Arborfest
Another beer fest... MNBeer.com is down with that... we like beer, we like charity, hell, we like trees... we'll even hug some if craft beer is involved! Tickets are now on sale for a new Springtime beer festival: Arborfest!
Arborfest is a Regional Craft beer tasting featuring all the beers you know and love together under one roof for your enjoyment. Spend time with fellow beer lovers and chat with the brewers about the beers they craft.
Arborfest is Thursday, May 4th from 5:30-9pm.
Purchase tickets online at: www.ticketworks.com
Or purchase in person at Barley John's Brew Pub, Great Waters Brewing Co., and Town Hall Brewery.
Where: Arborfest will be held on the campus of Macalaster College in the Kagin Commons building. Kagin commons is located between Snelling and Grand right on the Macalaster campus.
Ticket Info: Tickets are $40 and include a commemorative tasting glass, a substantial food spread, music throughout the event, and of course 35+ different beers from 10+ different breweries and brew pubs.
Participating Breweries: Barley Johns Brew Pub, Bell's, Fitgers Brewhouse, Finnegan's, Great Waters Brewing Co., Rock Bottom Brewery, Rush River Brewing, Summit Brewing Co., Surly Brewering Co., Town Hall Brewery
Arborfest is a fundraiser to help the Family Tree Clinic of St. Paul with its yearly operating costs. $30 of the ticket price is tax deductable as a charitable donation.
For more information visit the official website:
www.familytreeclinic.org/arborfest/
Brewing for a Cause, TONIGHT at Whiskey Junction
Brewing for a Cause: 10 dollars, 10 breweries, 3 hours. Join “Brewing for a Cause” on March 30th from 7-10pm @ Whiskey Junction as we help raise funds for The Bridge. Who knew that drinking great beer could help contribute funding to so many people in your community! The Bridge provides homeless and runaway youth in the Twin Cities area with shelter, safety, and the hope for a better future. We're open 24 hours a day for any youth in crisis, offering a free and safe place to stay, with experienced counselors to address whatever situation landed them on the street. Nearly one thousand young people turn to us for help each year, as they cope with family conflicts, school problems, homelessness, poverty, sexual exploitation, violence, neglect, and abandonment. All our services are free, confidential, and available 24-hours a day. Grain Belt, Schell, Summit, Gluek, Kronenburg, Bell's, Breckenridge, Finnegan's, Boulevard and Newcastle. Flyer: here.
Beer Politics in Minnesota
Note: This was written by David Berg, President of Minnesota Craft Brewer's Guild. Greetings All- Ryan at mnbeer.com asked me to comment on some things that have been floating around the internet, and I guess it's easier to tell everyone at the same time. The MCBG has been working on a bill that would allow brewpubs to sell beer to distributors. What this would mean to the consumers is the opportunity to have beer from, let's say Fitger's, at bars in Minneapolis. What a novel idea, huh, market access? I credit the folks at Fitger's for all their hard work on the issue (I, in fact, had very little to do with it). The bill was sponsored by Sen Solon in Duluth. The bill had support from brewpubs, the wholesalers, and Summit was very helpful in arranging meetings between Fitgers/Wholesalers Association. The Dept of Public safety also had no issues with it. The bill passed through a subcommittee with no opposition. It was slated to be added to the liquor omnibus bill, which in my experience, is almost sure to get a green light. Unfortunately, on Monday, opposition occurred from the place we least expected it. Two production breweries in Minnesota (neither of which are members of the Guild) got involved and got Sen Solon to change her mind on the bill she had written. I am not sure the rationale behind the opposition, just as I was confused at the time when the same people opposed the original growler law. I have been told, but this may be only conjecture, that it was desired to add to the bill language that would allow breweries to sell pints of beer at their premises. I immediately had flashbacks of 2001, when we tried to get such a bill passed--we got slaughtered. And I'm not being melodramatic--it was the kind of mind-numbing drubbing that makes you go underground for a couple of years wondering