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.
Where the Wild Beers Are: More Minnesota brewers are investing in mixed-culture programs
July 17, 2019 by
Ten years ago, locally made wild and spontaneously fermented ales were rarities. Most examples found in liquor stores and in beer bars were imported Belgian lambics and Flemish red and browns ales. Local brewers were so reluctant to introduce wild yeasts and bacteria in their brewhouse for fear of contaminating their non-sour beers that it … [ Read more]
Lupulin Brewing Company Acquiring Hydra Beer Company, Opening Second Lupulin Taproom in Sioux Falls, SD
June 6, 2019 by
South Dakotans living on the South Dakota/Minnesota border have been able to get Lupulin Brewing Company’s beers at liquor stores and on tap throughout their state since April 2019, when the Big Lake, Minnesota, brewery expanded its brewhouse and partnered with Global Distributing, Inc. Soon, they’ll also be able to post up at Lupulin’s second brewery … [ Read more]
Celebrate National Homebrew Day with Big Brew events around Minnesota
May 3, 2018 by
If there wasn’t enough to celebrate on May 5 between Cinco de Mayo and the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday is also the worldwide celebration of the American Homebrewers Association’s (AHA) National Homebrew Day. In 1988, May 7 was declared before Congress as National Homebrew Day, and to toast to this blessed beer … [ Read more]
To Haze, Or Not to Haze?
April 13, 2018 by
New England IPAs are divisive. Some argue the style converts the hop-averse into enthusiastic proponents of hop flavor and aroma. Others point out their trademark haze can cause short shelf life, disguise bad brewing practices, and lead eager but uninformed consumers to value haze over quality. But at this point it’s hard to make the argument … [ Read more]
8 ways to celebrate American Craft Beer Week
May 16, 2017 by
American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) is back for a 12th year to celebrate the nation’s 5,300-plus small and independent craft breweries. Starting May 15 and running through May 21, all 50 states will be holding events from exclusive brewery tours, beer releases, beer dinners, and more. Here are just a few of the ways you can get out … [ Read more]
Lupulin Brewing expands, starts canning
March 3, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Hundreds of bright green cans clink together as a vibrating stainless steel table funnels them down into a single file line, before the rollercoaster conveyor belt corkscrews them into a canning machine. After a quick rinse, five thin plastic straws plunge into a row of empty cans and purge them with carbon dioxide before the … [ Read more]
Spilled Grain Brewhouse wants you to get ‘Outside the Loop’
November 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Before Indeed, before Surly, before Summit’s Mark Stutrud was but a twinkle in his father’s eye, back when August Schell himself was alive and in his heyday, nearly every town in pre-Prohibition Minnesota had its own brewery. And now in the days of the craft beer boom that history is repeating itself. More than 115 … [ Read more]
Lupulin Brewing to release first bottled beer, Imperial Raspberry Truffle
February 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Lupulin Brewing will release their first bottled beer, Imperial Raspberry Truffle, to members of their Founding Sponsor program on Saturday, Feb. 27 and a week later on March 5 to the general public at their Big Lake, Minnesota, brewery. The imperial porter was aged on cacao nibs and 15 pounds of raspberries per barrel, and … [ Read more]
Taking center stage: The beer revival in middle Minnesota
December 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Breweries in the heart of Minnesota are popping up faster than holiday décor in big-box stores, but do they have what it takes to make it long-term? You probably have a mental image of what an outstate Minnesota beer drinker looks like. It’s a guy. He’s middle-aged, a little paunchy, wearing a jacket with his … [ Read more]
Autumn Brew Review 2015 Recap
September 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
There is a quote often attributed to Benjamin Franklin that reads, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” While the evidence suggests the original quote was about wine and not beer, craft beer fans will never argue with the sentiment. Nor would anyone argue with the phrase, “Autumn Brew Review … [ Read more]
Talking shop: Start-up breweries seek help from those who paved the trail
August 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Brewing, sharing, and drinking beer seem like pretty great perks of starting a brewery. But breweries need to have more than just great beer to survive. They need a business plan, financing, contractors, the right licenses and approvals—the list goes on and on. While doing one’s homework and research before starting a business is always a … [ Read more]
Now Open: Lupulin Brewing
May 14, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Photos by Brian Kaufenberg On May 10, many eager Minnesotans with boats in tow will find themselves in Big Lake, parked in bumper-to-bumper traffic on U.S. Highway 10 on their way north for fishing opener. On May 15, they’ll find themselves in lined up in Big Lake for another opener—Lupulin Brewing’s grand opening. Founded by … [ Read more]
