A Beerploma Taproom Tour: Fair State Brewing Cooperative

There are plenty of places in the city to and get a beer.  However, in the last five years, the focus has turned from places to get a beer to places where you really want to go to get a beer.  The drinking options in the midst of the Twin Cities taproom explosion have increased in a staggering way.  As places continue to open, it becomes more and more about providing drinkers with great beer to drink, but also an atmosphere that is conducive to enjoying the company of others as they drink craft beer.

Fair State Brewing Cooperative has been open for just about six months and provides craft beer drinkers with unique and delicious beers.  Fair State also fosters a wonderful craft beer drinking community with a co-op membership that is over 600 strong and growing.

Lets start with the look of the taproom.  The exposed brick and long, beautiful bar give the taproom a very comfortable feel.  The bar was made of the reclaimed wood from the original building.  The uniqueness and high quality of the bar allow for plenty of seating, as it stretches far down at least half the length of the taproom.  The layout is perfect for meeting people and having great conversation.  There are windows that allow you to see into the brewhouse.  The bathroom is down a hallway and on the wall of that corridor the words, "Drink like you own the place" are painted.  That statement speaks volumes about the experience that the founders of the brewery want their patrons to have.

Fair State Brewing Cooperative was founded by three college friends, Evan Sallee, Niko Tonks and Matthew Hauck, who all have shared an interest in beer dating back to 2002 when they met in college.  The cooperative nature of the business stems from a desire to connect good people with good beer.  The state of MN has a very high number of cooperative businesses ranging from farm shares to places to shop for groceries, so a cooperative brewery seemed like something that would work well.  As of 2-19-15, Fair State had over 600 members, a number that has far exceeded what they initially projected.  The membership benefits include, but are not limited to voting on different beer styles every couple of months.  Members also enjoy Happy Hour prices ($1.00 off pints and $.50 off half-pints) all day on Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 4-7pm.  Recently, a Fair State Brewing Cooperative-themed Members Only jacket became a perk for signing up!

Fair State's beers are the deft and nuanced concoctions of Head Brewer, Nico Tonks.  Nico started at Jester King Brewing and Live Oak Brewing in Austin, TX, where he learned the art of brewing continental lagers and wheat beers.  The availability of local ingredients often dictates what is brewed.  Although, Pilsner is the favorite style of the taproom and their version is on-point.  In addition to lagers, they also brew ales and will usually have a nice selection of each on tap.  One of the things I was especially impressed with was their sour beer, Lactobac 1.  Their barrel aging program is expanding and in the future, there will be more and more delicious barrel aged selections to enjoy.

Groucho Marx once said, "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."  Fair State Brewing Cooperative's passion for beer combined with the amazing community being fostered there might cause him to rethink his prolific statement.  The options for drinking good beer in the Twin Cities and beyond are great, but finding a place with this type of inviting atmosphere is not as easy.  Fair State has hit all the marks, so get there and try the amazing drinking experience for yourself.  Prost!

Valentine's Day Lovin' - Get a Taproom!

Once again February has come around, and with it Valentine’s Day. And unfortunately, for some, this can cause a bit of distress. What should we do, where should we go to celebrate? Should we celebrate? What if I buy someone a gift and they don’t like it? What if my gift is totally inappropriate for what we have going on? Oh God, what do we have going on? Do we classify it, quantify it, or just have a little fun? Should I have gotten reservations? I can’t make reservations because everyone booked a table last year! How was I supposed to know I’d meet someone and actually have a dinner companion? I can’t predict that! I’m used to eating alone damn it! And what would we do after dinner? Oh God, if there’s an after. I’ve probably already blown it and won’t even be able to get a date for coffee! Slow down lover pants, and let me help you out for 2015. I did a little bit of research again this year and I’ve got a few suggestions for a great day or night out for you and a special friend (or friends, I don’t judge). It doesn’t involve reservations, messy foods, or rude overworked waiters. Take it easy, take some notes, and let me show you how you can impress your love with some local chocolates and a trip out to some great twin cities tap rooms.

If beer pairings aren’t new to you, you already know how well chocolates and beers can go together. If you are new to beer pairings, you probably think I’ve lost it. Yes, everyone knows that you can make a chocolate stout cake, and that’s great. But chocolate, like beer, comes in such great variety that you really should take a chance and explore pairing your sweets with your beers, especially chocolate. Play around with the flavors and in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, do some experimenting. Surprise yourselves a little and step outside your box. The worst that can happen is you find something you won’t want to try again. The best thing that could happen? You’ll enjoy something new with your partner. Besides, experimenting is fun, isn’t it?

