America’s Best Beer Cities

Readers rated 35 major cities for features such as food trucks, friendly locals, and microbrews, a category that reflects a growing trend. As of 2012, there were more than 2,300 operating craft breweries (those making fewer than 6 million barrels a year) in the U.S., according to the American Brewers Association—the highest number since the late 19th century.

No. 1 Portland, OR
No. 2 Denver
No. 3 Portland, ME
No. 4 Seattle
No. 5 Kansas City, MO
No. 6 Minneapolis/St. Paul
The Twin Cities climbed nine spots in the survey this year, and the buzziest beers seem to channel the outdoorsy, hipster vibe that voters love about Minnesota. Indeed Brewery prides itself on its retro, back-to-basics cans, while Fulton Beer offers a Russian imperial stout—a bracing 9.2% ABV (alcohol by volume) brew that, the site promises, “if left outside during winter, won’t freeze, even in Minnesota.” Readers might not want to test that claim: they ranked the Twin Cities near the bottom among places to visit in winter.
No. 7 San Diego
No. 8 Boston
No. 9 Providence, RI
No. 10 Nashville

Photo via Riddhish_C, article via Travel & Leisure

Jack Clark’s Bar and Cafe sign, Minneapolis. (1977) via Minnesota Historical Society

Thirst Things First.

The CC Club: An oral history

The CC Club has long been a drinkers’ haven in south Minneapolis, a dim intersection of different scenes and people from across the city. Few establishments in the Twin Cities have seen more glasses emptied, cigarettes smoked, or strangers find each other.

But the neighborhood is changing. In a part of the city once defined by its independence, expensive condos crowd the streets and corporate chains have pushed out local businesses. Earlier this year, the owners of neighboring restaurant French Meadow bought the CC, and will officially take ownership on May 1. The new managers say they plan to keep the bar the same, but some CC regulars are skeptical — perhaps because the French Meadow is an organic bistro, and the CC is a seedy dive bar. Or maybe it just seems inevitable that a place like the CC Club can’t last forever.

click pic for great article by City Pages

Took the Surly Brewing tour tonight, it was pretty awesome.

Saloon advertising Golden Grain Belt Beers, address unknown, Minneapolis (1919) via Minnesota Historical Society

Ugh, address unknown? I love this little bar, if I had been alive in Minneapolis in 1919, this WOULD have been my hangout. And if by chance this building is still standing, but today is a private residence or flower shop, I will make a Kickstarter campaign to buy it from the current owners, and turn it back into a bar.

This is my promise to you.

Fourth Annual Dagos at Dusty’s on Groundhog Day Bash!

Who: You
What: Beer and Dago Sandwiches
Where: Dusty’s Bar in Nordeast Minneapolis (1319 Marshall St NE, right by the old Grain Belt Brewery)
When: Groundhog Day, this Saturday (Feb 2), starting about 7PM
Why: No one else celebrates Groundhog Day in the Twin Cities, we’ve been doing this for four years now, and it is pretty awesome.

FAQS:

Is this an official tumblr event?
Kinda, Andy has tumblr stickers for us, so, there you go.

Do I have to have a tumblr blog to come?
No, at it’s heart, this is the most kick-ass social media event to happen every year on Groundhog Day in the Twin Cities.

Do I need to be 21?
Nope, just old enough to party. But of course, 21 for “adult” drinks.

I really don’t know any of you people, and some of you frighten me. Can I bring a friend?
Of course.

Is there a table reserved, does Dusty’s know you’re coming?
Nope, we just show up and take over the place.

How late will you be at Dusty’s?
All night? Although some folks will start their night at Dusty’s, and venture over to other bars in Nordeast as the night goes on. I know at some point I want to wander over to Dangerous Man Brewing and pick up a growler of something.

So, do I just show up and say “Hi” to someone with a tumblr sticker?
Yes. This night is all about beer, Dago sandwiches, and nerdy social media fellowship.

Hope to see you there!!

Groundhog image by ewaldmario

Is the Viking Bar ever going to reopen?

For more than six years—since August 1, 2006, the Viking Bar at Riverside and 19th Avenue South has sat empty. For that same period the marquee over its blue door, the same marquee that once advertised shows featuring “Spider” John Koerner, the Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs, and Willie Murphy, has read “GONE FISHING.”

Former patrons will tell a story of, for example, Bonnie Raitt stopping by the Viking on her swings through town and will laugh—but give them time and they’ll stare into their beer a bit.

“What do you want to happen to that space?” I ask.

“I’d like it to be a bar again.”

Great article by Twin Cities Daily Planet, photo via flickr account of Dean Peterson.

bryandscott:

Minneapolis, Minnesota.

World of Beer coming to Minneapolis

National craft beer bar chain World of Beer is coming to downtown Minneapolis. According to World of Beer’s Adam Chwala, the Tampa, Florida-based business will open its Minneapolis location sometime in spring of 2013.

“World of Beer is an upscale craft beer bar, typically featuring over 500 craft beers from all around the world and anywhere from 30 to 50 taps,” said Chwala. “A lot of our beers are regionalized, so we’ll be featuring a lot of Minnesota and Midwestern taps. Midwest people are very loyal to Midwest beers. We want to feature as many Midwest beers as possible.”

Another aspect that makes each World of Beer location unique the chain’s approach to food. Most locations are only around 3,000 square feet and have no kitchen. “What we do is we partner with our neighboring restaurants to create a World of Beer menu,’ said Chwala. “Our neighboring restaurant partners will deliver to our guests.”

Each World of Beer location also features live music on weekends and during special events. Chwala said the combination of craft-only beer, food from nearby restaurants and live music is unique to the Minneapolis market and should provide an experience that can’t be found at other bars.

Chwala said he’s not quite ready to reveal where the downtown Minneapolis World of Beer will be located.

Article by Jeremy Zoss of The Journal MPLS, flickr photo by jdeanphoto