BEERflections ~ Minneapolis and Back Again

You see it all the time; those lovey-dovey sister relationships. From real life to television exaggeration, sisters love each other through thick and thin until death do part. It’s natural. A given. The best.

Obviously those pundits missed out on over a decade of the Lier sisters not so lovey-dovey relationship. Downright hostile comes to mind. I’m sure there are a forest of white hairs between Mom and Dad that we are responsible for. Years passed in tense civility and then something strange happened, something unexpected and a little bit wondrous.

Time.

I’m no angel of mercy, but it really is amazing what a dash of time and a sprinkling of maturity can do for a person. Now we are friends, equals, peers, and our own individual persons, too. All it took was a little bit of happiness, some beer, and my new baby niece.

When Jenn decided she was going to bring her new bundle of joy, her trusty beagle Skyler, and herself down to Vero Beach for a much needed reprieve, it was immediately agreed upon that she wasn’t going to make the drive alone. Mom road down with Jenn and the gang for the first part of the trip, but who was going to ride back?

The answer was a phone call away.

There I was at work minding my own business, alternating between work-time and play-time when my cell phone rang. It was the sis. We chittered for a few about this and that, and then Jenn delivered unto me a different kind of joyous bundle. She asked if I would like to make the return trip with her. A brief moment of surprise quickly morphed into joyous excitement. Heck yeah! Work wouldn’t be a problem; Sharon and I could work it out between us. As long as shifts were covered, Toby should be OK with it. Right on! Jenn generously took care of planning the routes, hotels (thanks Josh and Marriott rewards), and my plane ticket home (thanks Jenn). A few hiccups later, the plan was solid and I immediately started researching must-see beer destinations in and around Minneapolis. Wherever I go and whatever I do somehow someway involves beer. Jenn and Josh are also beer aficionados so it was a win-win for all.

Time moved along as it always does and soon the moment of our departure arrived. Bags were packed, Skyler loaded, baby strapped in, hugs and kisses exchanged, and off we went. Mom held herself together admirably well and even Dad was a wee bit misty eyed. Our first stop was at Doc’s so I could visit with my baby, Mr. D, who was quite sick and spent the majority of my trip in their tender care. Huge hugs and thanks to Doc Johnson and his staff at the Indian River Animal Hospital for taking such good care of my baby while I was a worried mom away.

When embarking on a road trip, I am usually the one driving. This trip though, Jenn did all the driving for our trek home to Minneapolis, side-trips included. Being the wide-eyed passenger this time around, I sat in the back with the lil munchkin while lazily soaking in the passing scenery. It’s a whole different world out there road-tripping as a passenger versus as the driver. Many of my mornings en route were spent reading my way through more of The Ultimate Guide to Spirits and Cocktails by Andre Domine and his host of contributors and editors.

The first leg of our drive was to Macon, GA and like a disillusioned fool in desperate denial of the impending cold, I decked out in shorts and a t-shirt. It’s only to Georgia; that’s not too far north of Florida so sunshine and warm weather awaits. Hah! Was I ever wrong. Cold, rain, and general nastiness was my cruel Georgia reality. Brr! I could do nothing else but stubbornly tell myself it wasn’t all that bad in my mental war against the miserable wet cold conditions. Nearing our first destination, we stopped at a Kroger so I could pick up a couple six packs of beer for the trip. Ah Kroger, how you shine high above the dim flicker that is Publix. Publix may reign in the south, Florida specifically, but in regards to cleanliness, layout, selection, and overall classiness, Kroger has them beat hands-down. Scouting out their beer selection, what did my thirsty eyes find but New Belgium beervana. Hallelujah and peanut butter. A 6pack each of 1554 Black Ale and 2* Below tucked under each arm, I skittered across the parking lot to the blessedly heated car patiently awaiting my return. Only later did the sad irony of New Belgium being distributed in Georgia but not Florida hit me. We are neighborly states, after all. Hopefully it is a positive portend of distribution to come, but as of now New Belgium is not to be found in my home state of sunshine, sandy beaches, tiki bars, and thirsty beer geeks.

To side-step for a moment, I still want to know what that “Warning: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, wine, coolers, and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and during pregnancy can cause birth defects” sign in the hotel lobby restroom was really all about. Bad grammar notwithstanding, I thought about asking but was afraid a herd of rapture-crazed teetotalers would descend upon me like a swarm of locusts in a perverted attempt to brainwash, er, save my errant soul. Whatever. I think I’ll have a beer.

