LynLake Brewery: A Great New Place to Grab A Craft Beer!

On what turned out to be the last Friday in October when one could go without a jacket, I met a friend for some beers at the newly-opened LynLake brewery.  I had been excited to try their beers because they are advertised as having "bold flavors and aromas."  I also wanted to see how a brewery could replace the old historic Lyndale theater.  I was pleasantly surprised on both fronts because the beers are distinct and memorable and the space is incredibly unique and provides the perfect backdrop for grabbing a beer with friends.

Let's start with the beers.  In the interest of research, I tried samples of everything that they currently had on tap.  The first flight that I got included the Ponyboy Gold, Take 6 IPA, Rubbish Oat Amber Ale, Yea-Yea Pale Ale.  Then I moved on to samples of their Take 6 IPA cask with Cascade hops, the Y2K 2014 Hoppy Dark Ale, and the Sideburns Milk Stout.  One thing is for sure, they are right about bold favors and aromas.  None of these were run-of-the-mill style representations.  I also appreciated the unique titles for their beers, as they will go a long way in helping them build and grow their brand.  The Ponyboy Gold is a very approachable and drinkable offering.  This will probably be a gateway beer for a lot of people.  The Take 6 had a very pleasing piney and resinous quality that comes from a very nice hop presence.  I liked how the Rubbish Oat Amber Ale had nice touch of roast and caramel to the malty sweetness.

My favorite offering, by far, was the Sideburns Milk Stout.  This beer showcases dynamic flavor and mouthfeel.  When you sip this beer, it feels like your tongue is spooning with greatness.  I love how velvety and smooth the mouthfeel is on this beer.  There are so many stouts on the market that neglect this element of the sensory experience, and I am so grateful to the brewer that the Sideburns hit this nail on the head.  I ordered another pint of this beer and my companion, who doesn't usually like stouts, tasted it, and declared it a win because it didn't taste too much like coffee.

The atmosphere of this place is extremely relaxed and friendly.  The beer-tenders are cordial and willing to chat and answer questions about the beers.  The brewing equipment is visible from anywhere in the main bar.  There are Edison light fixtures hanging from the ceiling casting a warm glow on patrons as they enjoy their craft beers.  The presence of the old theatre is still there as one can see the moldings up on the high ceilings and I thought this was very cool.  As I sat at the bar, I saw patrons heading up the stairs to the rooftop and I immediately began looking forward to next spring, when I could enjoy a delicious pint out in the sun for happy hour.  This neighborhood already has tremendous offerings for food and drink, and LynLake is going to fit in tremendously.  So, get out there and try some of their wonderfully unique beers that will make you think and smile.  Go there to meet up with a friend or coworker, or simply fly solo and chat up one of the beer-tenders or a complete stranger next to you; either way you will walk away already looking forward to your next visit.

Brews and Reviews: Tin Whiskers Brewing Company

Since becoming an avid craft beer drinker in 2005, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for a brewery with a unique concept and brand.  I am drawn to creative names for beers and eye-catching tap handles.  There is something comforting and familiar about being able to pick a favorite beer brand out of a lineup of a myriad of taps at a bar.  From the names of their beer all the way to their robot logo and tap handles, Tin Whiskers is a recognizable brand that will only continue to grow, and it is in large part to the approachability of their beer.

The Tin Whiskers taproom is in the Rossmor Building downtown St. Paul.   The vibe of the taproom evoked memories of the taprooms in Colorado.   The abundance of windows and exposed brick provide a very industrial and clean feel which fits very well with their engineering-themed brewery.  The bright lights and long communal tables make this a natural space to gather and meet people.  They also have a nice long bar that you can belly up to and enjoy some nice conversation with other patrons, or the knowledgeable beertenders.  If you are hungry, the brewery shares the same building as Black Sheep Pizza, Sawatdee and Key’s Cafe.  If takeout or delivery is not your thing, then they encourage you to bring a picnic if you crave something to nosh while you imbibe.  The name, Tin Whisker, comes from an electrical engineering term for a soldering failure on a circuit board.  However, let me assure you, there are no failures when it comes to their portfolio of approachable beers on tap.  The lineup of beers at Tin Whiskers have several things going for them: approachability, depth,  and drinkability.  There is truly something here for everyone.  

If you are into hoppy beers, the Flipswitch IPA comes in at 6.2 ABV and 63 IBU and has plenty of hop presence.  Chinook, Citra, Warrior and Centennial hops are used in the boil and then the beer is dry-hopped with Citra and Warrior hops.  This beer is big on earthy, citrus and floral aromas and has a nice malty presence to make it a very drinkable and balanced American IPA.  The hop bitterness is not heavy-handed for this beer and I tend to prefer that when it comes to American IPAs.  

If you are into something refreshing, the Wheatstone Bridge American Style Wheat ale is something that is perfect for those Minnesota summer days.  What separates this from other wheat beers is the use of honey and chamomile which give it a very pleasant and complex flavor and aroma.  This beer is orange in color and is slightly cloudy.  The beer is light and effervescent and at 5.4 ABV and 20 IBU, it will appeal to a wide range of beer drinkers.  

If you are in the mood for a pilsner, the Parity Pilsner is a nice option.  This is a very balanced beer with a slight sweetness and just enough hop bite to give it a great flavor.  The slightly sulfuric yeast character, which I find incredibly pleasing in this style, is present and accounted for.  The beer drinks crisp and bright and is a nice addition. This beer is 5.8 ABV and 29 IBU, making it very drinkable and approachable.

Moving towards their malty selections we have the Ampere Amber.  I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of amber beers, so I was not expecting a whole lot from this offering.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that instead of the overbearing malty sweetness that I have come to dislike in amber beers, the Ampere Amber has a distinctly roasted malt character which makes the beer crisp and gives it an edge.  This beer, like most of their others, is very drinkable 5.3 ABV and 48 IBU and perfect for fall.

The Boolean Brown is one of my favorites from Tin Whiskers.  It has a roasted malt aroma that is so rich and inviting.  The flavor has a very nice biscuity and melanoidin flavor which balances out the sweetness from the malt.  The mouth feel is a little dry and the roasted malt gives it a nice bite that makes you want to enjoy another pint of this delicious beer.  

As we are entering fall, nothing says warm me up like a nice and flavorful stout.  In my opinion, the Short Circuit Stout (5.3 ABV and 31 IBU) embodies everything right about this style.  It is robust and roasty.  It is velvety and slightly sweet from the chocolate and lactose.  This is what I will definitely come back and have several pints of because it hits on all cylinders from flavor to mouthfeel.  If that wasn't enough to get you to put the coordinates in your smartphone and head on down there; Short Circuit is also available on Nitro!  Yes, imagine all the velvety goodness I described and add in the cascading smoothness of my second favorite gas.  Well, I don’t need to tell you that you know what you are going to do when the weekend hits.  

You can also order a Short Bridge, which is a half and half pour of the Short Bridge Wheat and the Short Circuit Stout.  Believe it or not, the chocolate from the stout and the sweetness from the wheat beer play very well together.

As a St. Paul resident myself, I cannot say enough about how excited I am to see Tin Whiskers putting out the beer that they do.  Whether you are a beer connoisseur or are just dipping your toes in the craft beer pool for the first time, you will find something to enjoy at Tin Whiskers
The atmosphere of the taproom is a great place to eat, drink and be merry.