Brooklyn in MN

I was notified by our future Senior East Coast correspondent Jacob Hoffman that Brooklyn brewing is coming to Minnesota. After greeting O'Dells and Deschutes in the same year, what more could we ask for?

Also, those Great Taste of the Midwest Reviews are coming soon. We just have to compile the photos.

Great Taste of the Midwest - Coming Soon

We didn't hit you with a beer of the week last week, but we have something big to make up for it. BOTB attended this year's Great Taste of the Midwest, held annually in Madison, Wisconsin. The fest is one of the countries largest, hosting over 100 brewers from all across the Midwest. We're talking hundreds of beers.

Once we get some of the pictures arranged, expect a full review of the festivities including "Beer Fest Eve" held at bars around Madison.

Minneapolis Hops To It

The Minneapolis City Council is considering an ordinance change that would allow breweries to sell growlers directly from their stock without going through a distributor. According to the Star Tribune, growler sales can add up to and extra $268 per barrel, making a start-up brewery a little easier to manage.

St. Paul's Flat Earth Brewing already sells growlers direct from the brewery. St. Paul was a step ahead of its bigger Twin, approving the growler change in 2006.

Here's hoping that Minneapolis sprouts a few new breweries.

Beer of the Week

Summit Brewing of Saint Paul is now on the fourth installment of their "Unchained" series.

Judging by the strength of the series, Summit should have come unchained long ago. While some of the Summit fleet seem like afterthoughts (IPA, Grand Lager), you can taste the passion in the Unchained series. The Koelsch is particularly good and has been receiving praise from across the beer community.

This week's BOTW is Unchained #4, a Belgian Style Golden Ale. It pours a straw color with a small white head somewhat smaller than other Belgian Golds (which tend to have giant heads).

The smell is fruity, yeasty and sweet. What are those fruits in there? Pear? Grape? There is definitely a hint of banana. There is a lot going on in the nose of this beer.

The taste is like the smell: fruity and sweet. Besides the sweetness, the beer has a complex yeast taste that is true to style. I think I can pick up subtle toffee notes from time to time.

While some Belgian Golds have a strong aftertaste, this one is relatively crisp. The pleasantly mild aftertaste makes this brew go down quickly.

My main complaint with this beer is that it is too sweet. Did the yeast not eat enough of the candi sugar? A little extra fermentation might add to the strength (literally) of this beer. Overall, another worthy effort in the Unchained series. I can't wait for #5.

Recipes On The Brain

Looking for something new to bring to your summer picnics this year? Try my new recipe for Beer Cheese Deviled Eggs.

Ingredients:

- 6 Hardboiled Eggs
- 0.5 Tablespoon of Mayonnaise
- 1.5 Tablespoons of a Medium Bodied Amber Beer
- 2.5 Tablespoons of Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar (I used a zester for mine)
- 1 Teaspoon of Dijon Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon of Horse Radish
- 1 Teaspoon of Worcestershire Sauce
- Pinch of Garlic Salt
- Pinch of Nutmeg
- Pinch of Chili Powder
- Green Onion for Topping
- Bacon for Topping

Directions:

Remove the eggs from the shells and cut them in half the long way. Remove the yolks and put in them in a bowl. Add all the other ingredients except for the green onion and bacon to the bowl with the yolks and whisk them together until it is smooth. Use a spoon or pastry bag to fill the white with the yolk mixture.

Add a piece of bacon and green onion as a topping and enjoy!

The Best of the Best

Thefullpint.com is conducting a poll to see what is the best IPA in country.

There are some heavy hitters on the list, including Stone, Lagunitas, Two Hearted, Hop Devil, Dogfish Head 60, and Racer 5.

Of note though is the little Minneapolis brew pub that could, Town Hall.

Although thefullpint.com is based out of Southern California, Town Hall's Masala Mama IPA somehow made the list. While some other quality IPAs are left to compete as "write-ins," Town Hall is playing the field with the West Coast big boys.

Congratulations to Town Hall. You've obviously made an impression on someone.

P.S. Which IPA is getting my vote? Sorry that's secret. But I'll tell you that it's not Magic Hat.

Top 10 Minnesota Beers

The Minneapolis CBS affiliate, WCCO, released their list of the 10 best local beers. While there are some bright spots, the piece casts its net too wide, ensnaring some less then deserving brews, perhaps in the name of the diversity. Thus, it's BOTB's task to set Minnesotans and our neighbors straight as to the best beers from the land of 10,000 lakes.

Many of these beers have been reviewed in some fashion by BOTB and most have earned the much coveted "Beer of the Week" designation. Where I have previously discussed a brew, I have put a link for your reading pleasure.

In no particular order:

1. Surly Furious

In 2007, Minneapolis based Surly was named Best Brewery In America by Beer Advocate magazine. Furious is the beer that got them there. A british style ale with gobs of hops, Furious' bold taste is reminiscent of the West Coast IPAs and APAs that redefined the art of American brewing. The hops evoke hints of apricot, and the bitter finish smacks refreshingly off the lips. Surly's flagship makes Minnesota proud.

2. Surly Cynic

More on Cynic here.

3. Surly Bender

More on Bender here.

4. Summit Winter Ale

More on Summit Winter here.

5. Summit Hefe-Weizen

More on Summit Hefe here.

6. Summit Koelsch

More on Summit Koelsch here.

7. Lift Bridge Farm Girl Saison

A relative new-comer to the craft beer scene, Stillwater based Lift Bridge takes its name from the city's famous (infamous?) St. Croix River crossing. Farm Girl is actually a little rough around the edges (lacks a little body, lacks enough aroma), and will have to take the silver medal behind Cynic as Minnesota's best Saison. It is, however, still a pleasure to drink and tastes great sitting on a Minnesota lake in summer.

8. Flat Earth Ovni

Ovni is a Biere de Garde, which I'm pretty sure is French for "delicious." Big caramel and toffee notes in the aroma with just a hint of hops. Ovni tastes a lot like it smeels: smooth and caramelly with an earthy finish. Although new to the St. Paul brewery's repertoire, Ovni just might be their best.

9. Flat Earth Belgian Style Pale Ale

More on Flat Earth Belgian Style Pale here.

10. Fulton's Sweet Child of Vine

Fulton's is the new kid on the block in Minnesota brewing, and they're off to a fine start. Their Sweet Child is an IPA (although I might argue APA), which pours an exceptionally dark amber. The hop profile is strong on the fruity side, with some grapefruit and general "sweet fruit" scents. You can also pick up a slight smell of pine. The body is bold and hearty, with enough of a biscuity back to stand up to those hops. An excellent first effort.