Nothing says an August evening in Minneapolis like swarms of bikers and jam-packed craft breweries. In these few summer months when all is gilded gold and thoughts of winter seem light years away, Minnesotans pour out onto the streets in the evening hours, raving mad for a sample of the latest brews, tastiest food trucks, and local tunes. For one night, we decided to take it all in for ourselves.

Hugging the ol’ Mississippi River, Northeast Minneapolis offers a sprawling array of art galleries, artisan food shops and, of course, craft breweries. Northeast is the perfect place to have a few cold ones, an area replete with old buildings, brick roads and the attitude of the working class that built it. And what better way to get there than on a bike?

With the help of Framed Bikes, we grabbed our helmets and traveled to 5 different breweries, each of us riding 1 of 5 different bicycles. At every stop, one of the team members reviewed things about the brewery that they liked such as the beer they drank, the food options, and the environment, as well as the bike that carried them there. Needless to say, the results were delicious, fun, and a little bit bumpy. But don’t take my word for it–read for yourself what the team had to say.

Indeed Brewing Company

Tanner B.

The bike I rode for this occasion was the Framed Lifted Flat Bar U-Brake Bike. A city/commuter single-speed style came in handy for navigating through the streets of Northeast Minneapolis. With a lightweight HiTen frame, this bike came in at a mellow 25.10 pounds and was very easy to maneuver and keep in control. Framed added an alloy stem to the HiTen frame to make it a bike that you can be sure you’ll have for a long time. Easy maintenance, a great price point, and a fast ride make this bike a really fun ride that I think would work great for anyone no matter their ability level.

I had the opportunity to visit ABLE Seedhouse + Brewery taproom in NE Minneapolis this week. The atmosphere of ABLE taproom is very warm and welcoming with plenty of tables and seating. The day I visited, which was a Wednesday, Potter’s Pasties and Pies food truck was parked in front of the taproom. I couldn’t resist, so I grabbed a pastry and headed inside to grab a beer to wash down the savory treat. The bartenders were very welcoming and enthusiastic about helping me pick a beer to try. I tried the Propers Pub Ale, an English Dark Mild Ale that paired well with the pastry. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely go back again.

The Framed 29er BMX bike was my choice riding around to brewery taprooms. The 29er is basically a BMX bike with 29-inch rims and wheels. It’s very comfortable to cruise around on, yet still capable enough to do some wheelies and jump some small stair sets. I only rode about 5 miles, but I felt very comfortable cruising around on the Framed 29er. The durable steel construction is light and nimble but can take a beating. Even though this is a single speed bike, it is geared appropriately so you get up hills and still have enough speed on flat ground. The tires are slightly knobby which give the bike plenty of grip, but smooth enough to comfortably ride on concrete or asphalt. This is a great bike for kids looking for something to ride or for adults looking for something to bring them back to their childhood days.

For smooth brews, you really need to look no further than the Tiki Dream IPA from Dangerous Man Brewing Co in collaboration with Barrel Theory Beer Company. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of IPAs. All the things people love about them (bitterness, hops, and the likes) always turn me away. So when I say I tasted an IPA that was probably one of my favorite beers I’ve ever had, you’d better believe that it’s something special. The Tiki Dream IPA tastes like a Giuseppe Arcimboldo painting, bursting with bold fruit flavors and vibrant colors that just make you smile. The Tiki Dream IPA is served in an almost spherical chalice and boasts a bright orange hue that gives this beer the look of ripe citrus fruit. Right off the bat, you experience a refreshing pineapple and passion-fruit flavor followed quickly by warm mango and subtle hints of coconut before closing off its citrus ensemble with smooth malty goodness. It’s only fitting that you enjoy this brew with a smooth-riding bicycle. I found myself draining this one fast, too fast. There is so much about this beer to enjoy, and every sip seems to offer a new, swirling combination of flavors that leaves you eager for the next taste. Much like the name of the brewery itself, this beer is dangerously drinkable.

The atmosphere was everything you’d expect from a place called “Dangerous Man.” Adorned with silhouetted beard logos, casual lighting, and a skeleton dude just hanging around, this place lets you enjoy a cold one in an environment that celebrates a little testosterone. It helps that there are board games and trivia, too, to keep you around to order another brew…or two.

There really isn’t a better word to describe the way this bike rides other than smooth. If you’ve ever gone for a ride around northeast Minneapolis, then you know how rough the roads can be. Not to mention that you’ll often end up riding over old red-brick roads that, while aesthetically pleasing, can really do a number on your hindquarters. I was thrilled to find, however, that the Framed Bobtrax glided over those brick roads smoother than an ice-cold brew on a warm August evening. The wide tires are the key feature of this bike that makes it a pleasant ride. They seem to meld into the spaces between bricks, ruts, and bumps, giving the rider complete control without sacrificing speed. Contrary to my initial bias, this bike doesn’t feel heavy, bulky, or slow. It’s quick to accelerate and gentle when coming to a halt. As weird as it may sound, this bike almost makes you feel safe–like you can ride anywhere at any time. As an added bonus, this bike was pretty to look at.

612Brew

Stephan J.

Something about 612 Brew just screams dark beer. Maybe it’s the high rustic brick walls or the dim lighting between thick wooden rafters, but when I walked through the doors, I knew a dark beer was in order. The Session Dark did not disappoint. As refreshing as it is flavorful, the Session Dark offers a lighter body that doesn’t make you feel full or bloated, as can sometimes be the case with dark beers. The flavor didn’t disappoint either. It was rich in chocolate and coffee flavors, blended with something that I still can’t quite put my finger on. It wasn’t an overpowering flavor but rather one that dances for a bit on the tongue then moves on. It’s was an excellent choice given the warm summer evening, and enjoying it next to a running fountain wasn’t so bad either. Located in one of the best known buildings in NE, you can pop in a store before or even grab a coffee after. A comfortable, expansive patio makes this the summer spot to challenge friends at bags and beat the heat.

Framed Getaway BMX Bike

If BMX is your thing, then the Getaway 24” from Framed is definitely the way to go. Riding this bike around Northeast Minneapolis, I couldn’t help but notice how powerful I felt riding it. For one, the bike is held together by an alloy frame, giving it a lightweight feel that gives you a strong sense of control while riding it. Simply put, it will go where you want it. The frame sits low to the ground, giving you a potent pedal and the ability to really pop it when you want to. As far as BMX bikes go, the Framed Getaway has it all. More than that, however, is that it has a fairly gentle ride that might surprise you. Thanks to a chromoly fork, impact from road bumps and ruts is easily absorbed as you ride along. I really enjoyed riding this bike and would recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable, comfortable, and fun BMX bike.

Bauhaus Brew Labs

Michelle T.