This week I wanted to highlight the extraordinary and vast selection of IPA’s in our portfolio. I hope you raise a pint or two of this fantastic style of beer Thursday, because it is National IPA Day. This is a limited list of IPA’s that we carry. I have included some general information on the American India Pale Ale and a video from CraftBeer.com.
American IPA
Characterized by floral, fruity, citrus-like, piney or resinous American-variety hop character, the IPA beer style is all about hop flavor, aroma and bitterness. This has been the most-entered category at the Great American Beer Festival for more than a decade, and is the top-selling craft beer style in supermarkets and liquor stores across the U.S.P
Keep in Mind we have some LOCAL Selections as well:
I
was first introduced to Ben Matya and Empyrean Brewing Company in my former
career, over ten years ago. Currently, I have the delight of representing
the brand at Bergseth Bros. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ben in
person, it does not take long to notice his passion and commitment to quality,
integrity, and making the best craft beer possible in Nebraska. This
quality stands out in their year-round brands and seasonal offerings, as well
as, their Carpe Brewem series.
My personal favorites are two year-round offerings, Mind Over Mango IPA and Long Route Peanut Butter Porter. If you get an opportunity, try their limited release Mochachino Milk Stout or the year-round Dark Side Vanilla Porter. Both are incredible examples of their passion and commitment to the craft industry.
It began with a dream that we could brew full-flavored beer in the great state of Nebraska. In late 1990, that dream became our state’s first brewpub, Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill. Since then demand for our beer has grown, so we expanded our pub and Empyrean Brewing Company was born. Today we still dream big, even while we handcraft our beers in small, flavor–filled batches. So enjoy an Empyrean beer— the taste of dreams come true.
Brand New Year-Round Offering – Mind Over
Mango IPA
Available in Package & Draught ½ bbl and 1/6 bbl
Coming Very Soon – Pitched Blue Black & Blueberry Ale
We’re excited to announce a brand new beer from Laughing Sun Brewing Co. Strawberry Wheat American Wheat Ale.
Now available on draught and 6pk cans in our entire market.
An American-style wheat beer with a light crisp flavor and and an essence of strawberry. We use an American style wheat yeast with subdued flavor profiles, allowing light citrus aromas to emerge from the Centennial hops and even out the hint of strawberry flavor.
As if brewing approachable, extraordinary
beers 5 days a week wasn’t enough already we’re throwing our collective hats
into the ring of the Hard Seltzer. Comprised of flavors including: Grapefruit,
Berry, Blood Orange, and Lemon Lime there’s sure to be a little something for
everyone in this package.
We spent nearly a year working on
recipes, flavor combinations, new processes, packaging and identity work across
all departments.
We now can proudly say the fruits
(pun definitely intended) of our labor are yours to enjoy.
We’re happy to announce that
Fulton’s first shipment of Hard Seltzer Mixed 12packs has left the building!
We hope you’re ready to have more fun this summer. We certainly are.
Grapefruit + Lonely Blonde = Summer In A Can. Those words are directly from you Minnesota and we couldn’t say it better ourselves or be happier to hear it. So whether you’re at Target Field watching the Twins whoop the other team or you’re on a boat with friends-enjoy Minnesota.
Best paired with sunshine and enthusiastic outdoor weekend activities. Also doubles as an incredible shower beer/quick lunch beer. You choose how to fit it in but do so quick-like…we only brewed and packed this once!
Summer, at a lake, is about as Minnesotan as one can be; and fishing for walleye is a true Minnesota experience. I’ve had the luxury of going to the same lake for my entire life, Big Toad Lake in Minnesota. Some of my greatest memories as a kid were going fishing for walleye with my father. He would pack a cooler with beer for himself and a few grape and orange flavored sodas for me. I would snack on sunflower seeds all afternoon trying to catch the eluding Minnesota walleye. If we were lucky, we could catch the Minnesota Twins on the radio as well. Unfortunately, sometimes this was the only thing we caught.
I am lucky to still have my father around today so we can continue to go fishing at Big Toad Lake. Nowadays, the flavored soda is replaced with a wide range of craft beers. The sunflower seeds are still packed and we plan fishing around the Minnesota Twin’s games.
