Target Field // Photo via the Minnesota Ballpark Authority
Though winter apparently will never end, time still moves on. Case in point: the Twins home opener is this Thursday, with a forecasted high of 36 degrees. There’s definite potential to set a record for lowest game day temp, which is currently sitting at 31 degrees in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014.
That being said, we’re here to help you plan your visit to Target Field. If you’ll be braving the cold at Thursday’s game, it’ll be more important than ever to know where you can find the food you’re looking for and, perhaps most importantly, the beer. Without further ado, here is a quick rundown of where and what you can find for Minnesota craft beers around the stadium.
In sections 116, 125, and 320 is Minnesota Brews, both of which you can find beer in cans and on draft. Fans can stock up on EPA and Maibock from Summit, Farm Girl Saison from Lift Bridge, good ol’ Premium and Nordeast from Grain Belt, as well as beers from Schell’s, FINNEGANS, Fulton, and more.
Other concession stands and portable booths selling craft beer—both Minnesotan and beyond—include those in sections 34, 110, 115, 119, 125, 126, 128, 223, and 305.
In addition to concession stands and portable booths, there are a slew of restaurants and bars serving up local craft beer. New this year is Bat & Barrel, located in the former Metropolitan Club at gate 34. The menu will offer items from an array of local restaurants including Murray’s, Red Rabbit, Kramarczuk’s, and Hell’s Kitchen. Better yet, there will be a self-pour beer wall with 22 beers on tap, including Surly’s limited-edition “Cut Down IPA,” brewed in collaboration with former Twins pitcher Glen Perkins.
Whether you’re staying warm or cooling off (granted this winter should cease eventually), no doubt that Target Field is well-stocked with Minnesota craft beers to kick your game day into full gear.
Drink
The exterior of Green Flash Brewing Company’s Virginia Beach location // Photo courtesy Green Flash Brewing Company – Virginia Beach Facebook
After closing its Virginia Beach brewery at the end of March and announcing it would close its Cellar 3 location in San Diego due to financial woes, Green Flash Brewing‘s CEO Mike Hinkley announced Tuesday that the company’s “senior lender, Comerica Bank, has foreclosed on its loans and sold the assets of the Company (other than the Virginia Beach brewery) to WC IPA LLC through a foreclosure sale which closed on March 30, 2018. As such, the Company no longer owns the Green Flash and Alpine businesses. Comerica Bank is currently conducting a separate process to sell the Virginia Beach brewery.” According to a press release, Green Flash and Alpine Brewing will continue to operate in San Diego and Alpine, respectively. Meanwhile, the Green Flash Brewhouse & Eatery in Lincoln, Nebraska, will open as scheduled in April, and will brew specialty beers serving the state of Nebraska.
For the first time in its history, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild released a code of conduct that each member must sign before renewing their membership. There are three main clauses to the contract, with the first and most in-depth regarding the issue of harassment and discrimination. There’s also a new policy on the consumption of alcohol at MCBG events, requiring members to “promote and model responsible drinking at all times.” This advancement for the advocacy group, comprised of brewers, brewery owners, and industry professionals from all across the state, comes in light of mounting concerns over accusations of harassment and discrimination within the industry.
Flying Dutchman Spirits of Eden Prairie was awarded silver medals for two of its products by the American Distilling Institute at its 2018 Judging of Craft Spirits competition in Portland, Oregon. The world’s largest craft spirits competition recognized Flying Dutchman for its Mediterráneo Gin and its Nas-Drov-Via Vodka. Other Minnesota winners include Tattersall, Dampfwerk, RockFilter, and J. Carver.
Additionally, the American Distilling Institute awarded Los Angeles’ Lost Spirits Distillery with “Best Distillery Experience” at its 2018 annual conference. The distillery has been celebrated for its state-of-the-art systems of rapid-aging, which has been catching on among many whiskey distilleries in recent years.
Bernick’s acquired the distribution rights of the Duluth-based Rohlfing Distributing, which includes the Coors portfolio of brands, along with Summit, Corona, and Boston Beer Co. brands in a territory extending from the Hinckley area to the Canadian border. Bernick’s also is acquiring Rohlfing’s trucks and warehouse located in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Out of left field, darling underdog Castle Danger Brewing came up and pummeled Surly in final round of the Star Tribune’s 2018 Ultimate Minnesota Beer Bracket. With 73 percent of the votes in the final round, Castle Danger easily swept the competition from a No. 2 seed, solidifying the top spot for the North Shore brewery.
