Beverages

10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer 2013: Weekend Events

Finally, it's Friday, it's the start of Art-A-Whirl, and it's time to celebrate the end of Craft Beer Week with a cold brew or two... or more. With dozens of events, tappings, and releases going on all weekend, we picked a handful of events that are sure to be filled to the brim with fun and hops.

10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer 2013: Wednesday Events

You've made it over the mid-week uphill battle, and it's time to go treat yourself to something ice-cold, refreshing, and definitely full o' hops. Since it's Craft Beer Week, this is the week to go out and indulge in some new craft beers and meet the brewing geniuses behind the beer. We've compile ... More >>

10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer 2013: Monday Events

From ales and porters to stouts and lagers, we're crazy about craft beer. And this week, we're especially excited because it's American Craft Beer Week. To celebrate this week-long festival of tasty libations in our neck of the woods, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild are presenting 10,000 Minutes o ... More >>

Second-annual Spring Ale Fest this weekend

As the craft beer boom continues to widen the availability of premium suds, the festivals continue to grown and change. Beer geeks can find plenty to get excited about at this weekend's second annual Spring Ale Fest, held at Uppercut Gym in northeast Minneapolis. We spoke with event organizer Connor ... More >>

Great Waters brewpub: "It's never a straight path"

The current craft brewing growth isn't Minnesota's first brewery boom. The mid 1990s also saw an uptick in production of local brews, one that can teach the new startups some lessons--at least from those who survived. Great Waters Brewing Company in downtown St. Paul has seen a lot in its 17 years, ... More >>

Solo Vino fifth-annual rosé-tasting tickets go on sale

Spring is ready to bloom bright and rosy as another annual sign of warmer weather arrives. Tickets for Solo Vino's annual tasting of blush-colored wines throughout the world are now on sale. For the fifth year, the giant tent will be raised in the St. Paul parking lot of the wine shop, but this year ... More >>

Brau Brothers getting ready for move to Marshall

Brau Brothers Brewing Company is clear about its origins, proudly printing "population 220" for all to see on its original logo. However, as the brewery grows, obstacles have risen, and relocation is afoot for the 15-year-old company, now based in tiny Lucan, Minnesota. Brau Brothers started in 1998 ... More >>

Von Schleinitz Riesling at Kings Wine Bar: A wintery white drink of the week

Von Schleinitz Riesling 2008 Kings Wine Bar $9/glass, $27/bottle What else is there to do when faced with layers of sheer ice on every walking surface but granny-shuffle into the nearest neighborhood bar for some liquid relief? If that local watering hole happens to be the decidedly undivey Kings W ... More >>

Beer maker Nathan Berndt: Brewing "the Indeed way" in Northeast

There's no doubt about it, the Minnesota brew scene is booming. Indeed Brewing Company, which first opened its doors last winter, was the first brewery in northeast Minneapolis. Now there are three. The Hot Dish caught up with co-owner Nathan Berndt to talk about the company he helped found with lon ... More >>

Top 10 wine bars in the Twin Cities

Spending an evening at a great wine bar is one of life's most elegant, refined, and enjoyable dining experiences. Whether you're rediscovering a favorite wine; exploring little traveled regions, wineries, or varietals; seeking a perfect match of food and beverage; or just relaxing in good company, T ... More >>

Schell's: brewing German-style beer for 152 years

August-Schell Brewery is Minnesota's oldest operating brewery and the second-oldest family-run brewery in the United States (Yuengling in Pennsylvania is first). The New Ulm-based brewery has seen a lot of hard times, surviving the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, Prohibition, and a number of other historic ... More >>

Beer fests abound in and around the Twin Cities

The proliferation of beer fests in and around the Twin Cities is getting intense. You can't turn around anymore without tripping over at least one celebration of suds. They are getting so thick that most weekends offer more than one to choose from. I've spent the last three Saturdays imbibing at som ... More >>