Before I delve into the next leg of our trip, let me mention once more the awesomeness that is Kroger. After leaving Macon, GA the next morning, we spent a few on the road before stopping over in Dalton, GA for some gas, lunch, and a general stretching of the legs, all ten of them. We purposely stopped at the same Kroger that Mom and Jenn stopped at on their drive down. Besides having the largest selection of Tsunami Sushi I have ever seen and was more than happy to eat (mm… baby octopus), they had one of the most impressive beer selections I have seen in a grocery store, let alone a large chain like Krogers. Remember, I am talking about a grocery store and not a specialty liquor store. From a full endcap dedicated to mix and match singles to snappily placed floor stacks of Samuel Adams and New Belgium to two heartily stocked rows of beer with a purpose, I was humbly impressed as evidenced by a growth spurt in my collection of beer. Well done Kroger, well done.

Moving onward from Kroger beer and sushi paradise, we landed in Indianapolis. Along the way I spotted Bourbon Trail signs aplenty that set my heart aflutter and my mouth awatering. One of these days I’ll be doing more than just sign-spotting from the interstate. I’ll be touring, supping, and savoring each and every one of them while bringing a bottle or three home for extended supping enjoyment.

But I digress, though happily so.

Have you ever heard of Dark Lord Day? No, it’s not the second coming or some religious schlock like that. It is simply one of the most coveted release days for a beer (Dark Lord) that draws in beer geek aficionados from all over the USofA to the little town of Munster, Indiana. Three Floyds Brewing (FFF) is their name and brewing damn good beer is their game. A detour and a relative later put us on the trail to FFF and their Brewpub of gastronomic delights. I could easily vacation for a week or two in Munster (during the summer) so I could heartily drink of their beers and eagerly eat of their food before bidding a tearful yet sated farewell…till next time. Plans will indubitably be executed. Huge thanks to Jenn for devising this brilliant stopover on our way to Chicago. If you live in Chicago and haven’t been to FFF, there is something wrong with you. The drive is minimal and the reward enormous.

I discovered something interesting while casually browsing the Brewpub’s chalkboard of FFF and guest drafts: babies aren’t allowed in Indiana bars. After a very earnest bartender enlightened my ignorance, I shamefully retreated to the family-friendly side of the Brewpub. On one hand, laws are laws, but at the same time it was laughably ridiculous. She is three months old. Three. It’s not like I was going to bottle feed her beer or something outrageously unthinkable like that. Other than silly semantics to please the beer (and alcohol) prejudiced, there really is no discernable difference other than a few feet of floor space between me browsing a beer menu in the bar versus browsing a beer menu in the dining area. Silly yes, but that’s just the way it is, I guess. Moment of embarrassment aside, I had as much fun geeking out as Jenn did watching me geek out.

Beer in hand, our rumbling stomachs were addressed in proper order by a couple selections from the small plate menu. Jenn got their fries with a side of house-made horseradish while I got their mussels steamed in Gumballhead with diced celery, onions, and herbs. Lipsmackingfanfreakingtastic. When my mountain of mussels arrived, the concept of small plate achieved new heights. If this is their small, I’m glad I didn’t order from the large plate portion of the menu. Complaining I am not, but Wow! Of course, I needed no help in polishing off those mussel morsels along with a glass each of Ham On Rye, a smoked rye ale, and Scarf Patrol, a bourbon barrel-aged Oat Goop. From their take-home beer menu, also on a chalkboard but thankfully in the family friendly dining area, I scored a 22oz bomber each of Brian Boru and Behemoth. On their guest bottle list was the Cantillon Classic Geueze so she was added to my travelling stash of beer. Mm… Cantillon, how you make my heart sing.

We wiled away a few good hours at the FFF Brewpub partially in hope of missing out on some of Chicago’s rush-hour. Hah! Irrelevant traffic concerns aside, the FFF Brewpub was time well spent. I marveled at the steady flow of patrons from all walks of life. Just like the delicious beers they brew and tasty food they cook, variety was the spice of life and good times were obviously being had by all. Before parting ways, I bought a FFF tulip-style pint glass but struck out in the t-shirt department for both myself and Tim. Sheesh! What is it with me, brewpubs, and t-shirts? Where is the love? ~hugs glass~ At least I have you. You love me don’t you. Yes you do.

One last stopover before Minneapolis involved Glenview, Illinois and relatives I haven’t seen in years. Our troop of road-weary persons made one last visit with Karen, Bill, Tom, Lisa, Sandy, and a passel of noisy yet well-behaved kids; kids will be kids after all. The lil munchkin was the undeniable star of the stay, and though I tend to shy up in a crowd of people, even relatives, it was good seeing everyone again and doing well. I know I mentioned it before, but I haven’t seen some of them in ten years if not more. These are relatives I’ve laughed with, cried with, played with, and been to weddings with. Definitely going to have to work on not being such strangers, whether it means a visit up north or even better yet, getting them back down in Vero Beach for some more fun in the sun.