The Underground Music Cafe is opening a second branch in downtown near Target Field. The cafe serving up a well-rounded combo of espresso, wood-fired pizzas, local beer, and live music will be three times the size of the original spot in Falcon Heights. The stage will feature daily cover-free shows from local musicians, with a focus on offering exposure to new and up-and-coming acts.
Food
The new “Princess of Pork” Karyn Tomlinson from The Corner Table // Photo via Cochon 555 Twitter
Cochon555, a national tour to promote heritage breed pigs, made a stop in Minneapolis last weekend at the Loews Hotel for a full-hog showdown. Karyn Tomlinson of Corner Table brought home the bacon with her menu of Swedish spareribs, a Sunday ham sandwich, and an apple pie topped with liver ice cream. She’ll be awarded with four days in Rioja, Spain, and will compete for the top slot in the Grand Cochon in Chicago come late September.
Luke Shimp has been a busy guy, but apparently he’s not quite done. The restaurateur and founder of Red Cow and Red Rabbit is adding an event and catering space in Northeast Minneapolis to his resume. The space, expected to open next year, will be Shimp’s first venture in the Northeast neighborhood. Shimp currently operates all four Red Cow locations, Red Rabbit in North Loop, and soon another Red Rabbit location in St. Paul.
Patrons at Dangerous Man will soon be able to cut the cheese without shame or ridicule. Meaning, the brewery will begin selling cheeses from its Growler Shop this Thursday, with the option to either take it with you or enjoy it right there in the taproom. Cheeses available will be paired with the beers on tap, and boards and cheese knives will be available free of charge for those who don’t walk around with their own.
Eat Street’s StormKing BBQ, located right behind Black Sheep Pizza and operated by Black Sheep owner Jordan Smith, is drastically cutting back its business hours just nine months after opening. The critically acclaimed barbecue joint announced via Facebook that, after closing and reopening April 7, it will only be open Saturdays from noon to 5pm. The statement read, “We at StormKing LOVE barbecue and our barbecue lovers! On the other hand we HATE losing money and need to change how we operate.”
Sea Change, the Guthrie Theater’s first floor restaurant, is getting a major overhaul with the arrival of Chef Donald Gonzales. Gonzales previously worked with Thomas Keller at French Laundry, and most recently opened up Gray Duck in Lowertown. Theater-goers will still be able to enjoy a meal pre- or post-show, but Gonzales will also be aiming to bring in more non-theater crowds, as well provide catering options.
Culture
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ live Eagle Cam has kept audiences all over the country rapt since its start in 2012. The cam is located at an undisclosed eagle’s nest near the DNR’s HQ. But this winter, viewers have been noticing that the mother has been missing from her nest, exposing her eggs to the cold and wet that can often be detrimental to their development. With this week being Hatch Week, viewers are anxiously awaiting to see if the two remaining eggs will hatch, but the DNR says chances are slim. “Unfortunately, inconsistent incubation and wet, cool spring temperatures are unfavorable conditions for a successful hatch.”
Following the crowning of April as Minnesota Music Month, the Guthrie Theater announced plans for a special community event honoring the foremost Minnesota musician. “A Purple Celebration,” held in the first and fourth floor lobbies on April 16 from 8-11pm, will feature music and poetry by Prince, as well as performances by JD and Fred Steele with the Mill City Choir.
In lieu of paying mounting fines from the city, the co-directors of north Minneapolis’ Juxtaposition Arts made the tough decision to prematurely demolish their dilapidated building on West Broadway and Emerson Ave. The plan was always to move to a new home, but a new rule resulting in increased fines with each citation gave DeAnna and Roger Cummings the push they needed to take the leap. While they search for a new home base, the organization will establish an art park, designed by the young artists of Juxtaposition in collaboration with West Broadway Coalition and City of Skate, a skateboard park design firm.
The Mill is The Growler’s regular digest of all things new and notable in the world of food, drink, and culture. Stop back weekly for restaurant news, brewery rumors, and more. Have some news you want to share? Got some gossip to dish? Drop us a line at [email protected]
