Every so often, something new comes along that really gets us excited to be a part of the craft beer community. We have an expanding craft beer market in Minnesota as more people are looking for high quality, locally produced beer. Today’s announcement marks an important step in the vision for our friend Tom Hill as he is joining his new Bemidji Brewing Company as head brewer.

Bemidji Brewing Company today announced their strategy to fund and build their microbrewery in northern Minnesota. They are beginning a 60-day fundraising effort through Kickstarter to secure a nano-brewing system. We have included their press release below, and we look forward to sharing more about the new venture in the near future.

Fresh, local craft beer. This is what the founders of the up-and-coming Bemidji Brewing Company hope to bring to Bemidji and northern Minnesota. But starting a brewery, even something as small as a microbrewery, comes with a hefty price tag, and in tough economic times, these young entrepreneurs are getting creative to source their start-up funds. Bemidji Brewing’s founders, Tom Hill, Tina Hanke, and Justin “Bud” Kaney are utilizing several grassroots start-up and funding strategies: from starting with a very small “nano” system of 25 gallons of beer per batch and renting space at a commercial kitchen, to looking to raise funds via online fundraising campaigns.

“The state of Minnesota is experiencing a craft beer boom–from the increased consumer awareness to the exciting number of new breweries opening, craft beer is no longer something for the coasts or big cities,”

says head brewer and Bemidji State Alum Tom Hill, “people everywhere are looking for a high-quality beer that is made locally.” This demand, especially in northern Minnesota, is what Bemidji Brewing hopes to quench. “In order for us to bring fresh, local craft beer to Bemidji and northern Minnesota, we hope to launch a pilot brewing system, basically a very small-scale system that will allow us to serve a few local accounts,” says Tina Hanke, one of the few female brewery founders in Minnesota.

“Then, when we have documented sales and demand data we will be able to approach more traditional capital raising entities such as banks and investors to build a larger production brewery.”

However, building even a small pilot brewing system is a pricey endeavor, so the founders are looking to the community to help make it happen. They are launching an online “Kickstarter” campaign that will run for 60 days in hopes of raising the $15,000 goal the founders have set to help cover the costs of securing a small brewing system. According to the Kickstarter.com website, “Kickstarter is the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects.” The concept is simple: someone with a creative project submits an online project campaign through Kickstarter and then folks can go online to view and donate to the project. If, and only if, the project meets its goal amount, is the project funded and the donors charged. It’s all or nothing. This is where the Bemidji Brewing Company is looking to local communities and northern Minnesota: to help them meet their $15,000 goal by Sunday, January 22, 2012. Bud Kaney, also a BSU Alum, stresses the founders’ commitment to providing locals with fresh, high-quality craft beer, and their hopes of having a production brewery and taproom in Bemidji someday where folks from all backgrounds can enjoy the community aspect of craft beer.

“For us, beer is more than just a beverage, it’s a passion, and we look forward to sharing it with our friends and neighbors.”

To learn more about Bemidji Brewing Company, its founders, and their Kickstarter campaign, visit: http://bemidjibeer.com. You can meet the founders, and chat about the Brewery at their fist public event on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 4-7pm when they present a one-night art show entitled “Beer: Beyond Taste” hosted by KD Floral and Gardens, located at 325 Minnesota Ave in downtown Bemidji.

Update: We are including a link to the Bemidji Brewing Company’s Kickstarter campaign.

Starting today we will be selling different infused Cygnus X-1 Porter growlers each day at the brewery. Additionally there will be a special keg tapping each evening at select bars in the Twin Cities. The first 10 people getting an infused Cygnus will receive a free Flat Earth pint glass. Here is the schedule of events for the week at the brewery and abroad:

<li><strong>Monday - Xanadu - Orange infused Cygnus @ The Happy Gnome</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tuesday - Big Money - Oak Aged Cygnus @ The Bulldog Lowertown</strong></li>
<li><strong>Wednesday - Hold Your Fire - Fresno Pepper infused Cygnus @ The Muddy Pig</strong></li>
<li><strong>Thursday - Mystic Rhythms - Raspberry infused Cygnus @ The Groveland Tap</strong></li>
<li><strong>Friday - Grand Design - S'more infused Cygnus @Stub &amp; Herb's</strong></li>

I hope all you Minnesotans are as excited to have the fabled Odell available in Minnesota as I am. I’ve gotten ahold of the calendar of events for Odell’s inaugural week in Minnesota. I hope to see many of you out at these tastings and release parties!

