Happy birthday, Harriet
In the Twin Cities, 2011 was the Year of Beer. The Surly Bill passed, more microbreweries opened and craft-beer lists became mandatory on the restaurant scene. Looking back, this great year began with the opening of Harriet Brewing, Minneapolis' first new brewery in years. On Friday, Harriet celebrates its one-year anniversary with a bash at the Blue Nile.
Brewer Jason Sowards captured our taste buds with his daring takes on Belgian-style brews. He'll show off this deep portfolio at the party with a total tap takeover (12 beers). I'm most looking forward to the release of Elevator Doppelbock (his take on the malty German style), plus Sowards' variations on his flagship beers (such as a Merlot barrel-aged Dark Abbey). If you've been to the brewery, you know Sowards is a big local arts supporter. In addition to the beer, the party will feature a lineup of live bands and live painting.
- Beer flights start at 4 p.m. Fri 1/27 (music starts at 6 p.m.)
- 2027 E. Franklin Av., Mpls
- $10
- 612-338-3000
- www.harrietbrewing.com
Kiss the ring, say trivia bosses Going out for a drink? You can't throw a beer mug in this town without hitting a Trivia Mafia host in the head. In five years, the bar-trivia crew has grown from a two-person outfit to the leader of the pack (25 bars and counting). The Trivia dons, Sean McPherson (of Heiruspecs) and Chuck Terhark, will celebrate their five-year anniversary at the 331 Club on Sunday. The big quiz will feature the usual shenanigans ("hip-hop charades"), plus "Unfair-aoke" (contestants forced to sing without the lyrics).
- 8 p.m. Sun 1/29
- 331 Club, 13th Av. NE., Mpls
- Free
- www.triviamafia.com
