Stillwater's Lift Bridge, Goose Island Partner In New Brew

STILLWATER, MN — In Minnesota, everyone knows the famous game children play is called "Duck, Duck, Grey Duck" not "Duck, Duck, Goose," even the breweries.

In that spirit, Lift Bridge Brewery, Stillwater’s first craft brewery since Prohibition, announced the release of "Gray Duck," a Baltic Porter, in collaboration with Goose Island Beer Company. The partnership with Goose Island is a first-time collaboration resulting in a beer style that neither brewery had produced before.

The partnership comes on the heels of Lift Bridge Brewery announcing plans to purchase new land in Stillwater to build a larger production and distribution facility, and taproom heading into their 10th year of business. The first kegs of Gray Duck were tapped this past weekend at The Happy Gnome in St. Paul, and Cozzie’s Tavern and Grill in Stillwater.

“We are thrilled to partner with Goose Island, a very well-respected Midwest brewery, to bring the Twin Cities the Gray Duck baltic porter, a beer that all Minnesotans can take pride in calling their own,” Brad Glynn, co-founder of Lift Bridge Brewery, said in a statement. “This collaboration is an exciting way to kick off our 10-year anniversary and pay tribute to the state that we call home, similar to how Lift Bridge Brewery’s brand embraces the City of Stillwater.”

The Gray Duck baltic porter has sweet notes of toffee and caramel balanced with subtle hints of sherry, vanilla, and smoke, the brewery said. The beer has an ABV of 7.1 percent and an IBU of 29. The baltic porter is a traditional Polish style beer, often celebrated for its heritage in Chicago and best enjoyed in a cold, snowy environment like Minnesota.

Gray Duck will be available on tap in the upcoming weeks at restaurants and bars across the Twin Cities, including Red Cow in St. Paul, The Town Hall Tap in Minneapolis, and Grumpy’s in Roseville. The baltic porter will also be on tap at The Hard Rock Cafe during Mall of America’s Media Event on Tuesday, January 30.

Lift Bridge Brewery distributes in Minnesota, Eastern North Dakota and throughout most of Wisconsin.

Image via Lift Bridge Brewery