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.

Craft Beers to Enjoy on Halloween

When I was a young buck, my favorite holiday, by far, was Halloween.  I remember one particular year, when I was 8, I began making Halloween decorations in July.  Yes, you read that right; when other kids were out riding their bikes, skinning their knees and playing kickball, I was busy cutting construction paper into bats, Jack-O-lanterns and ghosts.  Wearing paper cuts as badges of courage, I turned my bedroom into an arts and crafts display that would have given Martha Stewart DTs.  As Halloween got closer, my anticipation worked itself into a rabid fervor, and by the time October rolled around and by October 31st, I was a full-on spazz.

As an adult, my enthusiasm for this spooky holiday has not waned.  Through therapy and the necessity of paying the mortgage, I no longer am making Halloween decorations in July, however, I have found a grown-up way to embrace my child-like love for All Hallows Eve: Halloween appropriate beers!  Obviously, there is no defined category of Halloween beers, but with cool artwork on the bottles and creative names, many of these beers jump out at me as I am walking through the aisle of my local craft beer store.  What I have come to discover over the years is that these beers are not only visually appealing, but also incredibly delicious and unique.

So, here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite craft beers that scream Halloween.

1.  Great Lakes Brewing Company Nosferatu.  I mentioned earlier being obsessed with Halloween, but what I didn't mention was the for 6 out of the 9 years I went trick or treating, I went dressed as a rubber chicken-toting vampire.  A unique take on Count Dracula, for sure.  This beer also has a unique connection to vampire lore.  The label art and name of this beer is an homage to the 1922 vampire movie.  This beer is a remarkably balanced Imperial Red Ale that you will be sure to want to sink your teeth into.

2.  New Holland Ichabod.  This beer is named for the unlikely hero, Ichabod Crane, from Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  The label has an awesome depiction of the Headless Horseman riding a horse, getting ready to terrorize your thirst.  This pumpkin ale is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and is very drinkable at 5.2%.  At that reasonable ABV, it is the perfect beer to drink while you spend Friday evening handing out candy.  Better yet, if you play the drinking game that necessitates you taking a drink every time you see someone dressed as Elsa from Disney's Frozen, you will still be able to function the next day

3.  Surly Pentagram.  I believe it was Adam Sandler's 1996 comedy album, What The Hell Happened To Me? track about joining the cult that said, "The night time is the right time."  This beer begs to be consumed on a ghoulish evening filled with goblins and ghosts.  This sour beer that is brewed right here in MN has awesomely demonic bottle art and is topped with wax.  The flavors are complex and funky and the ABV is 6.66% which is apropos for this dark and magical sour beer.

4.  Southern Tier Warlock.  You don't have to have a collection of 20-sided dice and a dingy basement to enjoy this deliciously arcane ale.  This beer has only been on the market for two years, but is already considered by many to be in a class by itself.  Warlock is a stout brewed with pumpkin spices.  I first consumed this beer while giving out Halloween candy last year and was also mixing and matching candy pairings.  It didn't take long before I was under the Warlock's spell.  Available in 22 oz. bombers, this limited offering is sought after by many, so if you see it, grab it.

This list is just the tip of the tombstone, but you get the idea.  I don't go trick or treating anymore and I retired the rubber chicken.  However, I still am giddy when I start to see these beers on the shelves in the liquor stores, or on tap at my favorite haunts around town.  I would love to hear which Halloween selections put a scare in your snifter, so feel free to list your favorites in the comments section below.  Cheers!

How to Talk Like a Beer Geek; Beer in Your Beer Hole!

Today we are going to talk about a few terms that have to do with your beer hole! The best thing about beer, plain and simple, is putting it in your mouth. But once that beery goodness is in there, a lot goes on. So let’s talk about a few things going on up in there!

The first term is mouthfeel. This word is basically the way the beer feels when it is all up in your beer hole. Is it sparkly feeling from lots of carbonation, creamy feeling from being a nitro beer, or maybe a bit of an oily coating feel from an abundance of hop oils? A lot of things can contribute to this including sugars, hops, proteins, adjuncts, carbonation method and amount, the list goes on and on.