Monday, May 3

Zipps Liquors: Be the first to try the fine Odell Brews in Minnesota!  Beer tasting with Brewery Founder Doug Odell!  3:30pm-4:30pm

Mackenzie: Minneapolis Kickoff for Odell Brewing Company. Meet Doug Odell and the brewery team for the first official tapping of a 90 Shilling for the city of Minneapolis. There will be 3 Odell beers on draft and some fun “Scottish Flair” to go with the festivities.  Starts at 5:00pm

Sweeney’s Saloon: St. Paul’s Kickoff for Odell Brewing Company. Meet Doug Odell and the brewery team for the first official tapping of a 90 Shilling for the city of St. Paul. There will be 3 Odell beers on draft and some fun “Scottish Flair” to go with the festivities. Starts at 6:30pm

Stub & Herb’s: Minneapolis Kickoff for Odell Brewing Company. Meet Doug Odell and the brewery team for the first official tapping of an Odell Firkin for the city of Minneapolis. Stub & Herb’s will also feature 6 other Odell beers on tap including 90 Shilling, 5 Barrel Pale Ale, IPA, St. Lupulin, Bourbon Barrel Stout, and the new Saboteur. Starts at 7:00pm

The Happy Gnome: St. Paul’s Kickoff for Odell Brewing Company. Meet Doug Odell and the brewery team for the first official tapping of an Odell Firkin for the city of St. Paul. The Happy Gnome will also feature 6 other Odell beers on tap including 90 Shilling, 5 Barrel Pale Ale, IPA, St. Lupulin, Bourbon Barrel Stout, and the new Saboteur. Starts at 7:30pm

Tuesday, May 4

Princeton Liquors: In-store tasting, right in Maple Grove there is a great little craft beer store. Odell Sampling, brewery Founder Doug Odell and You! 4:30pm-6:00pm

Four Firkins: In store tasting. Come down to St. Louis Park, meet Doug Odell and sample some Odell brews. 6:00pm-7:00pm

Zipps Beer Tasting Extravaganza at the Minneapolis Eagles Club: Meet some of the Odell crew as they sample of some of their great beers along side some other great craft brewers.  Tickets available at Zipps Liquors, Local Wine Events, or at the door. 6:30pm-9:00pm

The Muddy Pig: Beer dinner with Doug Odell from 7:30 pm – 9 pm The Muddy Pig will be featuring 7 Odell beers on draft including 90 Shilling, 5 Barrel Pale Ale, IPA, St. Lupulin, Bourbon Barrel Stout, and the new Saboteur. They will also have a Firkin of Odell to round out the 7 beers.

Wednesday, May 5

St. Anthony Village Wine and Spirits (Village Store): In store tasting.  It’s beer school night at SAV! Meet your friendly neighborhood Odell Rep and find your new favorite Odell beer! Starts at 4:00pm

Heritage Liquor: In Store Tasting.  All you western Wisconsinites, this is your chance to taste the Odell beers!  Make the short drive to this East Metro location and get your Odell on! Last chance for kickoff week to taste beer with brewery founder Doug Odell, come on out! 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Busters on 28^th: Join Doug Odell and his crew for 7 Odell beers on draft featuring 90 Shilling, 5 Barrel Pale Ale, IPA, St. Lupulin, Bourbon Barrel Stout, and the new Saboteur. Buster’s will also be “Busting” out a Firkin of Odell for this great South Minneapolis craft beer bar! 4:00pm – 6:00pm

“Cinc Odell Mayo” Pub Crawl: Tiffany’s, Shamrock’s, Groveland Tap, & Eagle Street: Join these four great St. Paul fun spots and help support a great local charity! All proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Heartland! Let’s have some fun and put a “Colorado twist” to this Mexican holiday! $20 gets you bus transportation, souvenir cup, and $2.50 Odell drafts in your cup from 7 – 11 p.m. at all locations. Meet the founder Doug Odell along the way and enjoy a pint with him and his crew. Salut!

Thursday, May 6

South Lyndale Liquor: In Store Tasting. Come taste Odell Brewing Co.’s finest with Brewer extraordinaire Joe Mohrfeld. 4:30pm – 5:30pm

Blue Max: In Store tasting.  An Odell Brewing rep will be your guide to tasting beers from Odell Brewing, the latest craft brewery to come to Minnesota. 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Longfellow Grill: Join Odell Brewer extraordinaire Joe Mohrfeld and other brewery reps for an evening of Odell beers and patio fun with an Odell Happy Hour from 4-8 p.m. The first 250 to show up will get Odell souvenir cups to put their beer in! $3.00 Odell drafts and great camaraderie to be had by all! 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Nomad World Pub: Watch for the Odell team to be stopping in the Nomad to share a few pints and maybe even be challenged to a Bocce Ball game or two! We will be stopping in to enjoy some of our great beers on draft and maybe a surprise brew to go along with them. Starts at 9:00p.m.

