First Crack Podcast with Garrick Van Buren » Beer

First Crack 121. Drink Beer from a Cat’s Butt: Tasting of Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Brunch

Garrick Van Buren — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:38:49 +0000

Now that Surly’s Coffee Bender has become the pinnacle of Coffee Stouts I’m on a quest for interesting and unique coffee beers. I picked up bottle of Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Brunch – an oatmeal stout with civet coffee.

After the civet coffee review with Sam Buchanan how could I not take this beer home.

10.9% alcohol in a 1 Pint 0.9 oz. bottle.

My tasting notes:

Short version: “It doesn’t want to be drunk.”

Long version: Listen to Drink Beer from a Cat’s Butt: A Tasting of Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Brunch [11 min].

Flat Earth Releases Angry Planet @ Acadia Cafe June 30

Garrick Van Buren — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:50:12 +0000

From FlatEarthBrewing.com:

“Flat Earth is sponsoring 10 hours of awesome bands and we will release our next and long awaited beer named Angry Planet, an American pale ale made with organic ingredients.”

From AcadiaCafe.com:

Flat Earth Brewing & Acadia Cafe Present
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Time: 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Cover Charge: $5.00
Ages: All Ages

Flat Earth Revival
All Day Music Fest and Flat Earth Brewery Organic Ale release
!!!!$1 Organic Ale Pints with admission!!!!

lineup:
2pm Roe Family Singers
3:15pm Steve Kaul (Brass Kings mystery appearance?)
4:30pm Carl Johnson (The Non Brothers Johnson)
5:45pm John Wills
7:00pm Anthony Newes
8:45pm Painted Saints
10:30pm Night in the Box

First Crack 96. Jeff Williamson on St. Paul’s Flat Earth Brewing

Garrick Van Buren — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 22:21:59 +0000

As Jeff Williamson, co-owner of St. Paul’s Flat Earth Brewing Co. awaits kegs to distribute the first batch of Flat Earth Pale Ale, he and I talk about;

Getting a microbrewery off the ground
How a new child changed his the direction of Flat Earth
Flat Earth’s place in Minnesota’s beer scene.

Listen to Jeff Williamson on St. Paul’s Flat Earth Brewery [16 min].

Surly’s Coffee Bender at the Acadia – Best of Both Worlds

Garrick Van Buren — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:49:07 +0000

Last night, I popped by the Acadia Cafe to update their podcast settings – it’s been moved to AcadiaCast.com. While testing everything out, Ted surprised me with a pint of Surly Brewing’s new Coffee Bender.

It’s a fantastic beer, one that Omar hinted at during our podcast. The most complex of all Surly’s beers – in addition to their signature hoppiness, and Bender’s oatmeal, the coffee adds a chocolate finish and a contemplative nature to the pint.

First Crack 81. Omar Ansari Talks Surly Beer

Garrick Van Buren — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 03:47:44 +0000

Fewer than 6 months after seling the first keg of Surly Beer, Omar Ansari and I talk about starting a microbrewery in Minnesota. He shares the challenges of finding brewing equipment, zoning, and getting Surly into local bars and restaurants.

We also do a live tasting of Surly’s new Belgian Saison-esque CynicAle

Listen to Omar Ansari talk Surly Beer [34 min]

First Crack 70. Ted Lowell from the Acadia Cafe on Being an Original Venue

Garrick Van Buren — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:22:00 +0000

Last year, PodcastMN got it’s start over drinks at the Acadia Cafe. This week, I sat down with Ted Lowell – one of the owners.

We talk about:

The history of the Acadia Cafe.
The decision to be an all original music venue.
What it’s like having a Starbucks across the street.
Riding the 75-cent pony.
Having one of the best beer selections in all of the Twin Cities.

Listen to Ted Lowell from the Acadia Cafe on Being An Original Venue [23 min]