how you could have been so stupid in the first place. Our opposition at the time included: the Beer Wholesalers, Minnesota Licensed Beverage Assoc, MADD, numerous bars, liquor stores, the Dept of Public Safety, and the Teamsters! I didn't want to relive that battle. It's not that I don't think it's a grand idea, I just don't think it currently has a chance of winning. On top of that, our production brewery members don't want it for very valid reasons. So where does this leave us? Well, there's always next year. That's where all of you come in. We'll be needing you to contact your Sen/Reps to say you support giving market access to the brewpubs. I'm quite confident we can get this bill passed, if we can focus on this issue and not include issues that will spell doom for the bill. In closing, I'd just like to ask you that you not act irrationally about the events that have taken place. I've heard people say the word "boycott" a little too quickly, and I don't think that will benefit anyone. Breweries in Minnesota, whether they are members of the Guild or not, have worked incredibly hard against some rather archaic laws to produce good beer and get it into your hands, and they all deserve your full support. I've seen too many breweries close since I've been back in Minnesota--I don't need to see any more. Sorry for the long post, and as always, thanks for supporting Minnesota Breweries. David Berg Head Brewer, Bandana Brewery President, Minnesota Craft Brewer's Guild http://www.mncraftbrew.org
Town Hall Beer Release Tonight
Yup, another tasty beer from Minneapolis Town Hall is being released tonight, and this one is tasty, Twisted Reality, a barleywine. I tried this one at Winterfest, and boy, oh, boy did I enjoy it. This one's a big beer, so you'll get a 10 oz. pour for $2 from 5-6pm. This coming Wednesday 3/29......Twisted Reality! Remember thinking that Foolish was an odd name for a beer???.....until you drank it. Wait until you have some of this.
5-6pm 10oz. pours $2
Summit Scandia Release Party
If you'd like to be one of the first to get a taste of Summit Brewing's new limited release, Summit Scandia, head on over to their website and sign up to win a guest pass to the release party. Register for a chance for you and a guest to be among the first to enjoy Summit's new limited release Scandia. Contest winners will join us for the official release party at the Summit brewery on Thursday, April 2oth, 2006, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
If you are a contest winner, you will be notified by email on April 13th, 2006 and receive a Scandia release party e-ticket.
Herkimer Update
I hadn't been to The Herkimer for a while, so I decided to stop in for a few brews this afternoon. I figured it'd be good to update the tap list (their website is a little behind right now) and, uh, get my drink on. I'm not the hugest lager fan in the world, but I tasted (and enjoyed) their Marzen, Vienna lager, Maibock & Kolsch. And though I don't drink a lot of Kolsch, this particular beer was a favorite. The food was good, too. Anyway, take a look at the tap list at right for a few updates from The Herkimer.
Summit's 20 Year Anniversary... Summit ESB... Big Brew...
In late September of 1986, we sold our first keg to Johnny's Bar in Saint Paul, directly across the street from our first location on University Avenue. We all find it remarkable that twenty years have past since that first exciting day so we are planning a party to celebrate. On September 30th, 2006 , the brewery will move its headquarters to Harriet Island to celebrate our 20th with a day of music and Summit Beer. We call it...
Summit's Big Brew
We are busy making plans for the day and finding home-grown talent to accompany our home-grown beer. We expect a lot of surprises over the next several weeks as we get commitments from the bands we have contacted. Stay tuned as we will first announce the bands on our web site.
Other things that are happening during 2006 to celebrate our anniversary include the introduction of Summit Extra Special Bitter. Available July 1, Summit ESB will be brewed in the UK style with plenty of interesting hops and a beautiful malt finish. Look for this beer in a special 20th Anniversary twelve pack.
Finally, look for special neck straps on Summit beer bottles commemorating our 20th year.
