Beerploma's Interview with Alexis Irivin, director and producer of Blood, Sweat, and Beer

Beerploma was recently approached by Alexis Irvin, who along with her partner, Chip Hiden, have directed and produced an independent film entitled:  Blood, Sweat, and Beer.  The feature documentary is about craft beer growth in the U.S. and the dramatic journey of two specific start-up breweries.  After self-funding this project and a successful Kickstarter campaign to put the finishing touches on the project, they wanted us to help them get the word out about their project.


Beerploma:  What was your initial inspiration for this movie?
Alexis:  Chip and I both love craft beer!  We travel a lot, screening our first documentary, The Dream Share Project (www.thedreamshareproject.com) at colleges across the U.S., and our favorite thing to do after an event is find local breweries or fun beer bars to check out.  We noticed such fast and exciting growth in the craft beer world, we thought there had to be some good stories to tell.

Beerploma:  How did you arrive at the two breweries that you featured in the movie?
Alexis:  We knew from the start that we wanted to find passionate people and brewery stories with a narrative arc-we wanted brewers that were pursuing a big goal, or going on some sort of journey.  We thought interviewing start-ups would be a good place to go looking for these stories.  We first interviewed Danny Robinson from Backshore Brewing Co. (formerly Shorebilly Brewing Co.) on the day that he cut the ribbon to open his brewery.  We really liked his passion and enthusiasm for beer and entrepreneurship and how candid he was on camera, so we decided to keep checking-in with him and capture his first year of business as he pursued a distribution deal.  A few months after that, Danny's story took an unexpected turn when he was hit with a trademark lawsuit over the name Shorebilly and was forced to change the name of his brewery.
We first met Matt and Asa from the Brew Gentleman Beer Comany at a Cicerone exam in Washington DC.  We were instantly intrigued by how young they were (22 years old at the time) and how big their ambitions were.  A few months later, we decided to check out their under-construction brewery in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
When we first entered Braddock, it was like driving onto a post-apocalyptic film set.  Homes and historic buildings were boarded up or falling apart.  Ivy crawled over front doors.  Trees grew through front porches and roofs.  The streets were empty and most of the businesses were shut down.  We learned that Braddock was once a bustling steel town and had been left for dead many years ago.  Now, led by the efforts of renegade mayor John Fetterman, Braddock is struggling to make a comeback-and Matt and Asa want their new brewery to help liven up Braddock and bring new manufacturing jobs back to the area.

Beerploma:  You interviewed so many experts in the craft beer world, whom were you most excited to talk to?
Alexis:  The governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper!  We were so nervous before the interview-we had ten minutes to ask our questions!  But, he had a great story about starting up the Wynkoop Brewing Co. in 1988, and how the brewery helped revitalize lower downtown Denver-which is now a bustling part of town, filled with local businesses!
We also loved chatting with Joey Redner and Wayne Wombles from Cigar City (I'm kind of obsessed with Cigar City beer and so is Chip!), had a great time with Matt Brynildson, David Walker and Jemma Wilson at Firestone-Walker, and loved chatting about food and beer with Ting Su at Eagle Rock in L.A.

Beerploma:  I am a huge fan of Charlie Papazian and have read several of his books.  Is he as energetic in person as he comes off in his writing?
Alexis:  We had a fun experience meeting Charlie Papazian!  Chip and I filmed in Colorado and up and down the West Coast for six weeks this past February and March.  We lined up our interviews in Colorado first, and sent an e-mail request to Charlie in early January.  The same night we sent out the e-mail to Charlie, we attended a DC Homebrewers Club to film the homebrewers sampling each other's beer.
An hour into the meeting, the excited whispers started . . . Charlie Papazian had walked into Bluejacket Brewery and had spend the next few hours hanging out at the DC Homebrewers Club meeting.  Needless to say, the homebrewers were super excited!
We then introduced ourselves to Charlie, he gave us a look and said, "Hey, its you guys!  I just got your email for an interview request today!"  Small world in craft beer.  We interviewed him in Colorado and he was great.  He is someone that truly values and appreciates the strong community surrounding craft beer, and has worked so hard to foster that community over the years.

