MN Beer Fun

Since my return to MN, I've been making my way around all the best beer spots. This includes new-to-me watering holes like the Muddy Pig and Green Mill brewpub in St. Paul and Dennis Bros. Liquors in Cottage Grove.

The real beer excitement of week has been Surly's new offering, Bitter Brewer. It's a lighter, English style called a "bitter," but with an American craft beer twist (more hops). It blew my mind with the layering of flavors, from juicy hops to subtle malt and vanilla.

And yeah, that bike is sweet, I wish I know who's it was. It uses a Surly (bike maker, not brewer) frame and note the front disc brake.

Sprecher Mai Bock - A highly potable mix of light grains, with fruit and hops spice.

Green Mill Big Island Porter - Very smooth, but that flavor is a touch unwhelming.

Green Mill Honey Brown Ale - Not too sweet like the JW Dundee's Honey Brown, nothing special but a good pairing for a meal at Green Mill.

Green Mill Grand Marais - A nicely balanced pale ale of citris hops and biscuit-like malt.

Green Mill Kabeelo Lodge Lager - This pale all-malt lager was the star of the sampler. Big malts with complimentary hops.

Monk's Flemish Sour Red Ale - Not as complex as most sour ales, but pleasant and good starting sour ale for anyone interested in wild ales.

Avery New World Porter - Hops + Chocolate = Yum

Bob's '47 Munich Style Lager - A good example of amber lager brewed with German traditions.

Miller High Life - What? I was at a bowling alley, come on. Not bad for the style, fairly clean for a macro lager without many off-flavors. Still not recommended unless you like cheap-tasting beer.

7 Bridges Brown Ale - Lake Superior Brewing can do better. It was all right, but more like an amber ale than a brown.