On par with my FFF Brewpub visit, the Historic Casanova Liquors in Hudson, Wisconsin was my other extreme highlight. And not just for me either, Jenn and Josh dug the digs which truly are historic, having been established in 1896. They even have beer caves, real beer caves right next to the store where Casanova Liquors hosts beer cave dinners and beer cave tastings. I reflect in humble awe and shameless envy. Being the dead of winter, the St. Croix River may have been frozen over and the boats covered in blue, but the town was still aglow in life and small town charm. Hudson, Wisconsin has been officially added to my growing list of beercation destinations to do sooner than later, during the summer time of course. She has it all: beer, food, local life, water, boats, mountains, and a view. Shazam!

Three weeks in Vero Beach soaking up the sunshine and mostly warm weather spoiled the lil munchkin for her inevitable return to said cold weather. She does not like the snow and the cold anymore, no she does not. After I left Historic Casanova Liquors with a box of beautiful beery bounty, we all loaded up and puttered back home. I didn’t get to visit their bar, Nova, to sample the spiritous wares or their food, but that’s just one more thing to look forward to when I beercation there. I also forgot to buy my allotment of Bells Batch #9000, but that’s life. I still left with such delectable delights as De Molen, New Glarus, Southern Tier, Goose Island, and many more I can't remember at the moment.

During all of my beercation (new words are cool), I determined my black shoes were a total failure in the snow and slush so I stubbornly went back to my toe-socks with flip-flops which worked unflappably well much to my surprise. Of course, it probably helped that the whole time I was there the sun shone, the snow melted, and the temperature even made it into the 40s. It was warmer in Minneapolis then it was in Vero Beach, relatively speaking, during my enjoyable tenure.

In Minneapolis herself, Pairings and Barley John’s were the must-visit destinations of this particular trip. Pairings was first and despite the best efforts of a dastardly head-cold, I persevered in having a grand ol’ time. Pairings is a quaint and modern market/café/shop, making for a relaxing respite from the daily trappings of Minneapolis life. My butternut squash Panini was an especially delightful virgin foray into butternut squash tasting territory. With a side of house-made potato chips, lightly salted, she was just what the doctor ordered. Delicious! Another personal treat was their limited yet diverse selection of artisanal cheeses. Is that Rogue Blue and Chimay Cheese I see? Why yes, it is. Jenn bought a wedge of Rogue Blue to go, but no Chimay. Till next time my Trappist friends, till next time. Besides, one should savor their Chimay Cheese with some Chimay beer, of which none was handily available. Bellies stuffed, we wandered next door to the shop portion of Pairings where I cruised their impressively diverse beer selection. Willful restraint engaged, I left with only a partial box of assorted beery treats even though I could have easily left with a car full of beery treats.

Even with a steady influx of drugs, my head-cold persisted in his efforts to spoil my beercation with the sis. The last stop of my visit was Barley John’s. For as delicious as the beers were and scrumptious as the bar grub was, the end of my energy had been reached. Barley John’s didn’t get as much of the full embrace of my beer geek foodie indulgence as he should have, but darned if I didn’t try. The roulette of four tasters went down smooth and tasty, but the glass of Belgian-style Tripel I had ordered in advance to warm up in time to be the piece-de-la-resistance stared back at me in baleful tragedy. Tired, run-down, and just plain blah, I left that full glass of delicious looking yet un-tasted Belgian-style Tripel behind, an innocent victim of my ill circumstance. Tears were shed that day as we parted ways. My ill fortune aside, Barley John’s is a tiny little brewpub in the suburb of New Brighton, Minnesota that brews good beers with a whole lot of heart. Within his humble wood walls lay an oasis of good beer and good which I will have to better savor during a healthier visit.

My last night at Jenn and Josh’s was spent feeling exactly like the exhausted lump I was on the living room couch. I came. I saw. I tasted. I conquered. And then I wiped out. A successful beercation was definitely had. All that remained was a plane trip home and a welcome reunion with my baby, Mr. D, who himself had returned home earlier that very morning.

Throughout our ten days of road-trippin and exploration, Jenn and I laughed, shared, and caught up on old times while creating a treasure trove of new memories. I couldn’t be happier for that phone call which offered up this chance to be sisters in good times. To more good times and good memories, thanks for being my sis and for BEERtrekkin to Minneapolis and back again with me.

Love lots,
Kristyn.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)