Photo by Caitlin Abrams
St. Cloud has its first new brewery since 1939. Welcome Beaver Island Brewing to the scene! Opening beers include a German ale called Ripple and an IPA known as '39Red IPA, with a couple more seasonal ales on the horizon. The taproom is open 4-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, given that it's blocks from SCSU, expect a college vibe.
Uptown has a new taco spot, Tinto Cocina + Cantina opened this week in the former Spill The Wine spot. Rebecca Illingworth, who used to own Bin Wine Bar in St. Paul, has infused the space with bright colors, warm lighting, some giant art of flamenco dancers, while expanding the bar space. The menu isn't huge, but the pork belly tacos are good, and chicken pibil tacos come with a little spiced almond crunch, pretty decently priced at 3 for $9.
Has YC left the building? Well, soon anyway. There's a new chef for La Belle Vie, and his name is Shane Oporto. He's a McKee guy who's been sous at Libertine most recently.
If you want to get out of the cold and pretend you will ever have a garden again, maybe slip into the Home & Garden show this weekend. And sure you can learn about upcycling designer rooms (?) but there's also a kitchen stage where local notables and chefs will be cooking things and handing out samples. Jack Riebel, Sameh Wadi, Janene Holig from Hot Indian, blue ribbon hoarder Marjorie Johnson, and more. Check schedules and visit accordingly.
Winterfest is tonight and tomorrow night at the Union Depot in St. Paul. The seasonal craft beer fest from the MN Craft Brewers Guild is NOT sold out yet, so jump on your chance. If you need a ride, The Herkimer is offering Saturday tickets to the fest that include a bus ride to and from the fest, which is nice so you can get a bit in your gut before the stretch.
It's COCHON555 this weekend! There are still tickets left for the large format feast at Burch on Saturday, but the full-on rocking pig fest on Sunday is sold out. Apparently there's roughly two pounds of pork allotted per person and food service planned all through the night, so no chance of running out of pig on National Pig Day.
Next Thursday, downtowners can get a quick hit reminder of summer when a farmers' market pops up in the atrium of the Capella Tower. Mill City Farmers' Market will set up with more than 20 vendors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 5. Look for Red Table Meats, Salty Tart, Star Prairie Trout, and more!