Acadia Cafe: What can you say about this West Bank craft beer mecca? FRENCH FRIES and great craft beer! Pretty hard to beat that combination and the Odell Crew will be stopping by to enjoy both! Fresh off Acadia Café being named Best French Fries in the City Pages “Best of the Twin Cities” issue we feel honored to be sharing space on draft to enhance the whole French fry experience! Come have a couple pints with us and rumor has it there is going to be a special Odell beer on draft that pairs great with those garlic and vinegar bathed beauties! Starts around 9:00pm

Friday, May 7

Surdyk’s: In Store Tasting. The NE Minneapolis landmark will host an Odell Brewing Co. tasting event.  Be sure to come down either Friday or Saturday and meet an Odell Rep, and try all the Odell Beers. 11:00am-7:30pm

Grumpy’s-Downtown: It’s FIRKIN lunch time I said at Grumpy’s on Wash! Join Odell brewer extraordinaire Joe Mohrfeld for a tapping of an Odell firkin and kick off your weekend with a firkin good lunch! We will be tapping that bad boy at high noon so we hope you can get in and have a little firkin fun on your lunch hour for a change! 12:00pm – High Noon!

Grumpy’s- NE: It’s FIRKIN FRIDAY in Northeast! Here’s your opportunity to enjoy a different version of an Odell firkin than what we had for lunch at Grumpy’s-Downtown and let your hair down after that wicked work week! Stop in for a pint and introduce yourself to the Odell crew and help us wind down from our Odell kickoff week. 4:00- 6:00pm

Mac’s Industrial: Meet up with the Odell crew and help us get the weekend going by enjoying 3 different Odell brews on draft. Come on in and vote for your favorite and help Jimmy and Mike decide what they will keep on tap. Our yard sign says vote for all three! Starts at 6-ish!

Pracna on Main: Did someone say a van down by the river? Watch for the Odell crew to be climbing out of ours to enjoy some Odell drafts at his St. Anthony Main institution! Word has it when the sun shines down here people have fun! We have fun no matter what, so show up rain or shine and enjoy a pint with us! Starts around 7-ish!

Saturday, May 8

Blue Plate Restaurant Company – Highland Grill, Longfellow Grill, Edina Grill, and 3 Squares: Can you say Kegs and Eggs? We can! Stop on by on your way to the baseball game at that new stadium and enjoy an Odell inspired breakfast to get your day started off right! The Blue Plate Restaurant Company’s award winning Chef Trevis has created a breakfast utilizing Odell Brewing’s award winning 90 Shilling in his creation.

The breakfast is a whole grain mustard frittata with Tillamook cheddar & Stracchino cheese.  Served with grilled home fries & 90 Shilling Ale braised bratwurst.  Of course, this breakfast would not be complete without a glass of Odell 90 Shilling all for the bargain price of $9.95. We will have some of our crew at each location to answer any questions that you might have about the Odell brewery or our great beers. See you bright and early! (Check the website for individual store location hours)

Surdyk’s: In Store Tasting. The NE Minneapolis landmark will host an Odell Brewing Co. tasting event.  Be sure to come down either Friday or Saturday and meet an Odell Rep, and try all the Odell Beers. 11:00am – 7:30pm

France 44: In Store Tasting.  Come down and meet Odell Brewer, Joe Mohrfeld, and taste Odell Beers. 2:00pm -5:00pm

Dennis Brothers: All you western Wisconsinites, this is your chance to taste the Odell beers!  Make the short drive to Cottage Grove and meet an Odell Rep and Taste the beers you can’t get over the eastern border! 4:00pm-6:00pm

Groveland Tap: It’s Firkin Saturday at the craft beer gem of the Blue Plate Restaurant Company! Join Odell brewer extraordinaire Joe Mohrfeld as we tap a unique Odell firkin and we pull the pump. Help us wind down on our final night of Odell kickoff week with a nice cask conditioned ale! Starts at 6:00pm!

But, if she was to claim one place as home … it would be New York.

So here is the deal: I grew up in NY, just 60 miles north of NYC. My parents still live in the Hudson Valley. My father commutes to White Plains every day for work.