I can’t tell you the best way to land a walleye, but I can surely help you match your fresh walleye with some great craft beers. Pairing your walleye with craft beers depends on how you prepare your walleye. Below are some great examples of walleye, prepared various ways and matched with some outstanding beers. For more information and other recipes check out https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/10-of-the-greatest-walleye-recipes/332038
Walleye over Tomato-Olive Angel Hair Pasta
Dogfish Head Brewery Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA
Samuel Adams Brewing Company Summer Ale
Fargo Brewing Company Iron Horse Pale Ale
Almond-Crusted Walleye with Pears & Blue Cheese Recipe
Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted IPA
Lagunitas Brewing Company IPA
Odell Mountain Standard IPA
Baked Margarita Walleye Recipe
Bell’s Brewery Oberon Ale
Dogfish Head Brewery SeaQuench Session Sour
Summit Brewing Company Cabin Crusher Kolsch w/Lime
Pistachio-Crusted Walleye Recipe
Fargo Brewing Company Stone’s Throw Scottish Ale
August Schell Fire Brick Vienna Lager
Rhombus Brewing Co. Invincible Pale Ale
How to Grill Walleye Fillets in Foil Packets
Fair State Brewing Cooperative Pilsner
Grain Belt Brewing Company Premium Lager
August Schell Brewing Company Cream Ale
Walleye Baked With Sweet Peppers & Onions Recipe
Rhombus Brewing Co. Peace Garden IPA
Fulton Brewing Co. 300 Mosaic IPA
Bell’s Brewery Offical Hazy IPA
Walleye with Creamy Parsley Sauce Recipe
Utepils Brewing Company Skolsch
Fulton Brewing Company Lonely Blonde
Summit Brewing Company Dakota Soul Craft Lager
Fried Walleye Taco Recipe
Samuel Adams Brewing Company Sam ‘76
Empyrean Brewing Company Mind Over Mango India Pale Ale
Fair State Brewing Cooperative Pahly Hazy Pale Ale
Ultimate Walleye, Rice and Mushroom Bake Recipe
Summit Brewing Company Extra Pale Ale
Finneagan’s Brewing Company Irish Amber
Grain Belt Brewing Company Nordeast Amber Lager
Asian-Style Walleye en Papillote Recipe
Sapporo Brewing Company Premium Lager
Empyrean Brewing Company Long Route Peanut Butter Porter
We’ve never been ones to “hop” on a bandwagon too quickly (no pun intended), but it’s safe to say the IPA trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast! So we decided to give it a try ourselves. (And they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!) Schell’s IPA is the newest addition to our year-round line-up, and is hop forward, golden in color, and bursting with tropical fruity aromas. Tradition, meet trend. We think you’ll get along deliciously. Now Available in 6pk & 12pk cans along with draught.
One of my favorite past-times in the summer is attending baseball games and indulging in the great fare available at the games. I thought I would take it one step further, because I’m assuming most of us attending the games are quenching our thirst with a beer. What’s better than great ballpark food, beer and baseball?
I read a great article from Draft Magazine in the past and included an excerpt below with my beer recommendations. I also added a few extra ballpark staples with beer pairings. Whether you’re at the ballpark or in your backyard these food and beer parings are sure to be a HOMERUN!
Nachos & Kölsch, Helles or Light American Lager: If your tortilla chips are drowning in irresistibly thick, creamy cheese, toss a life ring to the crisp, corny flavor with an equally crisp and corny kölsch. The beer’s lively effervescence and clean finish easily wash away the gooey goodness.
Fargo Brewing Co. Fargo Original Helles Lager
Summit Brewing Co. Cabin Crusher Kolsch with Lime
Utepils Brewing Co. Skolsch Kolsch
Pretzel & Pilsner: In a pairing as natural as baseball and summer, a pilsner’s grainy malts extend seamlessly into the bread of the pretzel; salt punctuates the flavor before the beer’s bold bitterness whisks the doughy bite away.
Summit Brewing Co. Dakota Soul Craft Lager
Fair State Brewing Cooperative Pils
Old Style Lager
Peanuts & Brown Ale or Vienna Lager: A straightforward brown ale or Vienna lager and simple bag of peanuts throw an exciting curveball in this pairing: The beer’s rich, toasted notes meld deftly with the nutty, dry shell and salty peanut flavors, creating an intricate flavor profile.
New Castle Brown Ale
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
August Schell Brewing Co. Firebrick Lager
Hot Dog & American Pale Ale: A peppy pale ale with hops that lean green (think onion and grass) amps up vegetal notes in the relish, while countering sweet, tart condiments like mustard and ketchup. The beer’s bready malt backbone latches onto the bun, while its firm bitterness cleans up the bite.
