Eighteen Nokomis members participated in our "Journey To Babble" through Twin Cities craft breweries on Saturday, May 2, 2015, to see what all the foodie fuss is about. Turns out that there was plenty.
We lucked out big time with the perfect weather: clear sky, warm-but-not-hot temperatures, light breeze. Wow, who planned that?
Our four-stop adventure commenced at Northbound Brewpub where we grabbed a bite to eat along with our first beer samples. This place was a hit and deserves repeat visits with its excellent, innovative food at reasonable prices, gregarious and attentive waitstaff, and flavorful brews and cocktails. If nothing else, the idea of a smoked egg salad sandwich has piqued more than one participant’s interest, and I’m sure we will make Northbound another Nokomis after-meeting dining destination.
Next was a visit to Roseville’s Bent Brewstillery, which offered nice al fresco sipping and, surprisingly, dining courtesy of a food truck in the parking lot. We were surprised by the quality of the beer here and the variety of styles. Bent also offered a flight of craft sodas as well as cocktail-like coffee offerings. It also supplied a variety of card and board games. It did not take long for our lively group to find the “Cards Against Humanity” deck. Like Northbound, many members may seek this place out on their own, now that we know where it’s hidden, camouflaged in an ubiquitous industrial park. (Who knew?) Two thumbs up!
The idea was to challenge participants’ ideas and tastes, so that’s where the next stop, Burning Brothers Brewing, came in. Was it the best beer? Hmmm, maybe not for most tasters, but for anyone on a gluten-free regimen, Burning Brothers provides nice viable options.
Rounding out our day was a Twin Cities’ up-and-coming hotspot: Bauhaus Brew Labs. This place had a definite, young vibe, but one that welcomed everyone to its big, open-air party. Full tables of enthusiastic, friendly beer enthusiasts populated Bauhaus’ expansive warehouse and generous outside covered patio. The beer was good, but the greater appeal of this place is its social energy. Like Bent, there was a food truck available. It also had an popular bean bag toss game going on the patio. If you’re looking for a social experience, this is the place to go.
I think everyone had fun. While not every stop was stellar, all of them were worthwhile. After all, our goal was to sample and learn something new. And we did. And will again!