The next term is surprisingly not the end of your mouth’s drinking experience:  The finish! The finish is how the beer tastes and makes your mouth feel right after you swallow that big gulp of deliciousness. Does it have a malty finish, a hoppy finish, a dry finish...? The big finish has a big effect on your mouth’s beer happiness level.

The final mouth piece of drinking your beer is the aftertaste. Many people would say this is the same as the finish, and I guess this is partly correct, but partly not. Aftertaste is more the lingering tastes that stick around for a while after you are done with your beer or are done with a gulp of it. The main reason why I disagree with those who say that finish and aftertaste are the same thing is that every beer has a finish, but not every beer has an aftertaste to it.

So there you go, aspiring beer geeks! Three beer terms that help make your beer hole happy; mouthfeel, finish, and aftertaste... Just to make sure you have these three terms covered I think it’s time for you to go put some beer in your mouth!

3 Growlers Craft Beer Show: Third Street Jack'd Up Autumn Ale

The Pint Report: Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub's Fresh Hop IPA

There are some fall seasonal beers that are only out for a seemingly limited time.  It is not that there aren't a lot of barrels of these beers brewed.  It is that these beers are made so well, that the masses consume them at a rate on par with adolescent boys at an AXE body spray giveaway.  Between Oktoberfests, pumpkin beers and harvest ales that so many breweries are putting out, it is easy to look past the special variety of Fresh Hop IPAs that are out there.

Northbound brews their version of this beer with three hop varieties: Cascade, Columbus and Centennial hops to give it a very clean and distinct hop flavor.  They brewed 14 barrels of the Fresh Hop IPA this year.  Northbound gets their hops for this beer from Gerhard Hops, a local hop farm in Pine City which also happens to be the largest MN hops producer.  This beer comes in at 6.9% ABV with 80 IBUs.  

The Fresh Hop IPA is medium amber in is very clean and clear.  There is not a lot of head on this beer.  The beer smells amazingly earthy and floral.  At the time of the review, I was one of several people at our table enjoying this beer and we all agreed that the aroma is what makes this beer a great selection.  I have had several other fresh hop beers and they are all very clean and aromatic.  This is a great beer style for someone who is intimidated by the bitterness of IPAs because this beer is the definition of approachable.  The 80 IBUs might also cause one to pause at ordering this beer, but fear not, the hops are not going to split your tongue in half.  

The flavors in the Fresh Hop IPA are nicely balanced.  One great thing about how Northbound brews this beer is that the drinker gets the appealing sensory elements of each hop they use in the beer and they all go well together.  There are floral and citrus notes from the Cascade and Centennial, and the slight bitterness from the Columbus and Centennial.  Because this is fresh-hopped, these flavors are all very much at the forefront of this beer.  There is some light bitterness, but that showed up in the aftertaste. The mouth feel of this beer is unique because it is initially crisp, and then seems to smooth out.  

This beer pairs very well with the smoked buffalo wings that I ordered.  The logic behind that pairing is that the smoked wings highlight the flavor of the smoked meat because they are not swimming in sauce.  The Fresh Hop IPA has clean hop flavors front and center and I wanted to see how it would hold up the the smoke and spice of the wings.  I was very pleased with the combination.  Northbound also had a very limited supply of Fresh Hop IPA infused with Tangelos, a hybrid of citrus fruit made of tangerine, mandarin orange and grapefruit.  This was a very refreshing taste and combination.  So, if you are lucky enough to find the Fresh Hop IPA with Tangelos on tap, order a pint because it won't be around long!  The Fresh Hop IPA is a great beer to enjoy on Northbound's patio as Minnesotans soak up the sun and hold on tight to the last few nice days of fall.

3 Growlers: Paulaner's Oktoberfest

Check out our latest episode of 3 Growlers as we sample and review Paulaner's Oktoberfest: