‘Surly’ Beer Far from Menacing

Also on this page
• Box Wines Work to Shed Stigma
• Tops with Tomko
• Edina Liquor Helps Toast the Irish

Omar Ansari, owner of Brooklyn Center’s Surly Brewing Company, defines the inspiration for his locally produced brew as “the anger fueled by the inability to find good beer.” Beer enthusiasts agree that Surly has quickly made that inability a thing of the past, and helped rejuvenate a once shallow market for world-class beer.

The Surly Brewing Company officially began production in 2005 after Ansari converted his family-owned sandpaper factory into a brewery. Only ten years after receiving his first homebrew beer kit, Ansari’s passion has helped him produce a variety of “brews with bragging rights” for a thirsty market of craft beer aficionados.

Unless on tap, Surly comes in a 16-ounce cans. Before savoring, be sure to follow the “beer for a glass, from a can” recommendation printed on each one. This beer is truly at its finest when poured into a glass. Also, Surly isn’t pasteurized, so keep it cold at all times in order to preserve freshness.

Try these different styles of Surly, all available at Edina Liquor:

Furious: Surly’s flagship made with a bounty of American hops.
Cynic: European ingredients, including Belgian yeast, combine to create this sweet, fruity and peppery ale.
Bitter Brewer: Pale orange in color and dry-hopped to give a floral and citrusy aroma, this is Surly’s mildest beer with 4 percent alcohol content.

Bender: A smooth, easy-drinking brown ale from Belgian and British malts.

Coffee Bender: This amped-up bender is brewed using a cold extraction process that infuses it with an intense coffee flavor and aroma.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Surly’s Smoke, a Baltic porter made with smoked malt that hit stores early this year.

Patrick Loch is a beer enthusiast and Clerk at Edina Liquor -- Southdale.

Box Wines Work to Shed Stigma

Since their inception in the mid-1960s, box wines have continued to receive a bum rap. In the beginning, the jests and jabs were somewhat deserved as the actual product found sloshing around within the box was usually of low quality with a poor flavor. Figuring out how to get at the wine was complicated and messy. However, those days are far gone, and there is now a box wine available for nearly every wine consumer.

The steady increase in wine consumption has helped spur the influx of some great box wines. Improvements in the cask, or bladder that holds the wine within the box, have increased the shelf life of opened box wines.

After being opened, a typical bottle of wine will quickly mix with air, changing its flavor within hours. A box wine, on the other hand, works like a vacuum. No air is allowed in as the wine is poured, allowing it to stay fresh for 30 days or more. New box designs now allow white or rose wines to be stored in the refrigerator for use as needed, while reds can be kept on the counter or in a cupboard for weeks.

As producers have embraced this new technology, the quality of the wine itself has increased. Great box wines now come from all over California, Washington and other countries, with types ranging from Chardonnay to Malbec.

Some producers have even taken the box wine concept a step further by using the same technology as others in the beverage industry. You can now find wine that comes in screw-top boxes, just like milk or juice, ranging in size from liters to individual servings in four-pack containers. These containers make for convenient portability and are great for trips or outings of any kind.

The next time you are shopping for wine, give a box wine another chance. You will be pleasantly surprised, and may find that it fits your needs and tastes better than a traditional bottle.

Greg Keehr is Assistant Liquor Operations Director and Manager of Edina Liquor -- Grandview.

Tops with Tomko

Inkberry Shiraz Cabernet 2007: Produced with grapes from high-elevation vineyards that have a low yield per acre, this wine gives off an intense aroma of blackberry and plum. It is full-bodied with primary flavors of black currants and black cherry, with just a hint of spice and licorice. Pair it with steak or a hearty stew. $11.99

Punto Final Malbec 2008: Deep, rich and full of flavor, this is what an Argentine malbec should taste like. This red has flavors of mixed dark fruits with mild, unobtrusive tannins. The lightly spicy finish lingers nicely. At 97 percent malbec and 3 percent cabernet franc, this wine holds just a touch of earthiness for complexity. A superb wine at a great price! $12.99

Matua Pinot Noir 2008: Soft and generous, this New Zealand pinot noir has red and dark fruit flavors accentuated with hints of earthy mushroom, cedar and herbs. The tannins are mild, and the velvety flavor lingers on the palate. Try pairing with roasted pork or chicken. $11.99

Quo Grenache 2008: This is a great bargain on a Spanish garnacha wine. It is medium-bodied, with lively strawberry and red fruit flavors. The fruit is framed by hints of spice with mild tannins, and a nice acidity is followed by a fruity finish. Try this wine with any rich, meat-based dish. $10.99     

Dave Tomko is Assistant Manager of Edina Liquor – Southdale.

Edina Liquor Helps Toast the Irish

On St. Patrick’s Day, even the non-Irish tend to embrace the spirit of the holiday. Along with shamrocks and corned beef, people find their attention pulled toward identifiably Irish drinks.

Ireland is widely recognized for its whiskey production, but it wasn’t until the nomadic Celts brought the art of distillation to Europe from Asia in the 12^th century that the popular spirit was born. However, the “uisce beatha” -- or “water of life” -- that was distilled all those years ago tastes nothing like the Irish whiskey of today.  

Early Irish whiskey was typically drunk fresh from the still in which it was made. The tradition of storing whiskey in wooden barrels did not come along until much later, but it was this technique that has had the most profound effect (and improvement) on the liquor’s taste.

Today, for a spirit to be considered Irish whiskey, it must be distilled from grain mash on the island of Ireland. It must then be stored in wooden casks for at least three years and bottled at no less than 80 proof (40 percent alcohol).

Over the past five years, Irish whiskey has been the hottest “brown” spirit sold at Edina Liquor. Jameson leads the way, but we also carry a selection of Bushmills, Michael Collins, Redbreast, John Powers and Tullamore Dew Irish whiskeys.

Beer is also near and dear to the Irish. For those who like a heavier style, lift a pint of Guinness. If you enjoy it on tap, be sure to try it in cans or bottles. If a more traditional beer is what you’re looking for, try toasting the luck of the Irish with Harp Lager. It has a full flavor without the bite.

For the Irish at heart who want something a little different, try Baileys Irish Cream, a cream-based liqueur made with Irish whiskey. We carry original-, mint-, caramel- and coffee-flavored varieties. Try a taste in your coffee and see what you’re missing!

This year, have a safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day and cheers to all our Irish and non-Irish friends!

Steve Grausam is Liquor Operations Director. He can be reached by sending an email to edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us.