Dual Citizen and Blackstack are fairly close to each other (1.4 miles per Google Maps), but the last I knew, Barrel Theory was downtown, which is 6 miles from Blackstack (Surly is closer than Barrel Theory). Granted, you can take the Green Line to downtown, which will get you to within 1/2 mile from Barrel Theory, but to claim Barrel Theory is really close to either Dual Citizen or Blackstack is a stretch.
BTW, Lake Monster is about 1/2 way between Dual Citizen and Blackstack. You also have Urban Growler and Bang Brewing within 1 mile of Dual Citizen/Lake Monster/Blackstack.
Ah. As for Lake Monster, Urban, and Bang, I wouldn't recommend any of those.
Got not-lazy and googled: Inbound/Fulton/Modist in North Loop....those are good ones.
I wasn't necessarily recommending any of them (although I like Urban Growler and Lake Monster), just pointing out that, if someone was going to take in either Dual Citizen or Blackstack, there are numerous options in the Prospect Park/St. Anthony Park area that are infinitely closer than making the trek downtown to Barrel Theory.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Working at the store today had 2 customers that kinda stood out, we do have some regulars where we don't blink an eye at their purchases.
Customer 1: Yeah, just getting into mezcal, thought I'd try this to see if I like it... [it was a $125 bottle]
Customer 2: Looking for a gift for a friend, bourbon. [most common question we get]
Me: What's your budget?
C2: A couple hundred bucks.
Me (internally) ok WTF, I want to be your friend!
FTR, he bought a hard to find $125 bottle
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.
Angry Chair Brewing (FLA) is up for sale. Anyone have $3 million bucks laying around?
I hope they continue, they make really good 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.
Bummer. Loved their Puffs sours.
Forgot this:
Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing to Firestone Walker Brewing. Should not be much difference, just consolidating CA footprint.
And as of April 2026, Brown-Forman, the parent company of Jack Daniel’s, is in active takeover talks, with the owning Brown family favoring a deal with French spirits giant Pernod Ricard over a $15 billion cash bid from Sazerac.
This is HUGE.
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.
Bauhaus Brew Labs closing at end of June after Art-a-Whirl
Forgot this:
Sapporo is selling Stone Brewing to Firestone Walker Brewing. Should not be much difference, just consolidating CA footprint.
And as of April 2026, Brown-Forman, the parent company of Jack Daniel’s, is in active takeover talks, with the owning Brown family favoring a deal with French spirits giant Pernod Ricard over a $15 billion cash bid from Sazerac.
This is HUGE.
I should update this. Pernod Ricard withdrew from negotiations, and Brown-Forman ultimately rejected Sazerac's bid.
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.
Pabst discontinues Schlitz after 177 years.
I honestly didn't even know they still made it.
The old joke was, that's the sound you made after a night of drinking 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.