Republic has suddenly shot to the head of the class when it comes to monster draft lines. On Thursday afternoon, the Seven Corners beer bar will unveil its expanded tap list – 57 total(!). The cozy pub opened last May in the old Sgt. Preston's boasting 32 taps. A sizable tap list and nicely curated with American craft and well-loved European brands. With beer sales booming at the bar, co-owner Matty O'Reilly said a big expansion was only logical. Very few Twin Cities bars have more than 50 draft lines dedicated to craft beer (Happy Gnome being one of them).

"We've had a commitment to craft beer since day one," O'Reilly said. "We haven't sold any macro beers on tap. Our focus is giving the little guy a chance. And people have responded to that. It's not a trend that's going away."

The expanded list will allow O'Reilly to be more flexible with his selection. Four of the new draft lines will be dedicated to "featured" beers, which will rotate often. Typically they'll be kegs he's been sitting on for a special occasion. The four he'll feature first are:

Fulton War & Peace
Surly Smoke
Harriet Nourrice Saison
Steel Toe Dissent

One of the 57 lines is actually a beer engine that'll pump cask ale up from the basement. O'Reilly said the bar will launch a cask program in June (probably a weekly thing with a cask every Friday). In time, he'd like to ramp it up and have cask-conditioned beer available at all times.

I say: Cheers to all of that.

Details: 221 Cedar Av. S., Mpls. 612-338-6146. www.republicmn.com

(Photo by David Joles)