Beerploma:  Are the Beer Chicks, Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune (authors of The Naked Pint) truly as engaging in person as they are in their book?
Alexis:  Christina and Hallie were so fun!  We met them at Hallie's house, where they promptly cracked some beers for us before we got to filming!  I would love to drink another beer with them (or maybe two. . . ) with them in the future.

Beerploma:  The pathos of what the brewery in Braddock means to its community is very strong, even in the trailer.  Could you speak to craft beer's role in lifting the spirits, and possibly the economy in places like Braddock?  Is this something that could possibly benefit other communities from a positive economic standpoint?
Alexis:  I think that a brewery is a great way to revitalize a neighborhood.  You've got a community space for people to hang out and celebrate or catch-up with friends and family.  A brewery draws locals into their community and brings new visitors to an area, which can stimulate revenue for other businesses.  A new brewery brings new jobs and tax dollars to your town and state.  There's pride in having a delicious, handcrafted product created in your own backyard.  And, craft beer as a whole is massively contributing to the U.S. economy-craft brewers contributed $33.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2012, and the industry also provided more than 360,000 jobs, with 108,440 jobs directly at breweries and brewpubs.  Craft beer is a true American small business success story.

Beerploma:  What were the biggest challenges in bringing the project to fruition?
Alexis:  This project was 100% self-funded until we reached our Kickstarter goal a few weeks ago!  It was also the work largely of two people-Chip and myself-which truly made this a labor of love.  But, we feel very strongly that the stories we found were meant to be shared, and the next step, now that the movie is almost complete, is to share this film with as many people as possible.

Beerploma:  What was the biggest unexpected joy you experienced as you were making this film?
Alexis:  Making this movie was truly a dream come true for us.  We traveled all over the country and got to talk to so many brilliant, hilarious and creative people about one of our favorite topics-beer!  I feel like with the explosive growth of the industry right now, we were able to capture some really unique footage of a burgeoning industry, and grab a little slice of a very special time for American craft beer.
And, I am still amazed with the warmth and candor that Danny Robinson (Backshore) and the Brew Gents (Matt, Asa, and Brandon) showed us as we followed them around with cameras.

Beerploma:  As a craft beer fan, this film is something I would want to see anyway.  How do you get someone who isn't a craft beer fan to want to see this film from a marketing perspective?
Alexis:  Although this is a movie about craft beer and two breweries, it is also a story about the entrepreneur's journey.  Our film explores what happens when you have a dream, put it all on the line, and decide just to go for it.   The risk-taking, optimism and hope of these entrepreneurs should interest anyone who has ever had a big idea-whether or not they enjoy craft beer.

Beerploma:  Do you plan to have showings of the film in some of the up-and-coming craft beer markets?  Where will you be releasing the film for people to see in theaters?
Alexis:  Our plan is to release our film in early 2015.  We would like to do events and screenings in great beer towns like Minneapolis/St. Paul, St. Louis, Portland, Austin, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, etc., as well as at film festivals around the U.S..

The DVD and digital download of our film will be released later in 2015.

Beerploma:  How can someone purchase the film?
Alexis:  Go to www.bloodsweatbeermovie.com and pre-order your digital download of the film for just 4.99 today!  We also have pre-orders for a physical DVD, and a special edition DVD, which will feature content from interviews that we didn't have room for in the film.

Learn more, get interviews + new content at:

www.bloodsweatbeermovie.com
Twitter: @bloodsweatbrew
Intagram:  @bloodsweatbeermovie
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/bloodsweatbeermovie

Beerploma:  Why will a craft beer fan love this movie?
Alexis:  We hope that Blood, Sweat, and Beer, isn't just about beer-it's a movie with narrative arcs with true stories to tell.  I think Danny's case of dealing with a trademark lawsuit gives you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at a hot issue in the brewery world right now.  The Brew Gentlemen choosing to open in Braddock is fascinating-Braddock has truly been left abandoned, and it's so inspiring to see three young people decide to invest in a community and hope they can, in some way, help bring it back.

Beerploma:  Could this movie help convince someone who isn't currently a craft beer fan to take the plunge into the craft beer world?
Alexis:  I think it could!  Most of my girlfriends are more into wine and spirits-but the past few times I've been out with my best friends, they've all ordered beer!  I think that after watching the movie, and seeing the excitement and passion these breweries put into their beers, it makes you curious to learn and taste more.

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!

How to Talk Like a Beer Geek: All About the Hops!