If you’re looking for a taproom with a little more of a romantic feel, I suggest hitting up Steel Toe Brewing. You’ll find that their tap room can be pretty romantic! Its lighting is on the low side, perfect for setting a close and personal mood. I like to sit at the bar on the back wall, and with my back to the rest of the room, create my own privacy to enjoy my company.  On your way stop off at The Drooling Moose and grab some of their Malted Milk Boulders. The Drooling Moose makes their version of malted milk balls in super-sized form. These are huge, roughly the size of a quarter, and covered in ¼ inch of sweet milk chocolate. Order yourselves a couple pints of Steel Toe’s Dissent and enjoy how the malty sweetness of the beer melts the malted center of the chocolates in your mouth. The milk chocolate in turn enhances the smooth, creamy mouth feel you’ll get from the beer. If there’s a downside to these chocolates it’s only that they’ll ruin whoppers for you forever. If you really enjoy yourselves, make sure to grab some growlers to go, and continue your party in an even more intimate setting.

I next headed over to Big Wood Brewery for a glass of the tried and true Morning Wood Coffee Stout. This stout has an incredible kick of coffee flavor with sweet chocolaty notes. My pick for a great compliment chocolate is one of my favorites, milk chocolate toffee. I stopped off in Arden Hills at a place new to me, Sweet Chocolat. You will absolutely love how their toffee breaks apart into crunchy, buttery chunks in your mouth. It pairs perfectly with the Morning Wood, the other enhancing the best parts of its companion. Isn’t that what is perfect about so many great relationships throughout time? We should all be so lucky to fine someone who bring out the best in us, yet still showcases just how awesome they are in their own right. The tap room at Big Wood works great for new and more established couples as well. There’s plenty of intimate seating off the sides of the room if you’re looking to spend some quieter time together. Not sure if you can handle that level of closeness? Enjoy your treats at the larger tables in the middle of the room, or at the centralized bar area. And if toffee isn’t your bag, check out the incredible selection of molded chocolate shapes Sweet Chocolat has to offer. Their Valentine’s Day selection blew me away, with everything from traditional hearts to anatomically correct hearts. One of my favorite offerings was the anatomical lungs packaged with the following – ‘You take my breath away’. How can you not love that sense of loving humor? Or for the more adventurous, try the chocolate hand cuffs on for size. See how much fun you can have with your Morning Wood and chocolate this Valentine’s Day.

But what if you’re feeling really adventurous? Then I suggest you and your date go get ‘funked up’ at Bent Brewstillery. Bent is quickly making a name for themselves with their funked up series of sour beers, each a little different, each an incredible way to try a new beer profile that you might not be familiar with. I myself love sour beers and I’m always curious to see what Bent has been up to with this series. Right now they have their Belgian Berlin Ur-Bock on tap and I highly recommend it. This is a beer reminiscent of a Berliner Weisse so if you like a slightly more wine like beer, give it a try. You might think that finding a chocolate pairing for this would be hard, but if you’ve had this style beer before you’ll know that it pairs quite well with fruity flavors. I actually found a great one for you to try at the nearby Roseville Mall in the Godiva store. Pick yourselves up a tin (or bag) of their Strawberry Cheesecake Truffles and prepare to have your mind blown away. The strawberry will help to pull the fruitiness out of the beer while the cheesecake layer tempers it with a slightly creaminess to counteract the sour in just the slightest way. Yes darling, opposites can and do attract and will make for some of the best experiences of your life. You’ll have a blast in their gorgeous tap room with plenty of seating to hide away in a corner. Or make sure to head over on a night when they have a local band playing and do some dancing! Their knowledgeable and friendly beertenders will make sure you have everything you need so you can concentrate on making sure your date has everything they need. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Also, they will be releasing a new beer on Valentine's Day at the taproom. Uber Lupin Shwarz IPA. You could experience something brand new with your date!

So when you’re making plans for Valentine’s Day remember to think outside the standard chocolate boxes and wine that every store is offering. Hit up your local tap rooms and chocolate shops for some new and fun ideas to show your date. Experiment a little bit and try some new things this year. Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be stressful, especially when you have so many great options to choose from! Your date with love it, and if you’re lucky and buy enough chocolate they’ll probably love you before the night is over. Send them home with their own growler, you just might get a proposal out of the deal.


www.steeltoebrewing.com
www.droolinmoose.com
www.bigwoodbrewery.com
www.mysweetchocolat.com
www.bentbrewstillery.com
www.godiva.com

Insight Brewing Company is open for business!

On Friday, November 21st, Insight Brewing Company officially opened its doors to the masses of avid craft beer drinkers.  They served up their beers and welcomed people to a new great place in the twin cities to enjoy a pint and a laugh.  It is hard to believe that this is the same place where only seven weeks ago, they were pouring samples out of one serving cooler in the back and serving beers on a rough wooden bar.  Amazing is the only way to truly describe what they have turned this space into.

