Before the late 1990s, the lives of barrels mostly started and ended with their relationship to wine or spirits. The notion of aging a beer in used barrels was still a relatively novel concept. What you may not know is that one of your favorite Minneapolis brewpubs was one of the earliest pioneers in barrel-aging beer. “It wasn’t a … [ Read more]
The story behind the annual Town Hall Blessing of the Maibock
May 2, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Adorning an outside wall of Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery is a mural of a holy man, a flock of people raising pint glasses of maibock beer, and one rebel impatiently quaffing his malty Bavarian lager early. This mural depicts the annual Blessing of the Maibock, a tradition that’s now in its 18th year at Town … [ Read more]
7 days, 12 big beers: Town Hall Barrel-Aged Week is Feb. 14–20
February 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment
When it comes to barrel-aged beer, Town Hall Brewery doesn’t mess around. The Minneapolis brewpub was among the first in the country to take home a medal from the Great American Beer Festival for a barrel-aged beer—they won gold in 2001 for their Czar Jack Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout, which pre-dated the “Wood-and-Barrel-Aged-Beer” categories the GABF … [ Read more]
The increasingly blurry line between brewpubs and breweries
January 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Brewpubs and breweries both have “brew” in their titles and both places serve beer; and that’s largely where the similarities between the two business models end—or at least where they used to. Brewpubs and breweries are separate entities, each with its own definition and set of possibilities and limitations, and each offering owners very different business opportunities. However, the legislation passed in … [ Read more]
Your Guide to Sunday Growler Sales in Minneapolis
June 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Following passage at the state level and subsequent approval by the Minneapolis City Council, Sunday growler sales will be legal in Minneapolis starting this Sunday, June 14. Below is a listing of Minneapolis breweries and brewpubs that will be selling growlers on Sundays and their hours. In terms of special offers to mark the occasion … [ Read more]
Minneapolis Cider Week is June 1–6
May 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
By the numbers, hard cider is the fastest-growing segment of the United States’ beer market. Seeing more than 70 percent growth each of the past two years and a market share that has grown fivefold in the past three years, hard cider is in the midst of a full-blown renaissance. Minneapolis Cider Week, an annual celebration of all things hard cider, … [ Read more]
Minnesota scores Gold, Silver, and Bronze at the Great American Beer Festival 2014
October 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Brewers and representatives from more than 700 breweries from across the nation traveled to Denver this past weekend to participate in the largest U.S. beer competition and public festival—the 2014 Great American Beer Festival. Over 200 beer experts from ten countries tasted 5,507 commercial entries rating them across 145 different beer styles. Amidst this astounding … [ Read more]