Welcome to the latest installment of How to Talk Like a Beer Geek. Today, it’s all about the hops! Whether you like super hoppy beers or malty beers with very little hoppy flavors, hops are a major player in every beer. Just ask the Reinheitsgebot! Ummm... Yeah, we will get to the Reinheitsgebot another time.... for now, let’s get HOPPY!

The first term for today is NOBLE HOPS. There are four noble hops out there; Saaz, Tettnanger, Spalt, and Halltertua. These hops all have low bitterness and are hops with lots of aroma. Some specific beers must be brewed with these noble hops to be considered “genuine” for their beer style. Also, lots of people will tell you that to be considered true noble hops these hops must be grown in a specific region. This whole noble hops thing sounds a bit stuffy to me and elitist, but we gotta know the terms so we can scream out our beer geekiness!

The next hop term is FRESH HOPPED/WET HOPPED. These terms mean the same thing. Basically it is using hops in a beer that have been very recently picked and have yet to be dried out. This brings different levels of oils in the hops to the beer and really can make a hug difference in a beer, even from using the same hops but ones that have been dried out. You see fresh/wet hopped beers seasonally around fall each year after the hops have been harvested.

The final term for today before we... ummm... hop outta here... is DRY HOPPED. No, this isn’t what your neighbor’s dog is trying to do to your leg, but rather dry hopping a beer is the brewing practice of adding hops to a beer after the boil. Usually hops are added at different stages during the boil, depending on if the hops are used for aroma or bitterness. But dry hopping again will give different flavors and aromas than a beer that is just hopped during the boil. It’s all about getting different stuff out of the same ingredient by using it in a different way!

So there you go! A few hoppy beer geek terms for all you hop heads out there. Now, hop on over to your local tap room, have a beer, and talk hops!

Craft Beers That Make You Go Hmm: My Evolution As A Craft Beer Drinker

Throughout one's life, there are many memorable journeys.  Whether it is a job, a relationship, or in this case, the evolution of a beer palate, the destination is immaterial.  However, there is an enormity of importance in the steps along the way of that journey that stick in one's memory.  As people look back at how their tastes in beer have changed over the years, it can be pleasant and nostalgic to take stock of where they started and how far they have come.

Everyone starts somewhere when it comes to beer.  I remember, with a moderate level of fondness, my first encounter with the sudsy siren Busch Light.  It was in a dingy basement of a college house over by the University of St. Thomas.  It was Halloween and some friends and I were intrepidly going to see if we could get into a house party that we had caught wind of.  Dressed to the nines as a woman of the night, complete with hollowed-coconuts to add to my hourglass figure, I was skeptical about getting into this party.  I don't know if it was my plunging neckline or their pity for my appearance, but we were let in, paid our five dollars for a cup, and headed downstairs to the keg.  The warm and foamy liquid erupted boisterously from the tap thanks to the stooge who was vigorously over-pumping the keg.  As soon as the beer hit my lips, I began thinking that I didn't understand what all the fuss was about.  I guess that back in those days, the main reason to drink a light domestic beer wasn't to measure it pointedly for taste and aroma, but a necessary first step in a beer journey that has lead me to where I am today.  I pondered why so many people raved about beer, and as I choked down the skunky, room-temperature libation, I realized that beer was meant to make one think.  As many of the other Halloween revelers that evening, I drank my fair share of Busch Light and there were even some Zimas thrown in at the end of the night for good measure.  What I wanted to know after that was where was the good beer?  Why did I just pay five dollars for a cup of slightly flavored watery disappointment?