Smokehouse Brewpub opens Thursday

See Also:Smokehouse Brewpub offers free beer for lifeTop 5 brewpubs in the Twin CitiesLast year, before their beer was even brewing, the owners of the soon-to-open Smokehouse Brewpub made waves with their "free beer for life" offer to any investor who made a donation of $1,000 or more. After nearly ... More >>

Minnesota-brewed beer is big at this year's State Fair

Last year around this time I reported with great fanfare that one vendor at the State Fair had decided to put a selection of craft beers on tap. Among them were brews from several Minnesota beer makers. Minnesota beer would finally get a bigger presence at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. It was bi ... More >>

Twin Cities Beer Fest this Saturday at the MOA

In the mood for a beer fest this weekend? Of course you are. If you missed out on tickets to the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, Wisconsin, there is a fest you can hit right here at home. Last summer's Minneapolis Beer Fest is making a comeback with a new name and a new location. Now sporting ... More >>

Celebrate IPA Day today with free pints at Woolley's

See also:Tonka Beer: Saving Minnesota lakes one beer at a timeSince way back in 2011, this day, August 2, has been nationally recognized as IPA Day. This holiday is a very special time when craft beer drinkers come together and celebrate this brightly bitter, iconic ale. If you'd like to pay yo ... More >>

Biella hosts Lake Minnetonka dinner cruises

Even though it's been a beastly hot summer, Minnesotans would be wise to take advantage of outdoor dining opportunities when they present themselves, before autumn takes hold.  Still, sitting on a stifling hot patio is a bit of a hard sell this month. However, Biella Italian restaurant in Excel ... More >>

How to brew iced coffee at home [RECIPE]

The hot accessory for summer is a mason jar filled with craft-brewed iced coffee. Many of our favorite coffee shops are now selling growlers of their iced brew. The only drawback is that they take the DIY satisfaction out of the brew process (not to mention, some of these options are a bit steep in ... More >>

Minneapolis among top 10 cities for drinking craft beer

Falling under the category of "things we already could have guessed without conducting a market research study", a new market research study from Scarborough Research shows that Minneapolis is one of the top 10 cities in America for drinking microbrews, particularly those that are locally made, repo ... More >>

How I learned to stop complaining and love the Mojito

The Mojito is a classic summer cocktail. Its origins lie in Cuba, but the specifics (like many cocktails) are debated. Some believe that African slaves working in the sugar cane fields created an early version of the drink in the late 1800s as a way to beat the island heat. Others contend that the d ... More >>

Republic to add 25 new taps by May

If you're already a fan of their happy hour specials, fish tacos, and garlic confit burger, you'll be pleased to learn that Republic at Seven Corners plans to add another 25 taps to its already wide selection of draft beers by May.

Winterfest ticket giveaway

Winterfest is THE hot ticket of the Twin Cities beer-fest year. A showcase for members of the Minnesota Craft Brewer's Guild, it is open only to Minnesota breweries. They are all trying to out-do each other in a friendly competition for bragging rights to the best beer in the state, so ever brewer b ... More >>

Top 5 brewpubs in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities have a great and growing beer scene. I've spent the last year traveling the upper Midwest visiting breweries and tasting brews. I've been to about 130 and can say with some authority that the beers brewed in the Twin Cities are among the best in the region. We've got some great brewp ... More >>

Top 10 martinis in the Twin Cities

​Life keeps getting better for Twin Cities cocktail lovers. New and exciting craft cocktails are being conceived, and classic cocktails are being rediscovered. No list of classic cocktails would be complete without the martini.It's clean, elegant, sexy, and its simplicity is part of it genius. The ... More >>

Meritage's New Year's Day plans feature new brunch menu, drink specials

​Chef Russell Klein is hitting the refresh button on brunch just in time for 2012. With classic favorites and a few surprises, the revamped menu will be on full display at Meritage's New Year's Day Brunch--complete with2-for-1 drink specials to cure any excess Auld Lang Syne-ing.

