Merlins Rest Pub

Scotch Tasting and New Whiskey

Merlin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:26:07 +0000

Merlins Rest boasts Minnesota’s best selection of single-malt scotches (125+) and Irish whiskeys, and we’re adding to our collection all the time. Most recently we’ve pulled off a nice little coup and acquired a case of a beautiful golden dram: Kilbeggan Whiskey. It hails from the oldest continually-licensed distillery in the world.

Speaking of whiskey and scotch….

SINGLE-MALT TASTING TONIGHT!
Thursday, September 2
7:30 pm

The monthly Single-Malt Scotch Tasting takes place at 7:30 pm, every first Thursday of the month. $25 to participate and four or five good pours included.

As we’ve said, we don’t have just one of the best selections in the Cities, but the largest in the state! We often bring in special items from the Isles. Good fun and great whiskey. Give it a try!

For Our Friend Abe

Merlin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:55:48 +0000

Our friend Abe Fagerstrom has undergone intensive chemotherapy multiple times in his young life. Currently, he is going through another course. On 11 September 2010, a special benefit will be held for him from 2:00 – 7:00 pm at the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center in Saint Paul (near Fort Snelling).

A dessert bar, used book sale, silent auction, raffles and games will be part of this family-friendly afternoon.

We encourage you to take a moment and learn more about Abe’s benefit in this flyer, and we hope you’ll share part of that Saturday with the benefit gathering.

This Week at Merlins

Merlin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:46:14 +0000

Walking out today, I spotted a shape flitting across the walk like a wild bug. But it was just a shadow, so I looked up and low and behold it was a Monarch butterfly. They are all a-flutter now as they prepare for their fantastic migration of 2,000 – 3,000 miles. (No, they aren’t going to Ireland! But that wouldn’t be a bad idea.)

And this reminds us to remind you about a special day of celebration and music, coming September 11:
http://merlinsrest.com/2010/08/24/monarch-festival-coming-to-merlins/

Now, what’s up this week? Here goes:

TUESDAY

* Irish Hour with the devilish duo of Jim Brooks and Bill Watkins, 5:30-7:30 pm
** Open Jam – “Folks, Blues and Beyond,” 7:30 pm

WEDNESDAY

* Wednesday Pub Quiz – Bill Watkins hosts this weekday fun. A true Isles’ pub quiz! Lots of laughs and fantastic “excuse” for enjoying the mid-week. Quiz starts, 7:30 pm sharpish.

THURSDAY

* Scotch Tasting! 7:30 pm. This month, Dennis hosts.

FRIDAY

* Kilt Night with Live Irish Music (circa 8:30 pm)

SATURDAY

* Breakfast, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
** Premier League Football – 9:00 & 11:30 am
*** Music: Papa John & the Hot Club – 9:00 pm

SUNDAY

* Breakfast, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
** Premier League Footbal – 10:00 am
*** Sunday Night Pub Quiz – 7:30 pm. This week, Mark is the host.

An Unrivaled List

Merlin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:33:21 +0000

On the first Thursday of every month, Merlins hosts a tasting of premium whiskeys and scotches. (Your next opportunity will be Thursday, September 2 at 7:30 pm.) And over the years, with our tastings and travels and talk with our patrons, we’ve developed not just the Cities’ most extensive stock but Minnesota’s!

We now have more than 125 single-malt scotch whiskeys, 12 blended Irish whiskeys, and 12 single-malt Irish whiskeys. Our newest Irish whiskey is a beautiful addition too. It’s called IRISH MANOR and is produced and bottled in Ireland by Irish Manor Ltd. in Bailieborough, County Cavan. Irish Manor is similar to Tyrconnel yet much softer and smoother. Get up here and give it a taste!

WHAT ELSE ARE WE SERVING?

Let me tell you, my thirsty friends:

BEERS

Guinness
Belhaven
Bells Two Hearted EPA
Stella Artois
Finnegans
Summit EPA
Harp (soon to change to Carlsberg)
Fullers ESB
Fullers London Pride
Newcastle
Smithwicks
Boddingtons

CIDERS

Strongbow
Magners

WINE

Montevina White Zinfandel
Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay
Menage a Trois White
Woop Woop Shiraz
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec
Blackstone Merlto
Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon

SPECIAL DRINKS

Merlins Kool-aid – secret blend of childhood memories
Original Pimms Cup - made with Pimms Cup No 1
St James Delight – it’s a party for your taste buds
Mojito
Mint Julep
The Quigley – a special drink from yer publican Lee’s travels, and it’s named after a dear friend – Quigley!

Monarch Festival Coming to Merlins

Merlin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:52:19 +0000

The Second Annual Monarch Festival at the Lake Nokomis Naturescape Gardens at Lake Nokomis and 50^th Street in south Minneapolis (http://www.nokomiseast.org/association/etf/naturescape.html) celebrates the amazing 2,300-mile migration of Monarch Butterflies from Minnesota to Michoacán Mexico. The celebration will take place on 11 September 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Afterwards, the party comes to Merlins Rest, where plenty of live music will be presented.

MUSIC AT MERLINS WILL INCLUDE

* Larry Long with Billy & Ricky Peterson
* Fiddlin’ Pete and Joe Savage
* Papa John Kolstad & the Hot Club of East Lake

The music will live and lively from 8:00 pm to midnight.

LEARN MORE

We encourage you to celebrate this annual journey and the Minnesota—Mexico connection with the FREE all-day event at Lake Nikomis. It will feature food from across the Americas, music, dance, live Monarch butterfly releases, Kids 3/4K Butterfly Fun Run and 5K Run for the Monarch, plant sales, habitat awareness, arts and games activities, including Monarch Bingo, Amazing Migration, Monarch Jeopardy, and making a Monarch Mandala!

And after spending time on the lake with the festitivies, join the party at Merlins Rest.

MonarchFestival_PressReleaseFinal about the festival and music at Merlins.