Another New Brew at Minneapolis Town Hall
The new brew at Minneapolis Town Hall is available today and seasonally titled "Slamma Jamma Juice," a "Classic Dortmunder style 'Export' Lager. Light in color, clean crisp German malt profile. Brewed with 'March Madness' in mind." I didn't receive an e-mail about this one, but I wouldn't doubt that they'll be serving pints for a buck from 5-6pm tonight. If not, suck it up and pay full price. :)
Summit Scandia Ale
On April 20th, Summit will be releasing a new limited release, Summit Scandia Ale. From their website: Summit Scandia Ale is a Scandinavian interpretation of a famous Belgian ale with spice notes of cardamom, coriander and orange. Scandia Ale pours cloudy with a white head and has a refreshing and pleasing flavor profile. Hrrm. 5.0% ABV, 20 IBUs, Pale, Wheat, European Malt (?), Flaked Oats, Vanguard hops. Sounds like a wit perhaps? Oh, and... Keep an eye out for your chance to win a trip for two to the unveiling of Summit Scandia Ale, the newest in the brewery’s Limited Release portfolio. Summit plans to host a release party in honor of their latest brew on April 20th. SKÅL!
Our 30 seconds of local fame...
Yessir, MNBeer.com was chosen as the Minnesota Blog of the Day over at City Page's Blotter on Monday. Thanks!
Comments Are On...
Yessir, now you can comment on posts at MNBeer.com. All we ask is that you sign your posts and be respectful to one another. Enjoy!
Fire Chief Ale Tapping at Rock Bottom, 3/23
Rock Bottom Brewery will be tapping their 10-Year Anniversary brew, Fire Chief Ale. Join Brewmaster Bryon Tonnis and The Minneapolis Fire department for the 10-Year Anniversary Tapping for Fire Chief Ale. Meet and greet Minneapolis Firefighters. Antique Fire Truck on Site for photos. Twenty Five cents from every Fire Chief Ale sold during the promotion will
benefit The Hennepin County Burn Center.
City Pages "Best of the Twin Cities"
City Pages is now accepting ballots for Best of the Twin Cities 2006. Vote however you like, however I'll make a strong suggestion that you add "Best Beer" and "Best Brewpub" to their last category "Best Thing We Left Out." Go ahead and include your favorite local beer and brewpub. Let's get out there and support our local brews! Pass it on...
Barley John's 6th Anniversary TODAY!
This Thursday (3/16/06) will be our 6th Anniversary! We will be releasing our Anniversary ale Thursday - an Irish Strong Ale. Come out to the Pub and help us celebrate 6 wonderful years of Craft brewing and craft dining with $3 pints of Anniversary Ale all day long. We will also feature happy hour prices on our standard Pub taps all day long as a thank you for your help in emptying our tanks and keeping us brewing these past years (sorry IPA drinkers...we just ran out and the new batch is dry hopping - but there are plenty of other beers on tap!). Our campfire will be roaring to accomodate the brave winter outdoor drinkers.
Beer Release
Anniversary Ale (8% abv): Based on a Smithwick's Irish Barleywine recipe, we have adopted the Irish Strong Ale as our Anniversary Ale ever since we opened the day before St. Patrick's Day 6 years ago. Huge amounts of malt mixed with a light addition of rolled oats give this beer a pleasant body complimented by a light regiment of British hops.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Barley Johns
Our St. Patrick's Day dinner will include a Corned Beef and Cabbage boil, Corned Beef Hash, Irish Soda Bread, Periwinkles (Irish Sea Snails) and plenty of other Irish themed accompaniments. The beer will not be wearing "green", but the staff just might be - and you should too! Call for Reservations: 651-636-4670 -- Note: Due to the nature of St. Patricks Day and Leprechaun Magic (eating, drinking and friends) we will do our best to accomodate reservation times.
Gitchee Gummee Brewfest, Superior, WI
Ugh. Can't make it to Gitchee Gummee Brewfest this year, but next year I'll be there... SATURDAY APRIL 1ST, 2006 4:00 - 8:00 PM Superior's Wessman Arena 28th and Catlin Avenue, UWS Campus (map) $25 per person. Must be 21. Limited to 1,300 tickets! Each year the Superior Jaycees select a local group or need to receive a portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales. The 2006 recipient of this donation is the Superior Youth Baseball Organization (SYBO). The breweries: Angry Minnow Brewpub, August Schell Brewing Co, Bell's Brewery Inc., Bodega Brewpub Inc., Capital Brewery, Fitger's Brewhouse, Glueck Brewing Co., Granite City Brewery, J.T. Whitney's Pub & Brewery, Jasper Ridge Brewery, Lake Superior Brewing Co., Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Mantorville Brewing Co. LLC, Minneapolis Town Hall, New Glarus Brewing Co., Northwoods Brewpub, Pioneer Brewing Company, Rock Bottom Brewery, Sand Creek Brewing Co., Sleeman Brewery, South Shore Brewery, St. Croix Beer Co., Summit Brewing Co., Surly Brewing Co., Viking Brewing Co. and White Winter Winery.
