It’s the most Minnesotan time of the year, folks: State Fair time. Since the launch of Lift Bridge Mini Donut in 2013, the Fair has engendered the zaniest output from Minnesota’s breweries and cideries. Fair beverages are 12 days of devil-may-care: stuffed with fruits, pickled with veggies, ringed with cotton candy, frozen into slushies, or … [ Read more]
The Mash-Up: Fruited Beers and All Pints North special releases
July 26, 2019 by
With over 175 breweries now pouring their beer in Minnesota, there’s always something new to try. To keep you up to date, we present The Mash-Up—our weekly rundown of new beers and seasonal releases in Minnesota from your favorite local and national breweries. Visit growlermag.com every Friday for the latest or sign up for a … [ Read more]
The Taste Test: Hazy IPA
July 24, 2019 by
The Growler’s editorial staff partnered with official BJCP judges in a blind tasting to determine the best Hazy IPAs in Minnesota. The results may surprise you.
Three Minnesota breweries among the top 50 in the U.S.
March 12, 2019 by
Three Minnesota breweries are on the Brewers Association’s annual lists of the top 50 producing craft brewing companies in the U.S. and the 50 top overall brewing companies in the U.S., based on beer sales volume. Summit Brewing Company, August Schell Brewing Company, and Surly Brewing Company came in at 24th, 25th, and 34th, respectively, … [ Read more]
Tasting Notes: All 27 new drinks at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair
August 24, 2018 by
2018 makes the biggest lineup of new craft beverages ever at the Minnesota State Fair. We sampled 27 new drinks—a wild array of beers, ciders, and wine cocktails made with fruits, vegetables, vanilla, sugar, spice, and everything Minnesota nice. Here are our tasting notes (listed alphabetically within each group). You can also find our Complete … [ Read more]
Craft beer is still growing, but competition is stiffer than ever
March 29, 2018 by
It seems to be a constant question circling the craft beer world: how can the business of craft brewing still be growing? Haven’t we reached the point of saturation? According to a report released this week by the Brewers Association, 2017 saw sustained growth across the board for the craft brewing industry. There were just under 6,300 … [ Read more]
Escape from the Underground: Lessons to the cannabis industry from craft beer
March 27, 2018 by
I don’t know anyone in the craft brewing business—and I say that I truly do not know anybody—that doesn’t smoke some weed,” observed Tony Magee, founder and CEO of Lagunitas Brewing Company, a longtime proponent of cannabis. He was standing behind a podium on stage in a Denver auditorium, building a rapport with the crowd … [ Read more]
Craft Beer’s Plastic Problem
March 20, 2018 by
Why six-pack holders are ending up in the trash even if you recycle them Minnesota’s growing craft beer industry not only provides lots of new taprooms to visit, but also more local beer options when you shop at the liquor store. Instead of going to the taproom to fill up a growler, consumers can now … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2017: Quality Beer
December 26, 2017 by
If there’s one trend in local beer that I’d like to see stick around, it’s a newfound dedication to consistency and quality. For far too long in this community, inexperienced breweries have been bringing bad—often fundamentally flawed—beers to market. Now, as consumers become educated about quality craft beer and more breweries are investing in quality … [ Read more]
Is there really a need for women-targeted beer?
May 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
A new contract brewery directly targeting women is set to begin distributing next month, reports USA Today. High Heel Brewing is the brainchild of 20-year industry veteran and master brewer Kristi McGuire, formerly an employee of Anheuser-Busch and most recently a consultant within the craft brewing industry. McGuire, who’s based in St. Louis, has partnered with contract … [ Read more]
Meet North America’s first craft-brewery cruise ship
May 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment
This month, Carnival Cruise Line launched its newest and largest ship, the 3,954-passenger Carnival Vista. That wouldn’t necessarily be news, except that has its own brewery on board, the Red Frog Pub & Brewery, the first North American ship to have a brewery. Brewmaster Colin Presby makes three styles of beer, and though they are … [ Read more]
Prairie Artisan Ales now distributing in Minnesota
May 10, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Prairie Artisan Ales announced today via press release that it has signed with Clear River Beverage Company to distribute in Minnesota. Prairie was named Best Brewery in Oklahoma and one of the top 100 breweries in the world by RateBeer in 2014 and 2015. In addition, the brewery’s “Bomb!” imperial stout was recently named as one of … [ Read more]
Green Flash Brewing debuts three canned beers nationally
May 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Fans of Green Flash beer, listen up: This morning, Mike Hinkley, co-founder and CEO of Green Flash Brewing Co., announced the national and year-round debut of three Green Flash beers in 12oz cans as an extension of their existing packaged beer assortment. Six-packs of canned Green Flash beers will hit store shelves in June. The … [ Read more]
SW Craft Bar ups its beer game with cask selections
May 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
SW Craft Bar (formerly Señor Wong) underwent a major rebrand late last year, to reflect the restaurant’s increasing focus on craft beer, cocktails, and exotic dishes. Today, they announced another element of their new identity: the addition of cask beer to their 25 craft beer tap lines. “We are really looking forward to showcasing cask … [ Read more]
Junkyard Brewing announces big release for MN Craft Beer Week
May 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Junkyard Brewing Company is doing big things out in “NoMo” (North Moorhead—who knew?). The nano-brewery boasts 10 taps at their taproom, featuring a weekly rotation of experimental beer styles. Their latest creation: a bourbon barrel-aged version of their Coconut Dark Ale, aka Big Kahuna. Two hundred and fifty crowlers of Big Kahuna will be released … [ Read more]
