Town Hall Brewery - Craft Brewpub in Minneapolis

My husband looks back on our summer trip to Minneapolis and writes about one of his favorite beer finds.

On the outskirts of downtown Minneapolis, just past the Metrodome, lies Town Hall Brewery.  Unlike the more widely available Minnesota brews by Surly and Summit (some of which have been distributed out of state), Town Hall beers are only available at the brewpub.  I was eager to try these only-in-MN beers, especially their famous IPA, Masala Mama.

I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to sample some of their fantastic brews.  Fortunately, they have tasting flights available (five 5oz pours for $7 or $9) which can be supplemented with additional 5oz tastes. The brewpub has a stellar lineup that includes lagers, pale ales and dark ales.  I tried the refreshing Dortmunder lager and two robust dark beers: the Abominable (a coffee porter) and the Black H20 Oatmeal Stout.  

However, the highlight of the visit was the Masala Mama (6% ABV) - a crisp, hoppy, and balanced American India Pale Ale with tons of malt flavor.  There were three versions of this IPA on tap:  regular, cask, and a mango version (I didn't really like this last flavor).  The cask version definitely stole the show, and is one of the best versions of an IPA I have ever tried.  Too bad this isn't available outside of MN!

Town Hall Brewery is located at 1430 Washington Ave. South in Minneapolis, MN.

HLFD in MN: Brasa Premium Rotisserie Restaurant

It wasn't just cheesy goodness we found when we were in Minneapolis.   After asking my friends on Twitter where to go, a couple people suggested Brasa, a great casual rotisserie restaurant.  Melt in your mouth braised beef that's also locally sourced? Organic ingredients in Creole cooking?  We honestly didn't think we would find all of this in MN, but we were pleasantly surprised.

There were other surprises in MN, including this bar on the go.  According to Pedal Pub's website, you can rent this vehicle (seats 16) and provide the food, beverages (including alcohol), and leg power.  Can't find this at home!

But it was rotisserie chicken we had in mind.  We made it to Brasa just as it opened.  There's a good-sized patio space, but we opted to dine inside right by the large opened glass garage doors.

My hubby's faves:  hot sauces and cold beer!

Brasa was opened in 2007 by Alexander Roberts, the 2010 James Beard Award-winner for Best Chef - Midwest Chef.  He has worked in some of our favorite NYC restaurants (Gramercy Tavern, Bouley, and Union Square Cafe).  With Brasa, he created a rotisserie restaurant that serves organic, sustainably produced food.

We decided to share a plate of 3 meats and 2 sides ($17.25).  We both loved the juicy Braised Beef that was lightly smoked and braised with sweet-spicy sauce.  It was our overall favorite as it just melted in our mouths!  Their signature Rotisserie Chicken was well seasoned.  We liked the Creole-style dry rub used to roast the chicken.  My hubby liked the Heritage Berkshire Pork Shoulder.  It was slow roasted with citrus, garlic, and pepper.

And their sides were also amazing.  We had the Creamed Spinach and Jalapeno which wasn't that spicy but flavorful.  We liked how it wasn't as overly creamy as other creamed spinach sides we've had at steakhouses.  This side definitely had more greens than cream.  Our favorite side was the Collards with Smoked Turkey.  Though we preferred the unforgettable collard greens at Hattie's, this dish was also fantastic.  With bits of smoked turkey, these collards aren't mushy and have an easy, slightly bitter taste.  Our lunch was the best meal we've ever had in a converted gas station!  

Brasa Restaurant is located at 600 East Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, MN.  (There's a second location in St. Paul's, MN)

Cheesy Tastes of the Midwest: Mac n' Cheese Pizza and Jucy Lucy

Other than Chicago, we haven't had the opportunity to check out the food scene in the Midwest...until now.  With my recent trips out to Madison, WI and then meeting up with my husband in Minneapolis, MN (for a wedding), I indulged in a couple popular Midwestern comfort foods.

The first thing I heard when I arrived at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison was a cow mooing (honest!). It was a toy cow that had tipped over in one of the airport stores (where these shirts were being sold).

When in Wisconsin, I had to eat some cheese! So I looked online and found local pizzeria Ian's Pizza and ordered their top-selling pizza:  the Mac n' Cheese pizza ($10, 12 inch). 

It was carb-tastic.  There's something oddly comforting about mixing mac n' cheese and pizza.  I think it's also best enjoyed with a cold pint of beer and friends to share this heavy dish.  I made it through almost 75% of the pizza before collapsing into a satisfying food coma.

Ian's Pizza has various locations.  I ordered my pizza from the State Street location at 115 State St. in Madison, WI.

Next stop was Minneapolis, MN (loved this piece of art from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden) where my hubby and I stayed for a few days (more posts to come!)

On the top of my "To Eats" list was a Jucy Lucy - Minnesota's cheeseburger.  There are two places that lay claim to originating the Jucy Lucy:  5-8 Club and Matt's Bar.  We could only go to one, so we decided to go to Matt's Bar (in honor of our friend Matt who was getting married that weekend).  

We got to Matt's Bar and found a crowded hole-in-the wall space.  Luckily we only had to wait a few minutes for a table.

My hubby ordered a cold Summit EPA ($3.95, pint) and we shared a fairly large basket of French Fries ($3.25, half order).

And finally we got our Jucy Lucy ($5.15) with onions.  A Jucy Lucy is a hamburger with American cheese cooked inside the patty.  According to the restaurant, the Jucy Lucy was created in 1954 when a customer ordered two patties with cheese in between them.  When he bit into the sandwich, he exclaimed,"That's one Jucy Lucy!"

When you bite into the burger, hot melted cheese spills out.  It was so addictive. 

The patty itself wasn't overcooked and the cheese is tasted even on the last bite.

Matt's Bar is located at 3500 Cedar Ave S in Minneapolis, MN.