Indeed Brewing (Minneapolis, MN)

Brown Ale with my fantastic
Red Lentil Burger by Gastrotruck

After years of trying, I squeezed in a quick stop at Indeed Brewing before a One Voice concert nearby. The database says my first draft of Indeed was Midnight Ryder at Northbound Smokehouse almost two years ago. So, this post clearly won't be news for most of my beer geek friends.

Well worth the effort, Indeed is a pretty amazing taproom; the attention to detail is clear in every choice, right down to the picture perfect chalk draft board. Big tables are gather groups well but a little hard to find a place alone with Americans not use to sharing space.  I really appreciated the designated serving area for walking up to get a pint instead of having to reach over someone sitting at the bar. The $2 happy hour discount had the place full and the line was a bit slow each time, though it disappeared, of course, just have I got my last pint.

Cask of Haywire with
Mosaic hops added

Event the clearly designated food truck location closing off the patio points to the obviously well thought out plan. I personally love the food truck format for taprooms, and Gastrotruck was a hit for me. Especially for a vegan burger, it was one of the very best veggie burgers I've tasted. I wanted to go back for the nachos, but didn't have time but happily hope to run into Gastrotruck again.

Overall, this is an experience I would like to try again with a bit more time to savor. I can see why it's so popular and why the beer buzz has been good. The simply named Brown Ale was fantastic and one of the best of the style I've had in a very long time: beautiful chocolate brown color, full mouth feel and a robust flavor that is usually the hallmark of bigger beers. I want to seek out a growler of this beer, like maybe later today when I'm back in the area. In a long running argument with my friend Al, I'm not a fan of the Indeed name; however, when the beer is this good, the name will grow on me.

Mackenzie Pub (Minneapolis, MN)

7/26/12

Mackenzie Pub is a small bar with a surprising amount of charm in the downtown Hennepin Ave,  While I've only had a few experiences at the pub, they have all been positive.  From my notes, the last time I recorded a beer was in the summer of 2008 in which I went two nights in a row with friends for tappings of a couple new breweries of the time: Surly and Furthermore.  Hard to believe I haven't been back since, but, if I have returned, it didn't record anything new.

Which I find hard to believe from their selection.  Last night before heading to the One Voice performance at The Cowles Center, I started with Indeed Old Friend and then followed up with a draft of Deschutes Hop Henge IPA to pair with my mushroom and onion pizza.  Running late, I had to interrupt a pleasant beer conversation with my newly met bar mates to finish both pizza and beer, leaving with a longing for several remaining taps.

Based on the pizza and the well served beer, I need to return.  The pub has an elegant decor with clean lines that also feels like a small town local, which makes me wonder about the history of the older building.  Service was friendly and helpful for a range of drinkers (help for me and eavesdropping on other orders).  Great stop that seems to be underrated based on how often I don't hear about them in beer chatter. However, I plan to make Mackenzie my new go-to place for downtown activities to test it over time, trading in our old place of Rock Bottom.

Fresh Hop week at Town Hall (Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN)

Surly Wet w/ walleye and fries

Arrived a bit early, so I started with the Indeed Fresh Hop contribution to wet beers. Stark white over a pale yellow ale the looks watery but has a full mouthfeel. Sharply bitter with lots of citrus, lemongrass and a slight green taste. Clean and crisp, but I wouldn't say it's a fresh hop beer just from the taste. I'd put it as pale ale strength; however, lots and lots a pretty, pretty hops on top makes me happy.

Town Hall Fresh Hop 100

Next, on the list is the evening's goal: Town Hall's Fresh Hop 100 for 2012. The 100 is for 100% fresh Simcoe hops--nothing else.  Off white head over a dark amber ale. Straight Simcoe hops come through as fresh, clean spice and earthiness. Strong caramel and toffee flavors with a full, robust mouthfeel. Chewy maltiness more than supports the big hop; guessing the IBU is higher than it tastes.  Simcoe covers the palate but isn't overwhelming. Another great Town Hall beer and glad I got my two growlers to drink at home.

Indeed Fresh Hop

The other advertised wet hop I wanted to try, Lucid Wammo, wasn't on tap until later in the week, so I "settled" for Surly Wet, only one of my very favorite beers.  I was chatting and eating dinner with this pint, so didn't get any impressions down.  I've been drinking the canned version of Wet at home this week; while the draft was very good, the nose and bite of it seems muted compared to the can.

Tonight's epiphany--fresh hop beers have come a long way baby.  If memory serves, proto-versions of fresh hop beers tended to be grassy and a bit hop stupid.  Since they were the only game in town, any fresh hop beer was a fun treat.  However, they tasted a lot like my homebrewed version that needed six months to settle before the cut grass flavor dissipated.  While still full of aromatic, fresh, beautiful hops, tonight's drafts have a sophistication and range that goes far beyond a novelty act.