Vote for Minnesota Beers
This was in my inbox this afternoon and I feel obligated to pass it on to all of you: VOTE FOR AMERICA'S BEST BEERS!!! MOVE FAST!!! VOTE BY MARCH 24!!! Zymurgy magazine is doing a poll for Best Beers in America! Let's show them that MINNESOTA has some fine beers! Rank and select 20 from the list below, and send to: jill@brewersassociation.org or to Jill Redding, Brewers Association, PO Box 1679, Boulder, CO 80306-1679. Here's the list: MINNESOTA COMMERCIAL BEER CHOICES __Backwater Brewing __Bandana St. Peter Red __Bandana Hop Harvest Pale Ale __Bandana Eagle Lake Pale Ale __Bandana Weizenbock __Bandana Mankato Gold __Bandana Rapidan Brown __Bandana Preston Wee Heavy __Bandana Doppelbock __Barley John's Winter Ale __Barley John's Altbier __Barley John's Little Barley Bitter __Barley John's Stockyard IPA __Barley John's Wild Brunette __Barley John's Old Eight Porter __Barley John's Dark Knight __Brauhaus __Finnegan's Irish Amber __Fitger's Brewhouse Lighthouse Golden __Fitger's Brewhouse Witchtree ESB __Fitger's Brewhouse Big Boat Oatmeal Stout __Fitger's Brewhouse El Nino Double-Hopped IPA __Fitger's Brewhouse Starfire Pale Ale __Fitger's Brewhouse Edmund Imperial Stout __Fitger's Brewhouse 1100 Wheatwine __Fitger's Brewhouse Ole Redbeard Barleywine __Fitger's Brewhouse El Diablo Belgian Golden __Fitger's Brewhouse Jodocus Weizenbock __Fitger's Brewhouse Gandvik Maple Porter __Fitger's Brewhouse Dr Spock Eisbock __Gluek's __Granite City Broadaxe Stout __Granite City Duke of Wellington __Granite City Brother Benedict's Maibock __Granite City Northern Light Lager __Great Waters House Ale __Great Waters Winter Carnival Ale __Great Waters Pot Hole Porter __Great Waters Slapshot IPA __Great Waters Black Watch Oak Stout __Green Mill __Herkimer Handy's Lager __Herkimer Daily Pils __Herkimer Oktoberfest __Herkimer Red Flyer Marzen __Herkimer Tooler's Weiss __Herkimer High Point Dunkel __Lake Superior Special Ale __Lake Superior Kayak Kolsch __Lake Superior Oatmeal Stout __Lake Superior Mesabi Red __Lake Superior Split Rock Bock __Lake Superior Windward Wheat __Lake Superior St. Louis Bay IPA __Lake Superior Old Man Winter Warmer __Lake Superior 7 Bridges Brown __Lake Superior Oktoberfest __Mantorville Stagecoach Ale __Mantorville Smoked Porter __O'Gara's ESB __O'Gara's Sligo Red __O'Gara's Cork Brown Ale __O'Gara's Light Amber Ale __O'Gara's Sassy Sandy Belgian Wheat __O'Gara's Premium Lite __O'Hara's Quarry Rock Red __O'Hara's Golden Honey Wheat __O'Hara's Pantown Pale Ale __O'Hara's Sid's Irish Stout __Rock Bottom North Star Premium Lager __Rock Bottom Itasca Extra Pale Ale __Rock Bottom Erik the Red __Rock Bottom Bighorn Nut Brown Ale __Rock Bottom Stillwater Stout __Schell's Firebrick __Schell's Pilsner __Schell's Pale Ale __Schell's Caramel Bock __Schell's Doppel Bock __Schell's Maifest __Schell's Hefeweizen __Schell's Zommerfest __Schell's Octoberfest __Schell's Snowstorm __Schell's Schmalz's Alt __Schell's Original __Schell's Light __Schell's Dark __Summit Extra Pale Ale __Summit Great Northern Porter __Summit Amber __Summit India Pale Ale __Summit Grand Pilsner __Summit Winter Ale __Summit Maibock __Summit Hefeweizen __Surly Bender __Surly Furious __Town Hall Bright Spot Golden Ale __Town Hall West Bank Pub Ale __Town Hall Masala Mama India Pale Ale __Town Hall Black H2O Oatmeal Stout __Town Hall Hope & King Scotch Ale __Union Station
Town Hall Beer Release 3/15
Minneapolis Town Hall is releaseing yet another brew on Wednesday, this time it's Jeff's Roscommon Irish Red. Head on down to Town Hall on 3/15 from 5-6 pm for pints of red for $1.
