Another week, another new brewery announcement. Of course, you'll find no complaints here (the more the merrier!). Badger Hill Brewing is the latest entrant into the rapidly-expanding Twin Cities brewery scene. The Minnetonka-based operation will celebrate Thursday night with a launch party at Senor Wong in St. Paul.
Badger Hill is the brainchild of two brothers, Broc and Brent Krekelberg. The guys are all about well-balanced ales that tip a hat to their American and European roots. The first beer out of the gate is an ESB (Extra Special Bitter), which they're calling MSB (Minnesota Special Bitter). The beer will be on tap Thursday at Senor Wong, with the first 100 pours on the house (starting 5 p.m.).
The rest of Badger's line up will lean heavy on German and Belgian styles. Down the road, be on the lookout for Foundation Stout and Three Tree American Rye. The brewery itself has an interesting set up. The guys are brewing out of Lucid's brewery in Minnetonka. But this isn't contract brewing. Instead, it's a federal designation called an Alternating Proprietorship agreement, which allows two licensed breweries to brew in the same facility. Read more about it here. And for a deeper look at Badger Hill's back story, check out this interview with the good folks at Minnesota Beer Activists here.
More good news for Thursday's launch: The Twin Cities Jazz Festival also starts the same day, so plan to stay late and check out some great music. Ralph Hepola's HepTones will play at Senor Wong from 8-10 p.m.
Event details: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 28. Señor Wong, 111 Kellogg Blvd. E., St. Paul. 651-224-2019. www.senorwong.com
More on Badger Hill: www.badgerhillbrewing.com
