Every tractor has a story.” Al Deiss smiles a bit under his salt-and-pepper mustache and puts his hands in his pockets as he tries to find the words to describe the tractor culture he’s spent decades preserving. “Ask about someone’s tractor, and you’re going to learn more than you ever expected to,” he says. He … [ Read more]
‘Every Tractor Has a Story’: Al Deiss is on a mission to restore heirloom tractors to their former glory
August 29, 2019 by
Craft Culture: Heritage Wooden Looms and Toys at BEKA, Inc.
July 2, 2019 by
If you live long enough, you’ll see that what goes around comes around,” says Jamie Kreisman, co-founder and president of BEKA Wood Products on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. On a recently gentrified street lined with residential homes and storefronts, the spot doesn’t look like much from the outside—just a plain brick facade with green … [ Read more]
Brewer Profile: Dane Breimhorst of Burning Brothers Brewing
April 30, 2018 by
From the corner of Thomas Avenue and Wheeler Street, St. Paul’s Burning Brothers Brewing doesn’t look like a mecca for gluten-free beer drinkers across the region, but the “Gluten-Free Facility” sign hanging from the door tells me I’ve come to the right place. Inside, I find co-owner and brewer Dane Breimhorst and his team casually … [ Read more]
Season’s Eatings: The science behind seasonal cravings
January 31, 2018 by
Ever done a happy dance in front of a shelf of Oktoberfest or crate of Honeycrisp apples in fall? Or sighed with glee as you’ve sunk your teeth into fresh, buttery corn on the cob in the summer? We’ve talked to a few Midwest food scientists to get to the bottom of what’s behind our … [ Read more]
Brewer Profile: Ryan Mihm of FINNEGANS Brew Co.
October 31, 2017 by
With a flecked beard, an easy-going smile, and a plaid shirt that’s more of a uniform than accessory, Ryan Mihm looks like he’d be just as comfortable cutting logs as slinging kegs. He’s been brewing professionally for almost a decade at Maine’s Allagash Brewing Company, New Belgium in Colorado, and most recently, Insight. Now he’s … [ Read more]
Time-Speed-Distance Rallies: A different kind of car race
October 18, 2017 by
It was a 2009 “Cash for Clunkers” trade-in—an old, Dodge Caravan for a brand new, sporty Mini Cooper—that brought Clarence Westberg back to an old love. Rallying, his sport of choice, takes place on scenic backroads, behind the wheel of a car. Unlike in other motorsports though, when you get down to it, the Caravan … [ Read more]
Buzzed Beer: How brewers fuse beer with coffee, plus seven java brews to try
September 27, 2017 by
Cortado. Americano. Iced caramel latte, sugar-free, no whip. The options are endless—almost amusingly so—for ordering a cup of morning joe these days. As for coffee-infused beers, the options are just as plentiful, with most breweries serving up at least one French-press-meets-fermenter concoction. Whether adding grounds, dumping cold press into the fermenter, or adding brewed coffee … [ Read more]
30 Years in the Brew City: Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery celebrates craft brewing milestone
August 15, 2017 by
As a Milwaukee girl, beer runs deep in my family. And there was one name that almost always made the list of beverages in the cooler for a weekend away: Lakefront. Bottles of Fixed Gear, Riverwest Stein, and Hop Jockey Double IPA would chill next to the signature green eyeball on a neighboring bottle of … [ Read more]
Vehicle for Change: Three nonprofits are using bikes to build community
July 25, 2017 by
Jump on a bike, and you can go just about anywhere. Bikes are an inexpensive, fun, and active form of transportation—and there are a lot of them in the world. And there’s one more key element, according to Randy Treichel, enterprise director of Express Bike Shop on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. “Bikes are, by … [ Read more]
Now Open (Or Damn Close): The Dampfwerk Distillery Company
July 11, 2017 by
Dampf-werk. Say it. It’s fun. And if you’re curious, that’s “steam works” in German. It’s also the name of a new distillery nestled behind a garage door in St. Louis Park. The Dampfwerk Distillery Company is owned and operated by the Loeffelholz family and—just like its owners—has a bit of dual citizenship. On the one … [ Read more]
Flavor Faves: The science behind our favorite food pairings
June 26, 2017 by
Peruse the menu at any upscale eatery, and you expect to see suggested wines or beers listed alongside the house specialties. Some restaurants cut right to the chase, pouring specially selected pinots and ports with tasting courses. We’re often grateful for the direction and trust the flavor profiles will work together instead of fighting for … [ Read more]
How to drink in the woods: Pro tips to elevate your beverage experience in the backcountry
April 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment
We’re approaching that glorious time of year when we shed what’s left of our winter layers and head north in search of fresh air and open spaces. What’s an adventure trip without some delicious drinks to enjoy after those long, summer days? We talked to some Duluth-based experts who shared their recommendations on the best … [ Read more]
Gotta catch ’em small: Growing “micro-fishing” trend has Twin Cities roots
April 25, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Aaron Bye is a Stillwater-based home inspector who built his business around an extreme attention to detail. He found a fitting hobby, almost by accident, and coined the term “micro-fishing” on a 2009 trip when the fishing was slow. “We were goofing around catching emerald shiners, and realized it was a ton of fun,” says … [ Read more]
Craft Culture: On the cutting edge with Eversharp
March 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
One might think the center of the Twin Cities culinary scene is anchored firmly on Nicollet Avenue or one of its downtown counterparts. But there’s a brick storefront with a simple red awning and a single glass door—nestled between industrial buildings in Northeast Minneapolis—that might rival any restaurant for its impact on local eats. Eversharp … [ Read more]
Kernz-huh? Could the perennial promise of Kernza benefit food, beer, and the world?
February 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
There’s a new-ish crop that’s been sprouting hopeful conversation in recent years. Kernza is the name given by Kansas-based The Land Institute to a specific germ line of perennial wheatgrass. Like a long-lost, wild cousin of traditional, annual wheat, it has the potential to help the environment and increase food production in incredible ways. It’s … [ Read more]