From the unique light fixtures to the artwork on the walls, this taproom has a remarkably cozy feel for being as big as it is.  The bow-shaped bar gives patrons a nice place to belly up and enjoy their drinks and conversations.  The light fixtures have character and have a nice, warm softness to them as opposed to a more sterile fluorescent brightness.  There are a nice mix of high-top and traditional tables depending on what one prefers.  Many people really were impressed with the Insight sign on the red brick wall that separates the taproom from the brewery.  It is a very nice artistic feature that adds a special feel to the taproom.

For the grand opening, despite the fact that there was a huge crowd, people had enough space to feel comfortable and move around.  They had overflow space in the brewery where they set up leather couches for people to sit and watch the owners serving beer from firkins while they mingled with guests.  Several people in our group really appreciated the fact that the taproom did not feel tight.  There are several taprooms in the area that can feel somewhat claustrophobic when they are at capacity and Insight will not have to worry about that.  The high ceilings and different places for groups to congregate make it a very pleasant spatial experience.

The people who decided to join the Insight Passport Club saw the benefits of that decision paying off right away.  The separate line for Passport Club members alleviates a glut of people just standing at the bar and keeps lines moving smoothly.  

The five beers they had on tap included the Chiswick Porter, Curiosity IPA, Saison De Blanc and their flagship, the Lamb and Flag, an English Premium Bitter.  They also have a taproom exclusive Yuzu Pale Ale.  The beers embody the global feel of the brewery and will keep people coming back for more.  The roasted malt character of the Chiswick Porter, the sessionable nature of the Lamb and Flag and the refreshing cleanness of the Yuzu Pale Ale made me really happy that I decided to join the Passport Club.  I will no doubt be drinking more of these two favorites as well to the other beers they have.

It was an incredibly welcoming sensation to have all four of the co-owners out and about throughout the night.  They were shaking hands and chatting about their beer.  They are all affable and approachable individuals and that is something that goes a long way with the customers.  I approached Eric Schmidt and he recognized me from the open house and greeted me with a warm smile and a hearty handshake.  The energy radiating off of him as he reveled in this great evening was inspiring.  I also got a chance to speak briefly with Ilan Klages-Mundt and his passion for beer knows no limits.  He is very passionate about applying the beer knowledge he learned in his travels to crafting unique and thought-provoking beers.  As I continue to frequent the taproom, I hope to meet the other owners and hear their stories and inspirations about craft beer.  One thing is certain, they are all committed to making each person who walks into their space welcome and valued.

They will be open during the week starting Wednesday all the way through the weekend, including Sundays.  They will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.  So, get down to Insight Brewing Company and give their taproom a try.  Their globally inspired beer combined with their warm hospitality and ambiance make it a must try!

Setting Sights on a Taproom: Insight Brewing Company's Open House

A week ago on Friday, September 26, Insight Brewing Company had an open house to show off the brewery space and their beers.  Judging by the huge turnout and immense flavor and variety of what they were pouring, the night was hugely successful.  The event ran from 5-9 and when I got there at 5:25, the place was already packed.  The volunteers were running around feverishly to keep up with the lines for samples of their beer.

There was also a lot of activity at the booth where they were taking memberships for their Passport Club, a program where you get up to 4X credit in their taproom along with perks such as one-off bottle reservations and t-shirts.  The information for the Passport Club is on the brewery's website.  Personally, I think that the Passport Club is a tremendous deal and am planning on enrolling.  There were a lot of happy drinkers there and as I was talking to people about the beer, I did not hear any complaints, but rather a lot of enthusiastic comments about how good the beer was, both in taste and style.

The aesthetics of the place are very pleasing.  As you come in the front doors, you ascend the stairs into the taproom.  The high ceilings and ample tables are inviting and a place where I definitely would feel comfortable hanging out.  The wall separating the taproom from the brewery does not restrict one's view from the brewing kettles and equipment.

I got a chance to talk with Eric Schmidt, one of the co-owners of the brewery about the event and he came across as incredibly passionate about beer.  We chatted about the beers they had on tap and when they would be opening.  Despite being incredibly busy, he valued the opportunity to talk with me about what I thought about the beer and I think that shows a lot about where Insight's values are.  They place a lot of importance on making patrons feel valued and comfortable.  

So, look for them to be opening in about a month and give their beers a try.  The space is located in a prime location and is easily accessible via bus (61 route has a stop right in front of their brewery) and is not away from the heart of Northeast Minneapolis.