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>

Some of the festivities, detailed in the recent email from Jeff:

• Porterfest begins this week with Xanadu – orange infused porter. They will be doing an infusion of Cygnus X-1 every week until the end of the year, bringing back some of your favorites from last year. They’ve also added four new infusions. These will be growler only.

• They will be open on the 24th & 25th instead of the 26th for Thanksgiving. It will be a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving atmosphere at the brewery that week.

• Be sure to visit Jeff and the Flat Earth team at The Cherokee Tavern in West St. Paul on November 9th for Meet Yer Maker night, featuring special pricing on Flat Earth beer.

• There are 2 tours scheduled for this month, November 7th & the 21st at 4 pm. No reservations needed. Please bring a valid photo ID.

You can follow the coming & goings of the brewery on Facebook & Twitter.

Cheers! Jeff & Cathie Williamson Flat Earth Brewing Company

In celebration of #ipamonday, Shawn and I were able to record a 4-way IPA blind taste test episode in St. Paul. Truly this showdown was inspired by the ability to review multiple beers in person with each other, and since the list grew long, we decided to review all the brews in a blind tasting. The beers we review, in no particular order, are the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (not available in Minnesota), Two Hearted Ale by Bell’s Brewery (not available in Iowa), Northwest Passage of Flat Earth Brewing in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an “IPA” from Barley John’s – a brewpub in New Brighton, Minnesota. Of course, leading the discussion is the history behind the IPA (India Pale Ale), it’s current status in the craft beer culture, and how these different styles stack up to the common notions of an IPA. If you’ve had any or all of these beers, we would love to hear your thoughts. Of course, we are still open for discussion on different brewery’s interpretations of the modern IPA. Thanks for listening this week everyone, cheers!

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – 60 Minute IPA Style: India Pale Ale ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 6.0% IBU: 60

Bell’s Brewery – Two Hearted Ale Style: American IPA ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 7.1% IBU: Approximately 50

Flat Earth Brewing Company – Northwest Passage IPA Style: India Pale Ale ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 6.5% IBU: 115

Barley John’s Brew Pub – Stockyard IPA (?) Style: India Pale Ale ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 6.8% IBU: n/a

The Beer Genome Project #21 Show Notes

0:00-2:23 – Introduction 2:23-8:05 – Synopsis of IPAs 8:05-11:26 - Beer #1 11:26-14:23 – Beer #2 14:23-17:31 – Beer #3 17:31-19:48 – Beer #4 19:48-25:44 – The Reveal 25:44-33:10 – IPA Discussion 33:10-35:50 – Conclusion

The Flat Earth Brewing website has been improved, and will detail the fine craft beers (and now, sodas) available each Tuesday and Thursday. You can visit each Tuesday and Thursday, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, to sample some of the newest, most exclusive offerings in the state, as well as exchange (or purchase your first) growler to take home and enjoy.

Some events Flat Earth where will be participating:

• August 6th – Visit the Cedar Cultural Center for Flat Earth Night featuring live music by Jon Rodine and the Cattails. Happy hour pricing on Element 115!
• August 8th – Head to Station 4 at 9 PM, check out the Rush tribute band Exit Stage Right. Rumor has it they’ll have Cygnus X-1 on tap. (Rush is Jeff’s favorite band, and the inspiration behind the names of many brews).
• August 9th – they will be participating in the Fresh Taste Fest at historic Nicollet Island Pavilion.
• August 11th – Head to the Electric Fetus at 6:30 PM. Stop by for live music by The Pines, Flat Earth beer and some munchies from The Wedge co-op.
• August 14th – Jump over to the Minnesota Zoo for Brew at the Zoo for Flat Earth beer and music by G.B. Leighton.
• August 14th – Join People Serving People (PSP), on their sixth annual Strike Out Homelessness event taking place at the Metrodome. 4:30-7:00 PM. Pre-game party at The Metrodome Picnic Pavilion (near gate D).
• August 22nd – Stop over to the brewery for a formal tour, starting at 4 PM. Tasting and sales to follow.
• Starting August 22nd, head to Shakopee for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Every weekend through October. Belgian Pale ale will be available at: King’s Pub, Royal Pub, Blue Lion Tent & The Foaming Stein.
• August 29th & 30th – free beer tastings during Highland Fling Weekend at the Renaissance Festival!

Hope to see you out at some of our events as we enjoy the last of the great summer weather. – Jeff & Cathie Williamson

After a guest appearance on a video review for the Beer Genome Project, BGP friend Jake is finally able to share an on-air review with Shawn. In this podcast, the two give their reviews of Flat Earth Brewing Company’s Element 115 lager (unfiltered) and Oskar Blues Brewing’s Ten*Fidy Russian Imperial Stout.

Later in the podcast, Jake and Shawn discuss their personal beer style journeys, from light American lager to their present craft beers.

00:00-1:17 – Introduction 1:18-7:59 – Flat Earth Brewing Company’s Element 115 lager (unfiltered) 8:00-15:23 – Oskar Blues Brewing Company’s Ten*Fidy Russian Imperial Stout 15:24-25:36 – Weekly Discussion 25:37-34:10 – Conclusion

This video is of Jeff Williamson, co-founder and head brewer at Flat Earth Brewing Company. He explains a bit about the brewing process for the 8 beers they offer. Also, Jeff details distribution aspects of the company, talking about The Taste of Minnesota festival happening this week in Saint Paul. He takes questions from the tour group about the brewery’s origins, why he decided to brew, and more. I hope you enjoy this video, my first utilization of Vimeo to integrate my own video content into our blog.

Jeff speaks about Flat Earth from Shawn Horton on Vimeo.

A bit of informal on-the-scene reporting on my behalf. Check the responses:

Initial thoughts on the tour from Shawn Horton on Vimeo.

More footage while waiting in line. Don’t judge; it is our first attempt at utilizing media in our blog.

Almost inside Flat Earth Brewing from Shawn Horton on Vimeo.