Top 10 coffeehouses in the Twin Cities

​The second wave of coffee awareness has seized the Cities.  Where once we happily sipped diner swill for $1.50, when we were introduced to Starbucks the coffee snob revolution began. Now we have single-cup brewing of fair trade beans and elegant surroundings in which to savor them.  We ... More >>

Cafe Maude's Bronx Cocktail: a new twist on an old classic

Cafe Maude's Bronx Cocktail ​Bronx Cocktail $10 Cafe Maude 5411 Penn Ave. S., Minneapolis 612.822.5411 Its been said that there are no new cocktails, only new ways of making old ones. I don't believe that's true, but I am always impressed when someone takes a drink I know well and really makes i ... More >>

Top 5 Thanksgiving wines

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. Food and football. The meal is built around turkey, but it's the side dishes, traditional to your family and friends and as varied or exotic as your friends and family, that make the meal. Thanksgiving Day dinner offers wine lovers a unique challenge as ... More >>

Dean's Kombucha is looking for investors

Deane's Kombucha wants you to invest in its future​For a while last year it seemed doubtful that Deane's Kombucha would survive. The St. Paul-based maker of fermented tea beverages started by Bryan Bertsch in 2009 was well on its way to success when the federal government suddenly discovered t ... More >>

W.A. Frost will host Anti-Nouveau Beaujolais tasting this Thursday

There's more to Beaujolais wines than Nouveau​On Thursday, November 17, while celebrations of the release of Beaujolais Nouveau take place across town (most prominently at the Jeune Lune Event Center), W. A. Frost and Company will be inviting wine lovers to explore the lesser-known wines of Bu ... More >>

Beaujolais Nouveau is coming: Here's where to celebrate like the French

All Beaujolais is not nouveau, bit it's a reason to have a good timeNovember 17! Mark your calendar. The third Thursday of November is the traditional debut of the world's freshest, least pretentious wine: Beaujolais Nouveau. One of the best places to celebrate this year may be at the Jeune Lune Ev ... More >>

Halloween vintage cocktails: Blood red, boozy, and scary good [RECIPE]

The Jack Rose, and the Rose​It's Halloween weekend, and many a cauldron will be smoking with witches' brew. While most Halloween cocktail recipes are quite grotesque in a not-good way (think Bailey's Irish Cream with strawberry schnapps floating on top), we have an entirely different set of ... More >>

Top 5 books for wine lovers

​Wine can be an intimidating subject for many people. With so many wines, varietals, vintages, and regions, it can be hard to know where to start. What's the difference between chenin blanc and sauvignon blanc? Why are American wines categorized by grape variety and French wines by region? Was 200 ... More >>

Do wine and chocolate mix? A few tips on pairing

The combination of chocolate and red wine often sets similar qualities against one-another​Pairing wine and food is often a puzzle, and the question of what wine goes best with chocolate seems to come up fairly often. For some, chocolate and red wine are both so delightful that any combination ... More >>

I Nonni wine tasting October 30

I Nonni's wine shop and restaurant offer elite Italian bottlings ​I Nonni Osteria in Lilydale is set to host its annual wine tasting, showcasing the very finest Italian wine available in our market, some of it only available at I Nonni. The tasting will take place Sunday, October 30, from 3 to 6 ... More >>

Top 5 local Oktoberfest beers

Sure, we're a state full of Scandinavians, but that doesn't mean we can't party like the beer-swigging Germans when October rolls around. Which beers should be filling your stein this time of year? Five local breweries offer the Oktoberfest experience for a limited time, and we're ready to weigh in.

