10 Bars for 2020

At this point, we could all use a stiff drink. To say that the bar scene in the Twin Cities has changed dramatically in 2020 would be a gross understatement. Several of our favorite bars have shut their doors permanently (RIP Marvel Bar), while others are staying closed by choice, with owners feeling trepidatious about … [ Read more]

The Beer List: Don’t Call It A Session! Welcome to a new wave of craft light lager

A new wave of craft light lager is proving you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when turning down the ABV. Our editors discuss their favorites. John Garland, Deputy Editor: Of all the terrible buzzwords that became popular during the initial craft beer boom, I think “session” beer had to be my least favorite. It reeked … [ Read more]

What We’re Drinking: August 2020

FINNEGANS Keeper Keller Pils John Garland, Deputy Editor I’ve spent nearly all of my beer money this summer at FINNEGANS. The brewery directs all of its profits to fighting food insecurity (and is nearing the milestone of $2 million donated) but is now facing financial difficulty due to the pandemic (they were unable to open … [ Read more]

The Growler’s 2020 Outdoor Guide: Biking Edition

I’ve found considerable solace in simple pleasures lately, and pedaling a bicycle is one of the purest of them all. Perhaps whirring along on two wheels can bring you some contentment, or even jubilance, this summer too. Enjoy this Outdoor Guide: Biking Edition

Community Voices: Reflections and Commentary After George Floyd

Local food and drink industry members of color share their experiences, reflections, and commentaries on what still needs to happen in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.  Jametta Raspberry Owner and chef at House of Gristle The morning of the fires I had found myself being pulled towards the 3rd precinct. I didn’t have a … [ Read more]

Culture Club: A Month of Introspection and Self-Education on Racial Justice

Welcome to The Growler’s Culture Club, where the editors share the best of what they’ve been listening to, reading, and watching.  Over the past few weeks, each of us at The Growler has been working to better educate ourselves about the issue of systemic racism, thinking critically and deeply on our roles in the fight … [ Read more]

What We’re Drinking: July 2020

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. Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble John Garland, Deputy Editor When I’m looking for a great cheap bottle of red wine, my first inclination is to scan the Spain … [ Read more]

Standing in Solidarity for Lasting Justice: A message from Gray Duck Media on the killing of George Floyd

  As people gather today to mourn the killing of George Floyd and celebrate his life, Gray Duck Media, the parent company of The Growler Magazine and The Beer Dabbler, stands in solidarity with our local community in demanding justice for Mr. Floyd and lasting changes to the systems that have allowed such injustices to … [ Read more]

Introducing ‘Operation: Take-Out,’ The Growler’s new weekly take-out meal program to support local restaurants

Operation: Take-Out is a new partnership between The Growler and Minnesota’s restaurant community. Each week we will feature specially designed take-out dinner packages including a delicious complete meal for two, an ideal beer, wine and/or cider pairing, tasting notes, and more. Best of all, every package sold helps Minnesota’s restaurants and helps keep The Growler Magazine afloat.

Culture Club: When in doubt, go British

Welcome to The Growler’s Culture Club, where the editors share the best of what they’ve been listening to, reading, and watching.  James Norton, Food Editor “Giri / Haji” No television show about a bloody international Yakuza war has any right to be this funny, this beautifully shot, and this stirringly human, but there you have … [ Read more]

Announcing Four New Projects: An update from Matt Kenevan, owner and founder of The Growler and Gray Duck Media

  To all supporters of The Growler Magazine and Gray Duck Media: Back in March, I announced that our business was going dark for 30 days. It was a few more than that, but our company has received PPP funding and, today, I write to tell you we have started our fight to survive.  To … [ Read more]

Introducing The Growler’s Culture Club

Welcome to The Growler’s Culture Club, where the editors share the best of what they’ve been listening to, reading, and watching.  It seems fitting that we should kick off Culture Club in quarantine, where we’ve been consuming an unprecedented amount of entertainment to keep us within reach of sanity. While not everything we’ve taken in … [ Read more]

The Growler’s Tourism Guide 2020

Whether you regard the prospect of long stretches in the car with cautious enthusiasm or deep dread, the road trip has been a near-ubiquitous American experience for right around a century. Here at Growler HQ, we tend toward enthusiasm when it comes to road trips and hope to share a little bit of this excitement … [ Read more]

The Power of Kveik Compels You: Twin Cities breweries have deployed a Norwegian super-yeast in several new releases

John Garland, Deputy Editor: I’ll admit, even though we’ve already run a story on this yeast, I’m not 100% sold on why it’s so special. Brian, give me the elevator pitch. *terrible Seinfeld voice* What’s the deal with kveik? Brian Kaufenberg, Editor-In-Chief: Kveik is an old family of yeast that had quietly been used in … [ Read more]

What We’re Drinking: April 2020

  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. Keepsake Wild Medium Cider Brian Kaufenberg, Editor-in-Chief Considering some of the mass-marketed ciders out there, you might shudder at the idea of a “sweet cider,” but Keepsake’s Wild … [ Read more]