MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (February 28, 2018) - An old Minneapolis bus station. An abrasives factory in the ‘burbs. From these humble beginnings sprang the last great rock club in the country and one of America’s leading craft breweries. A collaboration just makes sense.

First Avenue and Surly Brewing are proud to present +1, an easy-drinking, classic-style golden ale ideal for the Mainroom, the Entry, the Turf, or anywhere the music hits you.

“It’s an honor to be working with First Avenue on +1,” said Omar Ansari, owner, Surly Brewing Co. “It’s a Minnesota institution, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

“We wanted to make the kind of beer we like to drink at a Mainroom or Entry show,” said Ben Smith, head brewer, Surly Brewing Co. “We went over a few styles with them, and this one emerged as the clear winner.”


The key to +1 is balance and simplicity. Subtle hop notes, low bitterness, and a refreshing malt profile carry this light-bodied, low-ABV beer. And not to take away from the beer, but the can is an absolute beauty. We don’t have proof that hoisting a +1 can will make the band come out for a second encore, but there’s no way it can hurt.


“Working with our friends at Surly was a no-brainer; as two locally-owned and independently-run Minnesotan companies, we have a lot in common,” said Dayna Frank, owner, First Avenue. “We are so excited to have collaborated on +1, we hope you'll enjoy it at a show soon.”

We’re celebrating +1’s debut with release parties at multiple First Avenue properties, the details of which you can find below:
Thursday, March 22: Sick of It All with Holding On @ 7th St Entry
Friday, March 23: The Black Angels with Black Lips @ First Avenue Mainroom
Saturday, March 24: The Last Revel with Chicago Farmer @ Turf Club
+1 will be offered exclusively at First Avenue properties and The Depot from March 22 through April 1. 16-oz. 4-packs will be hitting store shelves the week of April 2. Look for details on how you and your +1 (human, not beer can) can win a Golden Ticket to a show of your choice at First Avenue or Surly’s Festival Field over the next year.

+1 Golden Ale will be going to all Surly markets. Raise it.


About Surly Brewing Co.
You do enough settling. That’s part of life. You owe it to yourself to drink a beer that doesn’t settle. Not settling drives Surly. It’s what drove us to convert a Brooklyn Center abrasives factory to a brewery in 2004. It’s what drove Surly’s owner, Omar Ansari, to go bar to bar, asking them to carry our beer. It’s what drove us to earn medals from the Great American Beer Festival and Best Brewery in America honors. It’s what drove us to change a Minnesota law that had been on the books since Prohibition. It’s what drove us to build a state-of-the-art destination brewery in the heart of the Twin Cities in 2014 featuring a massive beer hall, outdoor beer garden and event center. And it’s what drives us today. Surly’s not for everyone. It’s for you. Don’t settle. Get Surly.

About First Avenue

First Avenue and 7th St Entry is a live-music-lover's dream. With multiple performance spaces in one building, the historic venue offers something for everyone.

First Avenue encompasses more than just four walls, a soundboard, and a stage: it is the epicenter of live music and entertainment in Minneapolis. Having celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2015, First Avenue is one of the longest-running, independently-owned and operated clubs in the United States, as well as one of the most renowned. First Avenue is a music club committed to fostering excellence in the arts, music, and entertainment. It is--quite simply--what a music club should be.