Fast forward to several years later.  I was done with college and had a stable job and wanted to get more into beer.  Since the Busch Light debacle, I had tried several other beers, mostly domestic, but had really not found a beer that I liked.  They say that everything happens for a reason and that good things come to those who wait.  I was out in South Dakota for a surprise birthday party for my in-laws and we were hanging around drinking.  Someone brought out a 12-pack of beer from a brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado.  I had never even heard of this brewery before and was immediately curious.  This beer was only available in Colorado and its bordering states: New Belgium Fat Tire.  Now, up until this point, the only craft beers I had tried were from Schell's and Summit.  I had also tried other beers and found that I tended to prefer malty over hoppy as a flavor profile.  I was offered a bottle of this special beer and I immediately took a swig.  Remember that scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High when Phoebe Cates emerges slowly from the swimming pool in an aura of scintillation and desire while poured perfectly into a red bikini?  Well, that was exactly the energy that had captivated my taste buds, olfactory senses and overall mainframe.  This beer had flavor, depth, and had aroused my palate.  I mentally teleported back to that house party in college and the Busch Light and thought that the flavor present in this bottle of Fat Tire is the reason people drink beer!  This amazing example of how beer can be something that can totally blow the doors off your senses ignited a passion for finding more beer like this.  I was feverish, my eyes were bugging out of my head, and then a sobering reality hit me, like a bocce ball to the crotch in an America's Funniest Home Videos first prize submission; this beer was not available anywhere close to where I lived.  I only got to try one bottle and I did my best to savor it, desperately trying to commit every taste, smell, sight and feeling to memory.  Fat Tire was a revelation and was my gateway beer.  It opened a floodgate of yearning to try more craft beers with unique flavors that represented different styles.  I felt like Navin R. Johnson in The Jerk, if this is out there, think of how much other great beer was out there.  And just like that, I was hooked.

In the summer of 2006, I visited by sister and her boyfriend in Cleveland, Ohio.  My first night there we were heading out to get some dinner and my sister's better half suggested that we try a great local brewery called Great Lakes Brewing Company.  I was excited because I had never before been to a brewery.  I had consumed a fair amount of beer, but still considered myself a craft beer novice.  My beers of choice at that time were Blue Moon, Schell's, Summit and any random thing that a friend brought over.  I thought that it was pretty interesting that a brewery would also have its own restaurant.  What I noticed immediately was that there were many things on the menu that paired well with beer.  I thought this curious because up until that point, I thought beer was only used to boil brats before throwing them on the grill.  Then I began looking at the menu and I became intrigued; there were eight different beers on tap all brewed on site!  I felt like I had to try them all so I ordered the entire list that came in the form of five ounce samples of each beer.  It ran the gamut from things I was familiar with, to styles I had never even heard of before.  If the New Belgium Fat Tire was my gateway beer, this was my craft beer enlightenment!  As I worked my way down the list, it was like sensory whack-a-mole, hoppy, earthy, malty, citrusy, and many more flavors and textures.  However, there was one that stood out to me above all the rest and cemented itself as one of my forever favorites; the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.  This beer had everything I had been looking for in a malt-forward beer.  It was dark, smooth, roasty and malty.  I felt like I had died and gone to palate heaven.  I remember thinking that it was the perfect level of heaviness for me.  As we walked out of the brewpub, I remember thinking to myself that it would be so incredible if they could ever get something like this in MN.  It was maybe 2 years later when I was strolling down the aisle at Big Top Liquors on University and Snelling that I saw an endcap display with that recognizable ship in the fog, the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter had finally made its way to MN along with several other of the Great Lakes flagship beers.  I grabbed two six packs of Edmund Fitzgerald and one sixer of Elliot Ness and headed home with a smile on my face and drool running down the side of my face,

We have all had a situation where we happen to be at the right place at the right time.  I was browsing the local liquor store on a Friday night in the fall and it was shortly after I had tried, Harvest Moon, a pumpkin ale from Blue Moon Brewing Company.  I was looking for another pumpkin beer to try and asked the gentleman who was working if he had anything similar to or better than the Harvest Moon.  His face suddenly transformed from jovial and relaxed to paranoid and tense. He leaned in very suspiciously and asked, "Would you pay 8 dollars for the best pumpkin beer in the world?"  I told him that would be great and he disappeared into the back room.  At this point, I was thinking that perhaps that beer that he was about to bring out was either stolen from the same Libyans that sold Doc Brown Plutonium in Back to the Future, or the bottle came with a complementary human head and that is why the salesman was being so weird.  To my relief, he brought out a 22 ounce bomber of a beer called Pumking from Southern Tier Brewing Company.  I had never heard of the brewery of the beer.  The next part of the transaction got very strange and he gave me some very explicit instructions for drinking the beer.  He told me that I need to let the beer warm up a bit first or I might as well have flushed my money down the toilet.  I should drink it out of a goblet and not just a pint glass.  As he kept rambling on in a manner that bordered on hysterical, I started to wonder if this bottle would turn into a Gremlin if I didn't take proper care of it.  I paid for my beer, drove home and began the ritual of preparing to imbibe the Pumking.  I found a wine glass in the cupboard that I felt would suffice for a true goblet and set it out on the counter while I watched television for a while.  After about a half hour, I came back and felt like it was time.  I dimmed the lights, put on some Barry White and wrote my safe-word on the back of my hand just in case I forgot it in the heat of passion.  The first thing that I remember about this beer was how absolutely strong the aroma of graham cracker was as I brought it up to my nose.  It was like I was about to drink a pie crust or a gingerbread man cookie.  Then I took my first sip; my mind began doing somersaults and my palate sang as a myriad of flavors paraded on my tongue.  I could not understand how a beer could so effectively mimic the sensation of eating pumpkin pie.  This beer was so complex and unlike anything I had ever before consumed.  Had I known how hard to find this beer would be, I would have bought more than one.  I did not encounter this beer again for another three  years.  However, that flavor and memory of how much my palate was challenged by Pumking was another highlight in my journey as a beer drinker.

