Medalists for the 2019 American Craft Spirits Awards were announced Monday, February 11, at the annual ACSA Distillers’ Convention & Vendor Trade Show, hosted this year at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. The awards are divided into seven categories—Brandy, Gin, Rum, Specialty Spirits, Vodka & Grain, Whiskey, and Innovation (a new category in 2019, recognizing … [ Read more]
Two Minnesota Distilleries Awarded Best of Class at 2019 American Craft Spirits Awards
February 12, 2019 by
Enter for a chance to win an Icehouse from Clam Outdoors
February 12, 2019 by
For over 30 years Clam Outdoors has stood for the best in outdoor gear. Customers claim the name means dependable, durable, and tough. That’s important, because no one wants to be out in the field or on the ice and have a problem with their gear. Quality is Clam’s top priority, and it’s reflected in … [ Read more]
There’s no tomato juice in our new favorite bloody mary mix
February 1, 2019 by
Special alert for those of you starting Big Game Sunday with a morning cocktail: we have a new favorite bloody mix. Most bloody marys, you’re no doubt aware, are thick mouthfuls of unseasoned tomato sludge that you tolerate just long enough to eat the garnish. That’s why we’re digging Miss Mary’s: it’s a much lighter … [ Read more]
What We’re Drinking: The Great Cheap Beer Debate – February 2019
January 28, 2019 by
Welcome back to What We’re Drinking, wherein The Growler editorial staff look back on recent remarkable beverages. What are you drinking, Growler Nation? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Here at the Growler, we believe there’s a time and place for every drink. Wine, liquor, N/A options, hard seltzer—even macro beers. Sure, we don’t talk about it … [ Read more]
The Great Debate: Should A Craft Distillery Purchase Already-Made Spirits?
January 28, 2019 by
The term “craft” is ambiguous at best. This is especially true when it comes to the world of spirits. With the surge of smaller-scale distilleries taking root in Minnesota and beyond, more attention is being paid to not just the final bottled product but the ingredients used to make it. Several spirits companies purchase neutral … [ Read more]
The Great Debate: Is The 51 Percent Rule Good For Minnesota Wineries And Cideries?
January 28, 2019 by
In Minnesota, cideries and wineries with a farm winery license are required by state law to use enough Minnesota-grown fruit to constitute at least 51 percent of their product. The same goes for cideries and wineries with a wine manufacturer license if they want to sell their product on-site, say, at a taproom. Our question: … [ Read more]
‘We will rebuild’: Portage Brewing Company picking up pieces after catastrophic fire
January 6, 2019 by
[Updated January 9, 2019, 12:06pm] Portage Brewing Company in Walker, Minnesota, announced via Facebook on Sunday, January 6, that a fire had completely destroyed the brewery. The company was alerted to the fire at 6:30am on Sunday morning. Local volunteer firefighters arrived on scene and eventually extinguished the blaze. Though no one was injured in … [ Read more]
What We’re Drinking: January 2019
January 2, 2019 by
Welcome back to What We’re Drinking, wherein The Growler editorial staff look back on recent remarkable beverages. What are you drinking, Growler Nation? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Ellen Burkhardt, Managing Editor Aperitivo Cappelletti Boozy Dr. Pepper. That’s the first impression this Italian liqueur imparts on both the nose and the sip. Of course, the classic … [ Read more]
Growler Giveaway: Sign Up To Win A Prize Package From Number 12 Cider
December 31, 2018 by
The cidery’s story began decades ago when two young boys would spend their summer afternoons stealing apples from their neighborhood trees. Steve Hance and Colin Post, the cidermakers and founders of Number 12 Cider, have come a long way since their adolescent mischief, but, the bond they formed then has turned into a lifelong friendship … [ Read more]
Seven Sparkling Wines to Ring in the New Year
December 28, 2018 by
New Year’s Eve. It’s a time for reflection and reminiscing, celebrating and cheer. The drink that pairs perfectly with all of these things: sparkling wine. We’ve combed our archives from the past year to bring you our top bubblies to help you ring in 2019. They’re fresh, they’re fun, and they’re full of personality—just like … [ Read more]
The Growler’s Holiday Guide 2018
December 19, 2018 by
Seasons greetings, Growler Nation! Before long, our kitchens and living rooms will be filled with raucous nephews and doting aunties, ugly sweaters (deliberate or not), and hopefully, friends and family gathered in the spirit of togetherness. To help kick-start your party planning, we present our Holiday Guide, a quick collection of information designed to make … [ Read more]
Growler Giveaway: Sign Up To Win A Years Supply Of Bottles From 11 Wells Spirits
December 11, 2018 by
Located in the historic Hamm’s Brewery on Minnehaha Avenue in St. Paul, 11 Wells Spirits is a part of the revitalization of the Payne Avenue Corridor. Both Bob McManus and Lee Egbert had separate dreams of opening a distillery. It wasn’t until a common friend connected them that they decided to join forces. They each … [ Read more]
2018 Kind-of-a-Big-Deal Readers’ Choice Award Winners
December 4, 2018 by
Each year, we ask our readers to nominate and vote for the best of the best in Minnesota beer, spirits, food, and arts and culture. This year, a record number of readers cast their ballots to determine the winners of the Kind-of-a-Big-Deal Readers’ Choice Awards. These are the breweries and bars serving up great craft … [ Read more]
What We’re Drinking: December 2018
December 3, 2018 by
Welcome back to What We’re Drinking, wherein The Growler editorial staff look back on recent remarkable beverages. What are you drinking, Growler Nation? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. James Norton, Food Editor ■ Urban Growler Wild Rice Brown Ale Urban Growler’s Wild Rice Brown Ale connects with the mission of its Plow to Pint series by utilizing … [ Read more]
Indeed Brewing to open second brewery and taproom in Milwaukee
November 10, 2018 by
Indeed Brewing is expanding its operations in Wisconsin by building a second brewery and taproom in Milwaukee. The new 10-barrel brewery will be located at 530 South Second Street in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, which co-owner Tom Whisenand says reminds him distinctly of their home hood of Northeast Minneapolis. Whisenand says that, while the project … [ Read more]
