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]
The State of Sours: An update on Minnesota’s funkiest beers
July 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Minnesota brewers are becoming fixated on mixed-fermentation [Editor’s Note: This post will continue to be updated with more news on sours made by Minnesota’s breweries] A whole new segment of Minnesota beer has turned sour. Or maybe not sour—that makes it sound like a mistake. These beers are intentionally tart and astringent, funky and wild. “Sour beer” is … [ Read more]
Schell’s completes purchase of Grain Belt sign; will release Lock & Dam Lager in April
February 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
August Schell Brewing Company announced this morning they’ve completed the purchase of the historic Grain Belt sign on Nicollet Island. Plans call to add the sign to the National Register of Historic Places and have it fully restored and relit by the summer of 2017 (the sign was last lit in 1975.) Schell’s is partnering … [ Read more]
First Taste: Schell’s Apparent Horizon Rye Berliner Weisse
October 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Schell’s Brewery is set to release Apparent Horizon, the newest entry in the their ongoing Noble Star series, which explores different variations of the traditional Berliner weisse style. The American craft beer scene has become entranced by sour beers, Berliner weisse chief among them. In Germany, however, Berliner weisse is nearly extinct—a remarkable decline from 700 breweries making the style at the height of its popularity in … [ Read more]
New Beers—and More—at Target Field in 2015
April 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Baseball season is finally back, and with it comes the announcement of the Twins’ starting lineup for the home opener today—and Target Field’s 2015 lineup of local beers. First, let’s go over the seasoned players of the stadium’s locally-brewed options: Indeed (Dandy Lager, Day Tripper, Shenanigans) Summit (EPA, Hopvale, Maibock, Saga, other seasonals) Surly (Furious, … [ Read more]
Schell’s Dawn of Aurora
April 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Schell’s Dawn of Aurora 8% ABV, 5 IBU Schell’s is on a beautiful track. With the Noble Star Collection, they have shown that they can still surprise us and Dawn of Aurora is no exception. This Berliner weisse has been carefully crafted to provide a light, slightly tart experience laden with notes of sweet fruits. … [ Read more]
Schell’s Stag Series #9: Cave- and Barrel-Aged Lager
April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
When you’ve been in business for over 150 years, you’re going to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Or under your brewery. Like the caverns beneath the August Schell Brewing Co. in New Ulm. The Civil War-era caves made lagering possible in the pre-refrigeration world. A century and a half later, the caves have given birth … [ Read more]
The Mill: Stout Weeks and Mexican Honey
February 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Mill is fumbling through February. Warmish days and bone cold nights, Valentines on the horizon, and spring sampler 12-packs teasing us with their cruel early timing. What are you drinking in The Mill? Let us know @growlermag. Upcoming Events Dark beer fans rejoice: It’s Stout Week at Stanley’s NE. Drink some Abyss and Oak-Aged … [ Read more]
Schell’s Purchasing Historic Grain Belt Sign, Hopes to Relight the Minneapolis Icon
November 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
August Schell Brewing Company, the New Ulm, MN-based makers of Grain Belt beer, have announced an agreement to purchase the iconic Grain Belt Beer sign on Nicollet Island. The brewery will donate the sign to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and with their help — and the support of a few other entities — plans to restore the sign to turn the … [ Read more]
The Mill: Commander Release, Green Flash Expands, Stir Crazy and More
November 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Mill is being whitewashed—how do you like them apples? We’re going to shut our windows and hang on to autumn as long as possible with all the great craft cider this state is making, before trudging out to drink 10% ABV barrel-aged stouts for the next four months. What’s on your radar this week … [ Read more]
Schell’s Noble Star #4: Black Forest Cherry
August 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The fourth interpretation in Schell’s Berliner weisse series has landed. If you’re not yet in the mood for changing leaves and sweater weather, you will be now. The malty base beer for Schell’s Black Forest Cherry was aged for a full year in large cypress lagering tanks. Then came the addition of a couple tons … [ Read more]
The Mill: State Fair, Third Bird and other Big Deals
August 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Mill is ready to get together. And we’ll bring you complete coverage on Thursday’s coming chaos in St. Paul. In the meantime, tell us who is the best in local beer: submit your nominations for Kind-Of-A-Big-Deal 2014. Yesterday’s News: Bent Brewstillery will re-open their taproom this Thursday, August 21st beginning at 2pm. Check out … [ Read more]
The Mill: Brooklyn MASH, Final North Coast Nosh, and more
August 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Mill is getting anxious. There are autumn sampler packs on shelves and back to school specials in our mailboxes. It’s time to enjoy the outdoors while we can. How about a riverboat cruise? Or a paddle around the lake? Any other outdoor events we should know about? Tweet me @johnpgarland. Events: Here’s the list … [ Read more]
The Mill: In Cahoots and Uneasy Detente
July 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Mill has returned from the lake. Duluth treated us to a gorgeous 84 degrees to sample from 66 breweries in Bayfront Festival Park. Now it’s time to get collaborative at Red Stag and find some interesting new summer beers. Got any inside brew info? Tweet me @johnpgarland. Events: We’ve added an interesting twist to … [ Read more]
Collab Beers Announced for ‘In Cahoots! A Collaboration of Craft’
July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Some of Minnesota’s favorite craft breweries are ready to announce their collaboration beers for the first ever ‘In Cahoots! A Collaboration of Craft‘ on August 3rd, 2014. There is something special about the craft beer ‘industry.’ Craft breweries seems to foster a different kind of competition. Seemingly less frequent in craft beer are cutthroat rivalries and … [ Read more]
