International exports might seem at odds with American craft brewing. We think of U.S. craft brewers as focused on breaking into neighboring states, not neighboring countries. But in 2017, nearly half a million barrels of U.S. craft beer was exported by land or by sea. While it’s routinely positioned as a “local” product in a locavore … [ Read more]
The nonprofit teaching Minnesotans about ranked choice voting one beer festival at a time
October 30, 2018 by
Voting your favorite brewery to best of the fest recognition has long been a standard practice at beer festivals. But for some events, it’s the ballot itself—not the beers on it—that are the focus. Check the ballot at your next event, and chances are it’s powered by FairVote Minnesota, a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting … [ Read more]
‘Chef Incubator’ food trailer coming to Sociable Cider Werks
October 11, 2018 by
One of the trickiest angles in the world of taprooms and cocktail rooms is the integration of food. The right eats can entice guests to come back for a second, or third, or fourth beverage as a quick nip unfolds into a pleasant meal. The contrary is also true: Working with food trucks that serve … [ Read more]
The Ultimate Guide to Cider Week 2018
June 1, 2018 by
Celebrating all-things cider, the annual Minnesota Cider Week is back and ready for sipping action. Running June 2–9, this week-long celebration, organized by the Minnesota Cider Guild, highlights our state’s locally crafted cider, as well as many of the establishments that embrace and support the fast-growing industry. The week is full of events, from special … [ Read more]
The Growler’s guide to Art-A-Whirl 2018
May 16, 2018 by
Spring has sprung (finally), and Northeast Minneapolis is springing into a whirlwind of a weekend—it’s the 23rd annual Art-A-Whirl. From May 18–20, thousands of people will descend on the area to browse art, tour studios and galleries, and watch artists’ creative techniques. But people need to eat, drink, and take a load-off, too, so many … [ Read more]
The Mash-Up: Shakopee Brewhall debuts, plus ABR and other big beer events bring fresh flavors
September 15, 2017 by
With well over 100 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 weekly … [ Read more]
8 things every brewery should do to be more conservation-minded
February 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The idea of being more sustainable can be daunting for any brewer when you consider all the heat, water, and ingredients in play, not to mention the potential for waste. But when you get to the core of sustainability, it comes down to maximizing usage, buying smart, and giving back. Here are eight ways any … [ Read more]
Beers for Bob: 10 perfect pairings honoring Dylan’s Nobel Prize
October 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Bob Dylan became the first singer-songwriter to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature on Thursday for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” In honor of this achievement by one of Minnesota’s most recognizable native sons, here are 10 of our favorite Dylan songs or albums and their perfect Minnesota beer … [ Read more]
Sociable Cider introduces barrel-aging program
August 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Sociable Cider Werks co-owner Jim Watkins is never satisfied. He’s always tinkering with things, whether it’s cooking a steak or sourcing apples for the cider served at the taproom in Northeast Minneapolis. It’s no wonder then that the Sociable team is experimenting with the complex flavors that come from barrel-aging their fermented fruit beverage. The … [ Read more]
Pain & Glory: The brutal, beer-soaked, free-for-all also known as Cyclocross
July 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Holy hell this hurts. Holy Hell this hurts. Holy hell This Hurts. HOLY HELL THIS HURTS… What starts as a cursory observation turns into a sadistic mantra that ricochets around the brain during the 45–60 minute full-tilt boogie that is the average cyclocross race. Sure, other thoughts creep in from time to time, like “Why I am … [ Read more]
Sociable Cider Werks to debut caramel apple cider at 2016 Minnesota State Fair
July 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Cooking caramel! #MNStateFair #CaramelApple #SociableSummer MNBeer pic.twitter.com/VkQb50Cu3X — Sociable Cider Werks (@SociableCider) August 12, 2016 When Lift Bridge first brewed their Mini Donut Beer for the Minnesota State Fair a few years back, they set off a chain reaction among Minnesota breweries that has since spawned beers like Flat Earth’s S’mores Porter and Excelsior’s Maple … [ Read more]
The State of Cider 2016: Updates from cideries during Minnesota Cider Week
June 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
For at least one week in the year, cider reigns supreme in Minnesota. Town Hall Brewery’s sixth annual weeklong cider celebration runs through June 11, and this year the event was rebranded Minnesota Cider Week to reflect the growing community of cidermakers and cider drinkers across the state. Cider is an essentially simple beverage—take apple juice, ferment … [ Read more]
Symphony and Suds Takes Classical Music Off the Stage and Into the Taproom
February 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
In a time when all things old are suddenly cool again, you’d think orchestral music would be a hot ticket item. But for some reason, while record players and retro furniture and typewriters have all made their way back into everyday life, classical music is still being snubbed by younger generations, and labeled as stuffy, … [ Read more]
Burgers, bikes & beers: 5 things to do this weekend
July 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Every Minnesotan knows—though they may not like to admit it—that summer is fleeting, which is why we end up with jam-packed weekends such as this one. Here are five things to do this weekend that you won’t end up regretting when the snow inevitably starts to fly in a few short months (sorry). All Pints North All … [ 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]