Naturally, I have a bit of New York pride in me. So when I discovered Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. during Great American Beer Festival 2009, I was excited. Okay, so maybe I fell in love with Captain Lawrence. But it was not for its NY location, but for its awesome beer.

It happens.

I met Scott Vaccarro during GABF. He kind of, sort of, almost remembers meeting me. But then, he also admits being “slightly intoxicated” during GABF. Which is completely acceptable. After all, what happens at GABF… stays at GABF.

Scott is doing phenomenal things, not just for the New York beer scene, but for the craft beer scene in general — as I am sure you all know. Captain Lawrence has won the Gold at GABF for two years now in the American Sours category, which is a category extremely coveted at this time. They are also dabbling in several barrel-aged experiments.

But what people don’t know, is that Captain Lawrence produces amazing classic beer styles as well. Case and point? The Kölsch.

As fate would have it, I was visiting the State of New York for the Great Lakes Craft Brewers & Water Conservation Workshop (yeah, that’s a mouthful). The trip ended up being ended and I had the opportunity to visit my parents in “down-state” NY (yes, there is such a thing as down-state NY … despite what all those Manhattan brats will tell you). And just around that very time, Captain Lawrence was releasing its exmtrely coveted Rosso E Marrone.

Technically, Rosso E Marrone is considered to be an American Sour “fermented with grapes and aged in oak barrels.” From what I understand, the base beer is a standard brown ale. The beer spends about two years in oak wine barrels and then an additional 6 months in the bottle before it finally ready to be released. Grape juice was incorporated into the beer after about one year in the barrel — which adds to its complexity.

Don’t ask me how I was one of the first people in the door that day and left without a single bottle of Rosso. What can I say? The Wench gets distracted very easily.

I met a bunch of fellow bloggers in the sunny, yet extremely chilly (errrr 20 degrees) parking lot of Captain Lawrence around 9AM. Most of them had been there since 8am. Seeing as I had just driven 5 hours from Syracuse to my parents house and did not get to sleep until 2AM, getting up early that morning was a bit hard. And CL is at least an hour (with no traffic) from my parents house.

Prior to arriving, I received ample warning from both the head brewer, Scott Vaccaro, and assistant brewer, Rich Baker. I anticipated some sort of line, full of hardcore beer geeks. But I did not anticipate a full blown-out tailgating party.

After what seemed like an endless drive with my father When I arrived, the CL parking lot was buzzing with 200 plus slightly intoxicated, shivering, yet very happy people.

Since I knew that we weren’t allowed in the brewery till 10AM (on the dot), I had chilled down some non-NY beers the nights before — couple of Russian River Supplications, The Bruery’s White Oak and Bar Harbor’s Cadillac Mountain Stout.

Although my parents can drink me under the table, they opted not to attend the crazy beer release. And I don’t blame them. While I know they recognize and appreciate good booze when they see it (my parents are brats … ahem … wonder where I got it from?), I also know that they are a bit “beyond” camping out in parking lots and waiting on ridiculous lines just to get a taste of the “hottest new trend.”

There is one exception (maybe two exceptions) to this rule. And that is Ohio State football. My Dad will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, for Ohio State football. I think he would have given me up for adoption on the Black Market as a child just to score a ticket to the MCHGAN game. There were times that my Dad visited me while I was attending OSU, and I know he had a better time partying than I did. While I was busy being a good student and dedicated athlete, my own father was attending tailgating parties and drinking at campus bars. Ahhh… those were the days.

When my Dad witnessed the craziness of the CL parking lot, he opted to drop me off instead of join me in the debaucheries that ultimately ensued. And so, I dragged myself … my mini cooler of craft beer, my over night bag, and my entire case of Supplication … out of the car and proceeded to search for my, until then, virtual friends from the Twitter and beer blogging realm.

The friends were easy to find. I was naturally drawn to the crowd that had two kegs, a grill loaded with bacon, and a beer pong table.

I was pleasantly greeted by a cup (plastic to be exact– deal with it, we were in a freaking parking lot) of Rodenbach Grand Cru. Not a bad reception, if I do say so myself.

That morning (for quite possibly the first time in my life) I made heads turn. While I would love to say that my awkwardly unattractive self attracted the attention of everyone I passed by, it would be a lie. In my hands I carried a case of Russian River Supplication — what some people may consider “The Holy Grail” of beers … and I had a case of it … in New York … which was UNHEARD of.

