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At this point in the Minnesota State Fair’s history, the new drinks list might just be more anticipated than the new foods. It certainly is longer. With 53 brand-new beers, wines and drinks to choose from, it’s nearly impossible to try them all (though a merry band of us will attempt to do just that early next week: full reviews to come). So I’m here to offer you the 10 that I’m most excited to try as someone who knows the local beer scene — and the trends within it — well. This year’s list, like last year’s, is heavy on fruity and sweet beers and drinks, and while I understand novelty is the name of the game here, I really do wish there were more pilsners and straight-up IPAs on the list. With that said, in no particular order, here are my picks: 1. Berry Go Round Sour: A mixed-culture Berliner Weise aged for more than a year in 80-year-old cypress wood layering tanks before being refermented on raspberries, blackberries, strawberries … [Read more...] about Our 10 top picks from Minnesota State Fair’s new drink list

Unfiltered Business by Bauhaus Brew Labs Unlike a lot of the craft breweries in the Twin Cities, Bauhaus Brew Labs does not release a ton of taproom-only beers. In fact, until recently, you could pretty much only get the brewery’s flagships or a few limited seasonals in its taproom. But that is changing, and it’s pretty exciting. The brewery, which is known for its lagers, has released this spot-on Keller Pils, a crisp, utterly quaffable, unfiltered pilsner, for taproom consumption, and I can’t recommend it enough. The pilsner trend is one of my favorites, not only because a good one is tough to make, but also because I just really love drinking them. Let’s hope the trend sticks around, and especially that this particular one comes back often. International Bittering Units (IBU): 22; Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.7 percent Bauhaus Brew Labs: 1315 Tyler St. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-276-6911; bauhausbrewlabs.com … [Read more...] about Unfiltered pilsner a quaffable win for Bauhaus Brew Labs

If you’re like us, it’s not the Minnesota State Fair without a day dedicated to trying the new foods. To maximize your time in making it to as many as possible, it’s best to plan your route. After all, might as well try the Fried Tacos on a Stick after your pilgrimage to the Deep-Fried Dilly Dog stand while you’re in the vicinity before heading north for those Cheesy Sriracha Funnel Cake Bites. We’re here to help. To strategically plan your route, here’s the complete list of 2019 official new Minnesota State Fair foods and a map showing where all 38 are located: 1. Bada Bing Sandwich: Italian-inspired warm flatbread sandwich with ham, salami, melted mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil and creamy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. (At The Sandwich Stop, located on the west side of Clough Street between Carnes and Judson avenues.) 2. Blueberry Key Lime Pie: Blueberry-key lime filling in a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and fresh … [Read more...] about The new State Fair foods and where to find them

Pronto Pups vs. Corn Dogs? Let’s settle this once and for all during the Great Minnesota Get-Together, which starts Thursday. That’s the idea behind a project from students at Dunwoody College of Technology that aims to set the age-old debate to rest on whether the Fair’s Corn Dogs or Pronto Pups, a version of the corn dog with a different batter, reigns. They’re using robotic arm technology in which Fairgoers can vote Team Pronto Pup or Team Corn Dog by pressing one of two buttons. The robotic arm then picks up the corresponding button and dispenses it to the person who just voted. That way, you can proudly display your vote. The robot will track the votes and give daily updates through social media. Updates can be found by visiting facebook.com/dunwoodycollege. So if you have a strong opinion on the fair’s two versions of the wiener/sausages dipped in batter and served on a stick, head to the Dunwoody booth in the Education Building at the Minnesota … [Read more...] about Pronto Pups vs. Corn Dogs? Tell it to the robot

All the fixings for pho ga from Pho Co. Variety Photo by Aimsel Ponti I could eat pho at least once a week for the rest of my life, and it’s doubtful I would grow tired of it. It’s comforting, for one, and the assemblage of its ingredients makes it a participatory meal. I have to do a little bit of work, and the reward is a flavorful container of brothy goodness with rice noodles, bean sprouts, basil, lime and in this case, hand-shredded chicken breast. IF YOU GO PHO CO. VARIETY WHERE: 158 Spring St., WestbrookINFO: (207) 409-5822, On Facebook.HOURS: Kitchen open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m  SaturdayWAIT: 5 minutesPARKING: Off-street spots available on side of buildingWHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes So the news that delicious pho is now available only 2.3 miles away from my office made me very happy. Pho Co. Variety recently opened in Westbrook, and the same day I went to pick up my first to-go order, I ran into a co-worker who was … [Read more...] about Take out tasty broth, banh mis and bubble tea from Pho Co.