MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Nearly one year in the making, the people of Modist Brewing and Parlour Bar are proud to announce the arrival of Boozehound, a one-of-a-kind fusion of beer and spirits. Boozehound is made from a bourbon mash that’s brewed and fermented as a beer, aged in bourbon barrels, then served as an Old Fashioned. Boozehound will release on tap at Modist’s North Loop Minneapolis taproom on Wednesday, May 22nd and at Parlour Bar Minneapolis and St Paul on Thursday, May 23rd.
The project began when Parlour Bar, well known for having one of the best Old Fashioneds around, contacted Modist, well known for pushing the boundaries of what beer can be, to see if they could find a good use for some hand selected 9-12-year-old level 4 char Knob Creek barrels. Once he stopped drooling, Modist Brewing’s Co-Founder/Head Brewer Keigan Knee pitched the idea of launching a new type of alcohol called brewed spirits* he had been brainstorming for a long time. “I’ve been sitting on this idea for a while, and the barrels that Jesse [Held, Bar Consultant of Jester Concepts] had picked out were perfect. Based on the barrels and the pedigree of their cocktails, we decided a bourbon brewed spirit presented as an Old Fashioned was the way to go,” said Keigan.
Because of Modist’s mash filter powered brewing system, they were able to replicate an exact bourbon grain bill recipe that they brewed and fermented as a beer. Using an ale yeast strain with high alcohol tolerance, the beer reached 20% alcohol by volume (40 proof) before being transferred to the barrels for aging. Also, put in the barrels was a special type of Mexican raw sugar called Piloncillo, which is a staple ingredient of Parlour’s Old Fashioneds.
After aging in barrels for nearly a year, Boozehound was transferred to kegs for its official debut this May. The finished product will be served from the tap with a splash of bitters and garnished with orange peel. It will be available on draft for a limited time at Modist, Parlour Minneapolis, Borough, and Parlour St Paul.
About Brewed Spirits
Brewed Spirits is Modist’s coined name for a style of beer that is made to replicate a traditional spirit. By using an identical grain mash bill or ingredient base of a typical style of liquor, the goal of a brewed spirit is to get as close as possible to creating a “spirit,” while working within the legal limitations of beer. After successfully creating a bourbon base for what became Boozehound, Modist now plans to launch a series of other brewed spirits, including several different types of whiskey (including 100% rye), tequila, and rum.
About Parlour Bar, Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Parlour, located directly below Borough in Minneapolis, set a new standard for bartending and cocktail creation in the Twin Cities. The large bar features tufted banquettes and intimate tables. The craft cocktail menu has its foundation in the classics, using freshly squeezed juice, house-made syrups, elixirs, and rare artisanal spirits. A brief food menu featuring fare from Borough includes elevated bar snacks, including a legendary burger.
In April 2018, Parlour St. Paul joined the West 7th Neighborhood. Taking all of the things that made Parlour Minneapolis what it is, the burger, old fashioned and atmosphere, the new space is larger along with the menu. A decadent menu is available at brunch and dinner, complete with all-day eggs, sandwiches, and a selection of shareable plates. 
About Modist Brewing Co.
Modist opened in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis in April of 2016 aiming to modify beer and how it is perceived by defying rules and expectations. Utilizing a mash filter powered brewing system, they push past traditional brewing by embracing creativity and unconstrained experimentation. Modist showcases their innovative spirit via the creation of a series of never seen before beers, including their flagship brews: Dreamyard (hazy ipa made from entirely oats and wheat sans barley), False Pattern (hazy pale ale brewed from oats), and First Call (an oat based coffee lager that’s blonde in color).
In their first year of business, Modist was named both the Best New Brewery in Minnesota by Growler Magazine as well as one of “The 50 Best Breweries in the United States” by BeerAdvocate. In the time since opening, they’ve received continuous accolades including recently being named Minnesota’s Most Innovative Brewery, as well as a multitude of individual beer awards.
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