Sunday Night Suppers at Barley John's
I'd meant to mention this before Sunday, but sometimes the weekend just gets ahead of me. Anyway though we typically focus upon the beer, Barley John's has really good food, too, and they're starting a new promotion called "Sunday Night Suppers." Sounds tasty. Details below: This Sunday (3/12/06) will be our first Sunday Night Supper between 4:00pm and 8:00 pm. Sunday Night Suppers will incorporate classic homestyle food in a relaxed preset menu format. Supper will include salad, entree and dessert. Such things as Pork roast and cranberry gravy, hot turkey sandwich (real off the bone stuff), Waldorf salad, smashed maple yams, etc. Each Sunday a little different than the last, but always quality and value driven. The regular menu will not be available, but all of our taps will be! A reminder that we are not able to fill growlers on Sundays. Call for details: 651-636-4670 FYI, this is just an occasional deal - they won't be doing this every Sunday. In fact, normally they're closed on Sundays. Watch their mailing list or give them a call for details.
Bell's Beer Events
They may not be from Minnesota, but they are from an "M" state in the midwest, AND they make good beer so here are a few Bell's events that are coming up in Minnesota. Wednesday, March 15th at 7pm, The Riverview Wine Bar in Minneapolis. There will be a tasting ofthe Bell's wheat series with Jason Gillum from the brewery. Thursday, March 16th at 7pm, The Bulldog in Minneapolis. Bell's Dopplebock release party. Tuesday, March 28th at 7pm, Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. Bell's Oberon release party.
Hops & Habanero
 My younger sister rules. If you don't hear back from me, it's because I've overdosed on hops and hot peppers. Thanks Stacey.
Town Hall Release... Yesterday
Somebody at MNBeer.com is slacking this week... anyway, Minneapolis Town Hall released a hefeweizen yesterday and unless people are extremely thirsty, there should be some left for you to go and enjoy. Next week they're releasing an Irish Red (as opposed to an "Irish" green beer that you may find at other bars)... March 15th, 5-6pm $1.00 pints... Say no to green beer. The following week, TH will be releasing a Dortmunder Lager called "Slamma-Jamma Juice."
Fitger's Update
Hey brew lovers, Dave here from the Brewhouse with some news. We continue our stout-a-thon at the Brewhouse with the release of Plymouth Rock Stout. 6.3% We released this beer on cask last week to good response so Monday we will release the CO2 version. An English style robust stout. Less bitter black malt and more crystal malt and a medium bodied middle and an oak laden finish. We are also giving a nod to the Belgians. Currently we are pouring Amsterdam Ale, Blue Label Grand Reserve, and Hair O' the Monk Triple. We will release El Diablo Strong Golden early next week. El Diablo is a light beer with a secret. It's 10% alc. Smooth and drinkable but look out. 10 oz pours only, for safety. We will make growlers available of this beer. On Sunday 2/26 we will release Castle Greyskull Pale Ale 6.1% An English style pale this is a companion beer to Castle Danger. Very English in flavor with a crisp dry flavor and a woody finish. Sunday 2/26 also brings the pre-release cask of Gandvik Maple Porter 7.9% A Baltic style strong porter. Dry and roasty/chocolaty with an aroma and flavor of local maple syrup. (Lutsen Maplery) This beer will not see the light of day for a few months. Try the younger cask version this week. It has come to our attention that you would like more Big Boat Stout growlers made available to the public. In response we will ramp up the Big Boat brews and go from 25% of the time growler availability to 75% of the time. We hope this helps. check www.brewhouse.net as always for the latest. Thanks for your awesome support. Cheers The Brewhouse Gang
Homebrewing Class at the Science Museum of Minnesota
This is cool. Minnesota Home Brewer's Association President John Longballa will be teaching a beginning homebrewing class at the Science Museum of Minnesota on Thursday, March 16th, from 6-9pm. I am teaching a beginning brewing class at the Science Museum of Minnesota on Thursday, March 16th from 6:30-9:00. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them go to
http://www.smm.org/educationprograms/adult/catalog.php
very soon. We need a few more people to register by Tuesday in order to make the class viable.
