Life of the Party

What makes a Sour a sour? Sour yeast strains. Sour and wild are terms that are used interchangeably in the industry but there is a distinction. Sour beers happen when acidifying bacteria (Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus) in conjunction with wild or commercial yeast is introduced... Read More

I think that it is safe to say we have made it to spring. It’s May, and the weather has finally turned warm, and now it is time for Minnesota to shine. I can’t think of any better combination in spring than beer and... Read More

There is a seemingly endless roster of cocktail bars in the area, each offering a distinctive atmosphere or signature drink. With all the jargon and frills associated with cocktail bars, it can feel intimidating to try your hand at crafting mixed drinks at home... Read More

We spend a lot of time searching for new and interesting cheeses that can’t be found at any other cheese counter in the area. Some are innovative approaches to cheese making, some are old world cheeses rarely imported to America, and some are a... Read More

April Snow Showers bring what, exactly? When people think Minnesota, seasonal changes often come to mind. Some clever person correctly identified our four seasons as: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, Road Construction. So here we are smack in the middle of Still Winter with... Read More

Spring is a fickle time of year in our great state. We survived both winter and the Super Bowl, and now bets are on as to the rate of rising temps. Optimists among us have already broken out flip-flops and loaded bags filled with... Read More

2018 hasn’t been around for very long, but it has already seemed like a very busy year! The spotlight on the Twin Cities has gone dark, the holiday season has ended, and the doldrums of winter are upon us. Now that we all have... Read More

The last time Minnesota hosted the Super Bowl—January 26, 1992—the Twins had only months earlier won the World Series, “Wayne’s World” was throwing a party in theaters, Lunchables and locally owned Totino’s Pizza Rolls were popular snacks, and there was the infamous Zima clear... Read More

If you are like most people, you will be drinking bubbly. In a sea of sparkling, the song’s question should actually be asking: What bottle are you popping for New Year’s…? Here’s a quick primer for those of you who may find your eyes... Read More

It’s such a great time of year, especially when you have a handle on the season. Entertaining, gifting, gathering: It can seem overwhelming at times, so I like to break things down into smaller packages of time. Working at Surdyk’s, I am surrounded by wonderful, delicious things to eat and drink, so I typically do my Christmas shopping right here... Read More