A bottle of herbal liqueur will make your home bar more versatile and seasonally appropriate. These liqueurs are made with a wide assortment of ingredients—barks and roots, herbs and spices—that add up to something woodsy, warming, and bittersweet. Here are three made locally, their constituent flavors, and some ideas on how to use them. • … [ Read more]
Craft Cocktail: Branch Water at Norseman Distillery
April 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment
On the first beautiful day of spring, I was admiring the Wüsthofs at Eversharp when I noticed the patio at Norseman Distillery. A single table was bathed in golden sunlight, as if the heavens had sent down a reservation placard for me and my girlfriend. We skipped across the parking lot to that table and, … [ Read more]
Spirits Close-Up: Water
April 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This month’s Craft Cocktail is the Branch Water at Norseman Distillery, a remarkably uncomplicated whiskey and water. So, for this month’s Spirits Close-Up we decided to take a look at how water can enhance the whiskey-drinking experience. Are you telling us to water down our cocktails? You’re doing it already. Water is an important ingredient … [ Read more]
What We’re Drinking: November 2016
October 31, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Welcome back to What We’re Drinking, wherein The Growler editorial staff look back on a recent remarkable beverage. What are you drinking, Growler Nation? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva 2010, John Garland, Senior Editor Rioja is the perfect wine for late fall. It’s rich and concentrated but with a softness on … [ Read more]
Craft Cocktail: The Dark Storm at Norseman Distillery
March 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
“These are all cocktails you can make at home,” says Keith Mrotek, beverage director at the Norseman Distillery cocktail room. “They all have three or four ingredients in them. Super simple. I want you to be able to come here, have a cocktail, go to a liquor store, buy our gin or rum, and then … [ Read more]
The more you drink, the more they donate
March 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Today, March 14, Red Stag Supperclub is hosting a happy hour event to raise funds for the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, the annual grassroots food and fund drive that provides more than half the food distributed by 300 food shelves throughout the state. The happy hour will feature live music by local musicians DOSH, Al Church, … [ Read more]
Norseman Distillery Cocktail Room Opens Today
February 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Norseman Distillery, the first legal distillery to open in Minneapolis since Prohibition, officially opens their cocktail room today, February 19, at 5pm. The cocktail room has Keith Mrotek (Marvel Bar) on as Beverage Director. “The new cocktail lounge combines vintage industrial elements from the 20’s and the finest Italian marble. With a seating capacity of 207 indoors … [ Read more]
The State of Minnesota Whiskey
November 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Minnesota craft-distilling scene is looking to find its place in the geography of whiskey. With a handful of distilleries now past that two-year mark, it’s nearing the time for many to make the jump from barrel to bottle and start bringing aged spirits to market. Adrian Panther of Panther Distillery in Osakis believes Minnesota’s … [ Read more]
Craft Distillery Bottle Sales Start Friday in Minnesota
June 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The rise of craft breweries and cideries in Minnesota has coincided with a renaissance of craft distilleries throughout the state. There are 14 microdistilleries currently in operation (or soon to be). But unlike taprooms, which can sell their beer directly to customers in growlers, distilleries were unable to sell bottles of their liquor on site. Until … [ Read more]
Wander North Distillery Opens, Vodka Released This Weekend
August 14, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Wander North is located in what’s becoming a new destination district for the city’s alcohol makers – just down Broadway from Norseman Distillery, and in the same building as Northgate Brewing’s upcoming taproom and production facility. Their first spirit, Outpost Vodka, is made from 100% Minnesota-grown corn sourced from Fluegel Elevator in Rosemount. It’s milled into … [ Read more]
The Rise of Minnesota-Made Spirits
February 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
After the license fee for small distilleries was lowered in 2011, multiple operations in Minnesota bought stills, sourced grain, and filed their paperwork. Get ready for an explosion of local spirits on the shelves in 2014. By John Garland Scott Ervin of Norseman Distillery fills his bottles of vodka by hand, one at a time, … [ Read more]