Registration may seem steep, but the $110 includes an equipment starter kit and brewing text, while the $60 includes the brewing text. The SMM also needs to cover their overhead. I am not being paid for this; this partially fulfills our obligations to the SMM for the grant project that we participated in.
The class will include a discussion and tasting of a few beer ingredients and styles while we brew a batch of extract beer.
If you know of someone who is interested, please have them contact me if they have other questions.
News from Cellars, Minnetonka
Interesting news from Cellars in Minnetonka... they're under new ownership. Hopefully the transition will be a smooth one and Cellars will continue to provide the same great service and variety of beers. Hello, fellow beer lovers, after months of rumors and plenty of speculation, it has finally become official: The Minnetonka Cellars will be under new ownership as of Monday, March 6th. Saini, the new owner, has been working part-time with us for the past couple of months, and has seen first-hand what it is that makes this store tick. He has also assured us that the layout will be basically the same, and that he will do everything in his power to continue the tradition of excellent brews to follow in the footsteps of Jason and Ryan before him. It has been a blast for both Jason and myself to spend the past year talking beer with you fine gentlemen (and gentlewomen), and we hope to see you all again before we’re sent on our merry way. As far as what will be happening with the two of us (or our part-time staff, for that matter), we still have no idea. Jason will likely stick around for a week or two to make sure Saini gets off to a good start, and to make the transition period goes as smoothly as possible. If you haven’t yet crossed paths with the new owner, I suggest you do so next time you’re in the neighborhood. He and his wife are both very nice people, and they understand that the market for rare and specialty beer are invaluable to this store. For the past couple of months, Jason has helped him in every way possible with beer and liquor ordering, so you members of the esteemed ale mail list will remain in touch with the store, and continue to get updates when new and exciting products become available. Orders will still arrive for about two months after the new owner takes over. We appreciate all the support that this store has received from you over the past years and hope that you continue to shop here in the future.
YIPPIE KAHY YEAH (Mother !@#$%^&)!!!!
Thanks,
Jason, Adam & The Staff
A Couple... Make that A FEW New Beers
Great Waters has a new pulled beer, "The Apocalypse." With a name like that, it HAS to be good. Rock Bottom also has a new beer on tap, Bottom's Up Bitter. O'Hara's Brew Pub in St. Cloud now has a Maibock on tap. Friends, I'm about ready for a beer. You?
Northern Brewer Hop Rhizome Pre-Order
Northern Brewer is now taking pre-orders for hop rhizomes. Available varieties include Brewer's Gold, Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Fuggle, Hallertau, Goldings, Mt. Hood, Nugget, Sterling and Willamette. Personally, I'm thinking about growing some Centennial and Mt. Hood this year. Have you ever wanted to grow your own hop plants? If so, you will need to
purchase a hop rhizome, which is a root cutting from a female hop plant.
We have a good selection of hop rhizomes to offer this year, and they
are available for pre-order on our website:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/rhizomes.html
This year, we will be shipping rhizomes to you directly from Oregon, in
the heart of hop country. Since hop rhizomes are a living plant, we feel
that this is the best way to get healthy rhizomes from the hop growers in
the Pacific Northwest to your door.
There are shipping restrictions on rhizomes -- we can't send them
internationally, or to Hawaii or Idaho. See our website for details.
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