McCann's Honey Raspberry Ale Now on Tap

Our newest seasonal may be the perfect beer for summer. Brewed with the highest quality Belgian malt and honey from local producer Stoney Brook Farms to lighten the body. Natural Raspberry flavor is added after fermentation producing a thirst quenching light ale that is the perfect cure for Minnesota's Summer heat.

Patio on the Way

Work has begun on the patio on the North side of the building. Best case senario it will be open this weekend, but the goal is by July 4th. I'm really looking foward to the addition to McCann's.
In other news I wrenched out my back yesterday moving a air conditioner into the bedroom window, so I'm walking a little like a old man today. I guess my Olympic hopes are dashed.
And...if all goes well McCann's Honey Raspberry Ale should be on Friday. Look for more details here soon.

Hop Contract

I wrapped up my three year hop contract today. It's hard to know what I'll be brewing the next three years, but I made a "guesstimate" and also allowed for some growth. I'm not sure what the hop market will bring the next three years, but we are locked in and looking good. Grab a growler of Deep Seven IPA and relax with a pint knowing it will be around for a good long time. That's what I'll be doing tonight.

Last Fridays Fun

I had a great time last Friday with the Avon arts folks. Thanks so much to J.D. for the invite. I'll have more on the blog next week about his pottery and how it relates to McCann's. The reception had two great bands:
http://www.spaghettiwesternmusic.com/
http://www.thepinesmusic.com/
These folks are knock out musicians and if they are ever in the area again be sure to check them out. They all seemed rather partial to the keg hopped Deep Seven-thanks for the nice comments guys. All in all a great event. I told Benson from The Pines his guitar work reminded me of singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Bo Ramsey only to find out the next day on thier website that he is Bo's son-I felt a little stupid about that. Ah well.

Gully Gusher

We sure have had our share of rain lately. Good for the garden, not so good for the spirits. Anyhoo...I've been trying to play keep up at the brewery lately. We are on track to have our best month barrelage wise since we opened. June/July was usually our slowest time of year at O'Hara's, so things are looking good beer wise. The restaurant business is just brutal these days. We have every damn restaurant franchise in this town and it's a battle for us locally owned establishments to keep up with them. I'm happy we have something unique(brewery) to offer folks that sets us apart from the "big" guys. We also have a new menu on the way very soon.
I'll be doing a beer sampling for the Avon Area Arts friends tomorrow night. They are having a festival this weekend:
http://www.avonartsconnection.org/
I have a "keg hopped" Deep Seven and a Summer Peach Golden Ale limited edition set to go on tap. If these go over well, you may see a special limited release at McCann's in the future.
Rumor has it I may see the first of our new tap handles crafted by pottery wiz J.D. Jorgenson.

Spring Hops

The hops I planted in early spring finally broke the surface today. The hops in the backyard are doing great and are almost full grown(as tall as my patio fence). I've ramped up my gardening all around this year and I have really been enjoying it. Good to get dirt under the finger nails.