When you hear “pretzels and beer” you can’t help but think of a classic bar pretzel: a chewy loop of mahogany bread sparingly sprinkled with massive grains of salt. But when we scoured Minneapolis–St. Paul in search of the perfect Oktoberfest pretzel, we found that the same “creative-to-the-point-of-anarchy” approach that American brewers bring to beer … [ Read more]
The Most Important Beers in Minnesota History: A 12-pack of taste and influence
July 2, 2019 by
Since the beginning of commercial brewing here in 1849, Minnesota has produced all types of beers. Many were ordinary and some were renowned, but a small few have become true icons. These were brands that left a mark on the industry, the culture, and even the landscape of beer. Assembling a list of the most … [ Read more]
Bob Was There: From Town Hall to BlackStack, Bob DuVernois’ career spans Minnesota’s craft beer history
July 2, 2019 by
Ask any old-school brewer how their fire was lit and the answer will almost always be, “I started homebrewing…” This holds true for Bob DuVernois, head brewer at BlackStack Brewing. His spark came in 1979 when he tasted a dark beer made by a friend’s father. Not a fan of the macro lagers that monopolized the … [ 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]
How Minnesota’s breweries fare under new tax rules
March 5, 2018 by
Summit Brewing president Mark Stutrud is excited about the new “Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.” “The tax reform is inclusive and beneficial to all brewers, which is a positive, and we’re eager to put the savings right back into our brewery so our customers can enjoy more Summit beer,” Stutrud says. The way … [ Read more]
The Mash-Up: Big releases for Town Hall’s 20th anniversary, Waconia’s 3rd, and Giesenbräu’s opening day
October 20, 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]
GABF Bump: What winning a Great American Beer Festival medal means for breweries
October 13, 2017 by
Very soon, the three-year-old Beaver Island Brewing Company in St. Cloud will hang its Great American Beer Festival (GABF) bronze medal behind the bar in its taproom. “‘Holy shit!’ Then ‘thank you,’” were the first thoughts that popped into Beaver Island co-owner Nick Barth’s mind when they won the award. “It was so affirming to … [ Read more]
The Mash-Up: Hullabaloo, Festival of Oak, and Fresh Hop Fest bring the beer
October 13, 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]
Pull into Town Hall Station, Edina’s new craft beer bar and restaurant, starting June 16
June 15, 2017 by
The Town Hall family is expecting. With sibling locations—Town Hall Brewery (Seven Corners, just east of downtown Minneapolis), Town Hall Tap (South Minneapolis), and Town Hall Lanes (also in South Minneapolis)—the new Town Hall Station is set to open June 16 in Edina as a casual beer bar and restaurant. Located at 4500 Valley View … [ Read more]
Food & Wine rates Town Hall’s Masala Mama as one of the “Best IPAs in America”
December 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
What do you get when you mix Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Mount Hood, Citra, and Experimental 342 hops? Well, according to Food & Wine, it’s Minnesota’s best IPA: Town Hall Brewery’s Masala Mama. In a recent editorial, the magazine picked the Best IPA in every state. For our neighbors to the east they chose Ale Asylum’s Bedlam!, in … [ 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]
Super Bowl chili tips with Town Hall chef Matt Lepisto
February 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Crockpots will be simmering across America this week leading up to the big game, but where does your chili stack up against the rest? If you’re one of those people that swears by a secret recipe that your great-great-grandpa learned from a wily canteen chef in some dusty frontier town, consider testing your mettle at the … [ Read more]
Update: Town Hall Extends Gift Cards for Growlers Promo
May 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Update: May 12, 2015 With well over 1,000 growlers returned so far from locations near and far, Town Hall has extended the campaign through May 17. They estimate over 1,700 are currently in their possession and expect to hit 2,000 total. Growlers returned will be directed back to their original breweries if possible, or recycled for those … [ Read more]
The Wooden Age: An Era of Barrel Aged Beer in Minnesota
February 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Barrel aged beer is a big deal in the world of craft beer these days. It’s also unpredictable, time-consuming to make, and getting more expensive as it grows in popularity. In 2001 Town Hall’s Czar Jack Imperial Stout, now a staple in their annual Barrel Aged Week, won a gold medal at the illustrious Great … [ Read more]
The Mill: Insight Grand Opening, The Beer Mile, Jingle Fever and more
November 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Mill is ready for the Holidays. We’re dusting off our secret turkey recipes, browsing the shops for new cable-knits, and drinking beer spiced with vanilla and cinnamon. What’s on your radar in The Mill this week? Let us know @growlermag. Insight Brewing Opens This Friday: We stopped by Insight Brewing yesterday for a sneak peek … [ Read more]