Every year around the holidays, one of my favorite liquor stores does an event called "Beer Geek Christmas," which is an amazing all-day event and beer sale.  They have amazing products that get released for that day and incredible beers to sample in the store.  Because of my day job, I wasn't able to get there until the tail end of things and I got there and headed downstairs to where they had a keg of Surly Five, an anniversary beer that was a wine barrel-aged sour beer.  I thought that sour really didn't seem to be an appealing flavor profile in a beer.  I had never had a sour beer before and thought that I would try it and see how it went.  Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick, was it ever good!  I really liked the tartness and funky flavors that were having a party in my mouth.  The more I kept sipping it, the more I liked it.  I mentioned earlier in the article that a good beer should really make you think about what you are drinking.  A good beer should have your dendrites working overtime as your brain processes what you are drinking.  Good beer should not just be something you drink to get drunk because far too much effort and thought went into brewing it to make it just a way to make reruns of Cagney and Lacey more tolerable.  The first time I had a sour beer, I didn't have the beer knowledge to process what I was drinking and yet I enjoyed it because it was a knee to my flavor circuit board.  Now, anytime I get a chance to drink a sour beer, I jump at the opportunity and I am almost mentally transported back to my first Beer Geek Christmas, when I hopped aboard the sour beer train.

At Beerploma, we do our best to bring you the news and reviews of what is happening on the local Minnesota beer scene.  However, whenever I get the chance, I like to take a beercation to a place with a thriving craft beer scene.  Last spring, I spent 10 days tasting my way through 26 different breweries in Colorado.  I drank stellar examples of every beer style under the sun out there and was able to check many craft beers off of my bucket list.  When most people think Fort Collins, Colorado, they think of the bigger breweries there like Odell and New Belgium, but there was are many up and comers that are etching out their own territory out in the land of craft beer immortality.  Funkwerks Inc., is a smaller brewery in Fort Collins, CO that brews mainly Saisons and Belgian-style beers.  The beer I had at Funkwerks Inc. that forever changed how I thought about beer was their Belgian Stout.  It was a drinking experience that I will never forget because, in one beer, they were able to include everything I love from two completely different beer styles.  It smelled like peanut brittle and had a tremendous roasted malt character.  Then, in the next split second I was enjoying the distinct yeast properties that are associated with Belgian beers.  Maybe you are thinking, "Wait, I have never heard of that style!" and you are hitting on why I love craft beer in this country.  There are style guidelines, and in a lot of other places in the world like Germany or Belgium, these style guidelines are ironclad and never deviated from for fear of violating hundreds of years of tradi
tion.  Funkwerks Inc. is a great brewery because they brew mostly one style that has been around for hundreds of years and their representations of that style or spot-on.  However, it is also their ability to play in the beer recipe sandbox and use creativity to create things that are not commonplace.  The Funkwerks Belgian Stout rounds out my list of five beers that have helped me evolve as a beer drinker.


In the US, brewers are not just brewing, they are innovating and trailblazing.  They are constantly forging new paths and stepping outside of the style guide boundaries to see what amazing mouth-feels and flavors they can wow our palates with.  We are seeing the golden age of craft beer evolve before our very eyes.  What will the national craft beer scene be like in five years?  What new styles will be created and what old styles will be brought back?  Only time will tell.  One thing is certain, craft beer will continue to make us think and push the boundaries of taste and style.

