Eapen C.
Google
We have a long history with Boom Island Brewing, dating back to its early days in NE Minneapolis near Boom Island Park. The two founders are Kevin and Qiuxia Welch two classical musicians who bootstrapped their vision through family and friends investors.
Of all things, they decided to make Belgian beers which are made in many complex styles with wild yeasts, high alcohol content, and a wide palate of flavors. Trappist monks make ales as work to go along with their prayers, and to support their abbeys.
A few years ago, the owners moved into a large space in a Minnetonka office park, which was an easy ride for us, as opposed to trundling into NE Minnie. It is a light, airy, space with lots of seating configurations. The woods are blonde, keeping the airy feel.
The main room is very kid friendly. We were happy to see families with young toddlers accompanying their parents into a place where they can crawl around freely and explore. Today, dogs are allowed only on the outdoor patio. It's not the owners fault, but the patio abuts to the parking lot and its okay. Parking in the complex's lot is tight, and when the food truck comes in, even more so.
Overlook all of this and stop by as we did in early afternoon. The beers here are very consistent: we have never had a beer that we didn't like. We just preferred some styles over others. There are lots of watery, flat beers being offered in some of the suburban breweries, but not here.
Belgians as a percent of the offerings have fallen, as a business has to accommodate what the customers like, such as IPAs for example. If you are bold, try a Doppel or Tripel Belgian, and you'll be transported back to Brussels or Antwerp.
My wife and I had a flight of four. I chose a "Light the Lamp" Hazy IPA, with 7% ABV. My second choice was an Octoberfest Bavarian style Marzen Festbier at 6.8% ABV. My wife chose a Dusseldorf Alt beer called "Copperhead," at 5.5% ABV. Her second choice was a "Dark Horse" porter at 5.2% ABV.
Number 1 in our hit parade was the Octoberfest. Most breweries carry one seasonally, but this is the best expression we've ever had. It is a very drinkable, sociable beer. The German Purity Council has strict regulations about their beers, and nowhere more so than for Octoberfest. No ingredients beyond water, yeast, hops and malt are allowed. Come out before October's end and try this. We took a can home for Sunday dinner with the family.
Number 2 was the Dusseldorf Copperhead. I was not as complex as the Octoberfest, but we liked the hoppiness with a hint of orange.
Number 3 was the Hazy IPA. My wife doesn't care for IPAs as a rule, for their usually high ABVs and high IBUs. This was not overwhelmingly hoppy, so I suspect lower IBUs. Grapefruit was easily identifiable, with a sweet contrast of orange.
Number 4 was the Dark Horse porter redolent of coffee and chocolate. It was very smooth on the palate.
We liked all the beers. Consistency is a very nice trait to offer. Service at the bar was patient and informative, even with a rush. The food truck didn't show, but we had the Martino's frozen pizza from Minneapolis, and it went nicely with the beers.