The case of Supplication was for the assistant brewer of Captain Lawrence, Rich Baker. And it subsequently got me into the brewery before anyone else on the line. By then, my feet were numb. My fingers were frozen. I had barely enough beer to warm my insides.

But all my troubles melted away as I was literally fed tasters upon tasters of Captain Lawrence beer. Luckily, the first beer I was given to taste was the Kölsch, and because of that, I can vividly recall all of my tasting notes.

Most over-saturated and over-stimulated American beer drinking palates have a hard time acknowledging and enjoying the more “simpler” styles. It is a shame, but can we really blame them? After all, it is the American way — bigger, stronger, bolder = better. Right? Right? Okay … so this is a debate for another time.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Kölsch, it happens to be a very unique and rather intriguing style. The style originated in Cologne, Germany. The Kölsch is made using pale malts (or German Pils malt) and it is highly attenuated, clear and hoppy (Noble hops, though –either Hallertau, Tettnang, Spalt or Hersbrucker). But the most important aspect of a Kölsch is its fermentation process.

The Kölsch is an odd beer because it is fermented with ale yeast (specifically Kölsch yeast, if you want to get technical) at cooler than average temperatures. Post fermentation, the beer is lagered for at least one month before serving.

Captain Lawrence’s Kölsch was pale gold in color with a brilliant clarity and a delicate head that dissipated rather quickly. It was was medium-bodied, crisp, clean and very well attenuated. To me, it was perfect.

For there, the beers get more an more blurry. There were lots of beers, lots of laughs, lots of crazy stuff … and lots of pictures.

I do vividly remember four of the beers, though. Westie 12 reared its ugly head … I mean showed its beautiful face. And it was glorious. I took a “nap” with an Oak-aged YETI (numbered and all) on some bags of malt. I had the rare opportunity to taste a 14 year old Lambic from Canada. And the whip cream on the sundae? I got to taste the Rosso E Morrone at Captain Lawrence.

A fellow beer blogger/connoisseur in our group decided that he would be freaking awesome and open a bottle of the super limited and nationally coveted Rosso.

Verdict? Freaking amazing. Sour, fruity, oaky … super delicious.

In summation, the morning/early afternoon at Captain Lawrence was epic. Epically awesome.

BeerVoice, currently in beta, is a simple and straightforward way for users to collectively share their opinions on the beers that we drink everyday. The front page of the site greets you with a search bar, a rotating list of featured beers, and a list of the most recently written reviews. Type the name of a beer or brewer in the search bar to get your next list of beers or reviews. At this point, many have likened it to the simplicity of Twitter. It’s true. Each review on BeerVoice has a maximum of 500 characters, and the choice of adding one of six face icons as a tally for your final score.

Even this early in the game, BeerVoice looks to have a large database of beers waiting to be reviewed. Each beer has its own page with an ABV rating, a link to other beers of the same style, a link to the brewer, and a list of all reviews for the beer. It pulls together most of the basic information one would need for a given beer, and displays it in a visually digestible way.

I very much look forward in seeing how this website will grow, and how the beer community might support it. I certainly have my ideas on how users could benefit from this site, especially if a few more features were implemented; that can wait for another time. It’s easy to sign-up and to start following others, so I definitely encourage you to browse the site for awhile. The reviews certainly came en masse tonight and they will hopefully continue at a constant rate.

As an example, here’s a link to my profile with a few reviews already posted. If you join, feel free to follow me.

• Brau Bros will be featured on KSTP’s 10pm news this Sunday night.  Jason Davis, from “On the Road with Jason Davis” was in Lucan doing a segment about the brewery and the town.  It should be re-aired Monday during the 11-12 noon news, and Tuesday during Twin Cities Live.

• Rainwater Oak-Aged Stout is still in the works.  They are very impatiently awaiting final label approval from the TTB.  When they get word, they’ll ship.  Dustin is hoping it happens within a week’s time.

• Elisha’s Olde Ale was brewed on Dec 5, and it is progressing nicely.  Done as a group brew, with help from South Dakota’s very knowledgeable home brewers and some Minnesota volunteers as well, they’re anxiously waiting for this one.  It’ll get a few weeks on oak and possibly get a late-winter release. Dustin hypothesizes most of this will go to South Dakota, as Elisha, the homebrewer who won the contest, is a SoDak resident.

• The Braus shipped their first kegs of Cream Stout Nitro.  This is something new for the holidays, and it layers perfectly on Sheephead.  They call it a Black Sheep.  Dustin tells us to ask for it wherever you see a cool looking stout faucet.

