Blackbird Bill's Brewery

After nearly 14 years of brewing, laughing, and sharing pints on the shores of Lake Superior, we have made the difficult decision to close the doors to our micro-brewery.

Since its inception, Sleeping Giant Brewing has always been about more than just crafting delicious, award-winning beer.

It has been about the community we live, work, and play in... creating a welcoming space where everyone felt included and connected.

It has truly been an incredible journey.

We are deeply grateful to our amazing staff, our loyal customers, and the craft beer community across Northwestern Ontario and beyond.

Thank you for every pint shared, every smile, and every memory created along the way.

We’ll remain open through the end of March for some final celebrations, walks down memory lane, beer tours, and gift certificate redemptions... and of course, a few more delicious pours and cheers together!

If you currently have an event booked with us, we will be reaching out to you very soon.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of the Sleeping Giant story.

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I never thought we'd see it here, but we will on FRIDAY!

64 years old.

..next brew:

"Relevant"

Dank, somehow, I've been using it sort-of-properly... It is described as vague in BJCP.

BJCP term "dank"

In the context of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), the term "dank" is a descriptor used primarily for hoppy, American-style beers—especially American IPAs, Double IPAs, and some Specialty IPAs (like Black or Red IPAs)—to describe a specific, intense aroma and flavor profile. It is often used interchangeably with or to complement terms like "resinous," "herbal," "earthy," or "catty".

Here is a breakdown of "dank" in a BJCP context:
Aroma & Flavor Profile: Dank represents a pungent, heavy, and intense resinous aroma. It is often compared to the smell of cannabis (specifically the aroma of unburned, fresh cannabis buds) or intensely aromatic pine.
Contextual Usage: It is considered a positive attribute in American IPAs, where "dank pine" or "resinous" notes are characteristic of classic American hops like Mosaic, Simcoe, Chinook, Centennial, and Columbus.
Where to Find It: While mostly associated with West Coast IPAs (due to the use of heavy, resinous hops), it can also be found in American Stouts and other hop-forward styles.
Synonyms/Related Terms: Resinous, sticky, piney, herbal, earthy, sulfur-adjacent, pungent.

Common Pitfalls in Evaluation:
Although it is a popular term in the craft beer industry, some judges may consider "dank" (along with "funky" or "ye**ty") a slightly overused or *vague* term, preferring more specific descriptions like "resinous" or "catty" when possible. However, in the context of identifying intense, New World hop character, it is widely understood and accepted as a descriptor for high-quality hop aroma.

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Genuine Bock is bock on tap 🍺🐏

As a nod to the brewery’s roots, we’ve brewed a limited batch in our Pilot Brewery of Leinenkugel’s Genuine Bock! Originally brewed in 1888 to celebrate the end of a cold winter and the arrival of spring. ☀️

Leinie’s Bock-style brews later returned to shelves throughout the years, and now we revived that historic family recipe to bring its classic character back only here in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin ❤️ See you for a flight or pint this weekend 🍻

Helles. :D

very good beer

Ten-Head

Knowlton House Distillery | Crafting Spirits from Milk Sugar in the Dairy State At Knowlton House Distillery, we're not just crafting spirits; we're preserving a rich tradition deeply rooted in the heart of the Dairy State. Our Story: Located in the picturesque landscapes of Wisconsin, Knowlton House Distillery was born out of our love for the land, its heritage, and the desire...

...seen in the wild - Associated Bank lobby