Join the Pack:An Interview with Lupine Brewing Company

The howl you heard the other night during the full moon wasn't a werewolf, it was Eric Sargent, Michael Dumas and James Anderle, the founders of Lupine Brewing Company getting ready to brew their Convocation IPA.  When they aren't brewing beer up in St. Cloud, they are working feverishly on plans to relocate to the Twin Cities.  I got the wonderful opportunity to interview them about their relocation plans, their Kickstarter and everything beer-related in between.

Beerploma:  What was the genesis of your passion for craft beer?  
Lupine:  All three of us have had a passion for great tasting beer.  We like trying new flavors and like to explore depending on mood and season.  We also enjoy the whole craft beer community, that feeling of getting together and discussing ideas of what works, over a beer.
Beerploma:  When did you know that starting a brewery was a feat you wanted to undertake?
Lupine:  April of 2013 was when we sat down to discuss starting a business together.  Brewing beer was the most logical and each one of us bring a unique skill set to the business plan.  James is the corporate guy that doesn't want to be corporate anymore.  Mike is sales and marketing currently and Eric is automation and facilities.
Beerploma:  Did you start off as a home brewer and when did you realize that you could brew professionally?
Lupine:  Eric started home brewing in 1993, but recently had his passion for brewing reignited.  When the three of us (Eric, James and Mike) started perfecting our recipes, the feedback we were getting was very positive.  Many of our family and friends told us that all of our beers were drinkable.  We have a phenomenal light beer that even non-traditional craft beer drinkers would enjoy.  We have six different IPAs, two of which are closer to APAs.  Our brown ale was perfected to have a wonderful start and a full-bodied finish.

Beerploma:  What are your favorite beer styles to drink?
Lupine:  We all like different beers, but Mike's go to is an IPA.  Eric's is primarily darker beers, but always wants to try new ones when out and about.
Beerploma:  Were there other Minnesota breweries that helped you along the way or inspired you?
Lupine:  Every one of them has helped out in one way or another.  We have stopped at most of them to see what went right and what went wrong with them.  The craft beer community is always willing to talk to you.  Our first official meeting was with John Klick at Execlsior.  He spent two hours with Eric and James answering any questions we asked.  It truly is a great community of brewers.
Beerploma:  What has been the biggest challenge so far in getting things up and running?
Lupine:  Waiting.  We had name issues with regard to trademarking.  Then it was licensing and now it is the final facility.  Waiting for things that are out of our control is always the worst waiting.
Beerploma:  You currently have 4 styles.  How did you decide that those would be the beers you started out with and do you see yourself expanding to offer more flagship and seasonal offerings?
Lupine:  We want a full color and flavor palette.  The first four are proven, but we have eight others perfected and will always be brewing more with a pilot system.
Beerploma:  What equipment do you still need to produce and market your beers the way you feel would be best?
Lupine:  Right now we need a kegging system, a larger pilot system and a some web design to complete so that we can sell our logo products.
Beerploma:  Where will your new brewery be locate?
Lupine:  We are currently brewing in St. Cloud and will be distributing from there until we get into the new facility.  Within the next two weeks we will be able to announce where in the western suburbs we will be going into.
Beerploma:  As you look at the overall Minnesota craft beer scene, how does Lupine Brewing Company's philosophy and name fit into that?  
Lupine:  Lupine is anything dealing with or pertaining to the wolf.  Minnesota has one of the largest populations of wolves.  We started our logo around the paw and then the name fell into place.  We are going to be a place where everyone can be a part of our pack.  It doesn't matter what you do or where you came from, you just have to enjoy great beer and good people.
Beerploma:  What is your favorite brewery and beer from outside Minnesota and why?
Lupine:  We really like the philosophy of New Belgium and their beers.  They are green in every way they can be and their beers are solid and consistent.  For the most part, we like flavors that are solid and consistent.

After interviewing the folks behind this new brewery, I am very excited to try their beer and become part of the pack.  One thing is sure, Lupine Brewing Company is passionate about beer and providing others with a great place to enjoy their product and hospitality.  So check out their Kickstarter and get ready to enjoy some of their beer, good people and maybe even a full moon.

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.