Twin Cities Coffee Guild website debuts as a hub for local java info

www.twincitiescoffeeguild.comThe newest coffee klatch: TC Coffee Guild.​Gordon Bellaver, manager and part owner of Bull Run coffee shop at 34th and Lyndale, says his inspiration to start a Twin Cities Coffee Guild began one day several months ago when he was at another local coffee shop. He ... More >>

Autumn Brew Review

Killebrew sodas batting 0-2 in quality control

Harmon Killebrew's legacy lives on in these bottles. ​Who doesn't want to root for a hometown hero, especially when it's a root beer? Old Fashioned Killebrew sodas--root beer and cream soda--are part of famed Minnesota baseball player Harmon Killebrew's legacy. When Harmon's son brought the ... More >>

Clearwater Beer Festival in Altoona, Wisconsin: An easy beer road trip

Clearwater Beer Festival offers an alternative to sold-out local fests​Didn't get tickets to tomorrow's Surlyfest? Missed out on Summit's silver anniversary tickets too? Maybe you're just looking to get out of town. Well, beer fans, don't despair. Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has a beer festival opp ... More >>

September is beer fest month in the Twin Cities

Mark RobertsBeer fests abound this month in the Twin Cities​Grab your goblets and get a good protein base in your gut. It's going to be a marathon month for beer fans in the Twin Cities. Every weekend holds something big, including two Saturdays with two events each. This Saturday kicks it off ... More >>

Kombucha's PR Problem

Is it a health drink? An alcoholic beverage? It depends on who you ask.

Joia Sodas introduce gourmet soft drinks designed by local bartender

Mixologist Dan Oskey of the Strip Club created wild new flavors like "Lime, Hibiscus & Clove." ​When a mixologist of extraordinary flavor-pairing skills teams with several adept and accomplished marketing minds, amazing things happen. Such is the case with Joia--All Natural Sodas. Seeing a lac ... More >>

This year's Autumn Brew Review will be twice the fun

Tickets go on sale July 15th​This is the 11th year for Autumn Brew Review, the big fall beer festival sponsored by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild and held in September on the grounds of the old Grain Belt Brewery in Northeast. Each year the Brew Review features the best that Minnesota brewe ... More >>

Red Stag's Sazerac: A New Orleans-inspired drink of the week

Michelle LeonRed Stag's amber glow.​Sazerac$9Red Stag Supperclub509 First Avenue NE., Minneapolis, 612.767.7766website Like the martini, Manhattan, or old-fashioned, the sazerac is another pre-Prohibition cocktail, this one originating in New Orleans, that everyone claims as having the "orig ... More >>

The Macallan 55 at St. Paul Grill: a super fancy drink of the week

Fifty-five years old and $750 a glass.​The Macallan 55$750 a glassThis Drink of the Week should probably be described in the voice of Robin Leach from Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, so image that. The Macallan 55 is a Highland single-malt scotch whisky, meaning this little sip has been aged i ... More >>

Get hoppy about Minnesota Craft Beer Week this week in food

Frosty​This week in food is awash in lagers, IPAs, and stouts thanks to Minnesota Craft Beer Week and the Stillwater Brewer's Bazaar. If you're a beer lover, this is the perfect week to call in sick to work.

Bull Run's latte art throwdown crowns a winner

The site of some fierce competition​The huddle of plaid smokers in front of Bull Run Coffee at 10:00 p.m. was the first clue that something unusual was going on Thursday at the coffeehouse on Lyndale Avenue. As the Hot Dish crossed the threshold, a serious coffee crowd was enjoying the sounds of S ... More >>

Bull Run Coffee hosts latte art throwdown

Bull Run takes latte art to the limit.​Bull Run Coffee's new shop at 3346 Lyndale Avenue S. has already been open one month and will be celebrating with a grand opening party and latte art "throwdown" this Thursday. The shop will be hosting a special guest, coffee-geek guru Michael Phillips, ... More >>

Minnesota Craft Beer Week is May 13-21

Here's what's in store for next week's festivities:​The second annual Minnesota Craft Beer Week will take place May 13-21 with all sorts of brew-related festivities. More than 40 events are on this year's Craft Beer Week calendar, taking place all over the metro. Participants pay $5 for a Cr ... More >>