• Finally, if you’re in the area or passing through on the way to Grandmother’s house over the holidays, stop in and visit the Brau Brothers!  Call or shoot him an email to set up a tour.  City folk are always welcome and as always, plenty of free parking!

We’re getting ready to release Brau Bros. Rainwater Stout.  Definitely one of our bigger beers.  Clocks in at just under 10% ABV.  Brewed late this summer, this ale spent months on Madeira Oak for added complexity.  Something a bit new for us, it will be bottled in 750mL bottles.  Look for a release early in December.

I’m excited to try this beer and see how it does. Some of my favorite dark beers come out of Minnesota, and the Brau Brothers have had a good track record with me lately (Ringneck Braun, Sheephead, and Old 56). Further, it looks like there is a planned get-together for a group brew of the South Dakota Homebrewers Challenge winner.

December 5th, a group-brew here at the brewery.  We’ll be brewing Elisha’s Old Ale.  For those not in the know, a terrific homebrewer submitted this beer for the South Dakota Homebrewers Challenge and it was a unanimous winner.  We’ll brew and age a single batch which will go on tap at all the participating bars and restaurants in South Dakota.  Just guessing it will be ready to be tapped later this winter.  Everyone is welcome to help brew, however please email me an rsvp so I have a rough idea of turnout.  We’ll supply lunch and maybe we’ll have a beer, who knows.

Of course you can always check up on the latest from Brau Brothers at braubeer.com or on Twitter with @BrauBeer.

If you are a gueuze fan, or are interested in trying one for your first time, it is a very reasonably-priced opportunity to sample a beer usually found in 750mL bottles, at select craft beer stores.

Here it is, gang, the final line-up for the final weekend of the Blue Nile’s 20th Anniversary celebration. It’s a reprise of last year’s Ale Saint’s Day, which fell on Nov. 1, All Saint’s Day. Since that day is a Sunday, and this Saturday is Halloween … it’ll be called Ale Hollow’s Eve… and start the day before.

Surly Darkness 2008 Surly Darkness 2009 Bell’s Expedition Stout 2008 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 2008 Bell’s Rye Stout Nogne-Ø Porter, from Norway (only keg in the state!) Sinebrychoff Porter, from Finland (also very rare) Troubador Obscura Stout, from Belgium Founders Breakfast Stout Flat Earth Black Helicopter Coffee Stout Southern Tier Oat Imperial Oatmeal Stout Lion Stout, from Sri Lanka North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout Surly Bender Tyranena The Devil Made Me Do It Coffe Imperial Porter Summit Great Northern Porter

Also, we’re kicking off with a firkin of Surly Furious dry-hopped with Simcoe.

Plus, anyone arriving in costume any of the three days, gets a pint on the house! Starts 4 pm, Friday!

Cheers, Al

For those of you who can’t make the trek to Brooklyn Center, maybe you can check out one of the Darkness Draft release parties:

• October 26th – Hell’s Kitchen – Minneapolis, MN – 7:00
• November 4th – Sheffields Bar – Chicago, IL – 7:00
• November 9th – Gunflint Tavern – Grand Marais, MN – 7:00
• November 17th – Monks – Sioux Falls, SD – 7:00

Common Roots Café in Minneapolis also reported they will be having a keg available the week following Darkness Day. Check them out on Twitter for more details.

[via Surly Brewing Company]

Important event details:

• Saturday – October 24th,  noon – 6:00 pm
• Rain or Shine or Cold or Snow. Dress accordingly.
• At the brewery, Ducharme Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN
• Food available for purchase. CASH ONLY
• Beers (for drinking) will be available for purchase. CASH ONLY

An additional 2500 bottles of Darkness will go on sale at local liquor stores starting the week of November 2nd.

Information regarding sales of Darkness:

• Gates open at noon
• 1st 800 people will get a wristband to purchase up to 6 bottles.
• $18 per bottle – CASH ONLY!
• Bottle sales from noon-6:00

Thanks to Brooklyn Center Liquors for selling the beer on Darkness Day. Per state liquor laws, they cannot sell beer to people that are intoxicated!

Where to park:

• Parking will be available around the brewery
• Volunteers will direct you to the open parking areas
• Overflow parking is available at Caribou Coffee located @ 100 & France.

Entertainment at the brewery:

• 1:00 – Kruddler
• 2:30 – God Came From Space
• 4:00 – Rockford Mules Exact times subject to change

I hope Mike and I will see you there! I know Brad from Hop Cast will be making a trek up North with a few of the Chicago #gents. Be sure to ping me on Twitter or FourSquare!