The Mill: State Fair, Third Bird and other Big Deals

Daniel Murphy / Growler Magazine

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 Bartley Blume’s new digs, grab fish & chips from the Anchor Food Truck, and sip a few of sours on tap among the Bent lineup. They’ll have extended hours during the State Fair (Mon–Fri 2–10pm, Sat-Sun Noon–10pm).

We dig into polenta at The Third Bird, Kim Bartmann’s new Loring Park restaurant (above), which officially opens today.

Upcoming:

Chiptole’s Cultivate Festival will take over Loring Park on Saturday, August 23rd, from 11am-7pm. The free event features a Tasting Hall with 12 different local brewers and vintners, including the Cultivate Farmhouse Ale. A collaboration with Surly Brewing Co., it’s a hazy Belgian saison brewed with Pils and Rye malt and local Minnesota dandelion greens.

State Fair Brews:

We have a comprehensive guide to State Fair Beer for you here,  note a few oddities to be on the lookout for:

Giggle’s Campfire Grill, in partnership with Flat Earth Brewing will debut Giggles’ S’more Beer – a chocolate-infused porter-style brew served in a chocolate-and-graham-cracker-rimmed glass.

Summit Brewing The Villian, their second Fair exclusive following last year’s State Fair IPA. “A traditional German style lager, only more sinister,” describes Brewer Gabe Smoley. “Jet black in color but smooth in flavor.” First keg is tapped Thursday, 11am at Summit’s booth in the International Bazaar.

Schell’s is rolling out Grain Belt Blu, a Premium/blueberry hybrid at the Schell’s pavilion next to Lulu’s in the West End Market.

Lift Bridge returns Mini Donut back to Ball Park Cafe for a second year.

And don’t miss Firkin Fridays at the Land of 10,000 Beers pavilion.

News:

A proposed microbrewery and distillery in Wayzata’s Boatworks building has hit a snag with the City Council. The concern may be that parking is too tight, especially now that 6smith is in the house. It’d be a great location for a taproom, though, and a much needed wild card for Wayzata’s bar scene.

Far North Spirits, distillers of Solveig gin and Alander rum, have announced expanded distribution in New York and New Jersey.

A look at how Briess Malt’s Wyoming operation is developing better barley for craft beer.

The Daily Beast brings you a profile of Kent “Battle” Martin, the single Tax & Trade Bureau official who approves every beer label in America.

Releases:

Indeed Brewing‘s Sweet Yamma Jamma will debut this year at Fair (Ball Park Cafe). Find it on tap and in cans towards the end of the month.

Summit’s Unchained #16, a lager brewed with maple syrup and spruce tips called Herkulean Woods, is out this week.