Fargo Brewing Co. Iron Horse Pale Ale
Odell Brewing Co. Drumroll Pale Ale
Fair State Brewing Cooperative Pahlay Pale Ale
Fries (Frites) & American Premium Lager: Even if the Belgians make the best frites in the world and are the largest consumers per person, those salty potato sticks are still an American staple cuisine. In general, fries (or frites) are light in flavor profile, so opt for a brew that will help cleanse the palate.
Grain Belt Premium Lager
Pabst Blue Ribbon Lager
Coors Banquet
Sunflower Seeds & India Pale Ale: Beer and salt go together because bitter and salt go together. It’s not exactly clear why, but salt neutralizes the bitter elements and lets the taster enjoy the other characteristics in the beer. Throw some salty sunflower seeds in your mouth before and after taking a big swig of beer and your taste buds will reach a special level of enlightenment.
Lagunitas Brewing Co. India Pale Ale
Dogfish Head Brewery 60 Minute India Pale Ale
Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted India Pale Ale
Corndogs & American Blonde Ale: According to popular legend, German immigrants were the first on these shores to cover sausage with batter, supposedly to make their sausages easier to sell. The tactic worked. The corn dog – a layer of crispy, deep-fried fluffiness that gives way to a savory hot dog or sausage on a stick – became an American staple.
Fulton Brewing Co. Lonely Blonde Ale
Rhombus Guys Brewing Co. Iconic Blonde Ale
Utepils Brewing Co. KFAN Unfiltered Blonde Ale
Cracker Jack & Porter: Cracker Jack isn’t just caramel popcorn…the addition of molasses and peanuts add to the depth and variety of flavor and the low and slow baking time make this a light and crispy candy-like treat. Porter is the perfect beer to pair with Cracker Jack! Dark brown in color with aromas of caramel, toffee, and roasted malts and flavors of rich malt, brown sugar, and chocolate but only medium bodied and well carbonated to provide a smooth finish.
Empyrean Brewing Co. Long Route Peanut Butter Porter
With Rib Fest, one of Fargo’s most attended events of the summer just around the corner; June 8-11th, 2022. I thought it would be fitting to pair some beers with pork ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket for your backyard grilling pleasure. Finding the right beer to balance the flavors and spiciness of barbecue may seem over-whelming but beer is the perfect companion to whatever you’re barbecuing. The three most common ways to pair beer with any food is contrast, complement or cut.
Most barbecue sauces are a combo of sweet and acidic, sugar and vinegar, in one form or another with sauces ranging from mild to intense spiciness. Fortunately, beer’s carbonation cuts through barbecue’s fire and spice while refreshing and recharging the palate. At the same time, its complexity can complement the layers of flavor in any slab of meat.
All of this is making me Hungry! Check out the recipe below from Laura in the Kitchen; Slow Cooked BBQ Beer Pulled Pork with Spicy Slaw
Ingredients
For the Pork:
4 lb of Boneless Pork shoulder
1 cup of Beer, I like using an amber Lager
Couple slices onions
1 Tbsp of Smoked Paprika
2 Tbsp of Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp of Dried Mustard
1 tsp of Granulated Garlic
Salt, to taste
A Couple cups of BBQ sauce
For the Slaw:
4 cups of shredded coleslaw mix
1 Jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
2 Scallions, finely chopped
1 Tbsp of Sugar
1 tsp of Celery Salt
1/2 cup of Mayo
1 Tbsp of Apple cider vinegar
1 tsp of granulated garlic
Preparation
1) In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, mustard, granulated garlic and plenty of salt, rub this mixture really well on both sides of the pork, then place the pork in a slow cooker, add the onions around it, add the beer, place a lid on and cook it on high for about 6 hours or until it falls apart.
2) While the pork cooks, make the slaw. In a large bowl, add the coleslaw mix, jalapeno and scallions and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, celery salt, sugar, granulated garlic and a pinch of salt (taste and adjust with more spices of more vinegar or mayo) pour this mixture into the coleslaw mixture, toss together well, cover and pop in the fridge until ready to eat.
3) Remove the cooked pork from the slow cooker, allow it to cool so you can handle it, shred it as fine as you like, making sure to discard the fatty pieces, then place the pork in a large pan that’s safe to go straight on the grill ( I like using a disposable foil baking dish for this) add the BBQ sauce, along with some of the cooking liquid, and place it on a hot grill to cook for about an hour on medium heat until the edges of the meat caramelize a bit and the sauce is thick and bubbly.
3) Serve on buttered toasted brioche buns with a heaping spoonful of spicy slaw!
