Arborfest Update
Arborfest Regional Craft Beer Festival Update
Tickets are still available for Arborfest 2006! A few more great breweries have signed on - Bandana Brewery, Lake Superior Brewing and Rush River are now going to be in attendance. This is the time of year the Maibocks start rolling out - expect to see a couple of them there. There will be great live entertainment including a bagpipe opening, and local bands the Mamas and Hip Replacement.
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 all of your local breweries and brew pubs.
Participating Breweries: Bandana Brewery Barley Johns Brew Pub, Bell's, Fitgers Brewhouse, Finnegans, Great Waters Brewing Co., Lake Superior Brewing, 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 deductible as a charitable donation.
For more information visit the official website:
www.familytreeclinic.org/arborfest/
A question about old (really old!) Twin Cities bars...
A reader, Mozena wants some information, and we don't have the answer, perhaps you do? Fill me in...I am trying to find out of there is a bar in the Twin Cities (still, and continously) operational that precedes prohibition!? I know Palmer's Bar on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis is celebrating a 100 year anniversary this year and I was just wondering how it ranks among the other old bars in the region. Thanks.
Best of the Twin Cities
City Pages has released their "Best of the Twin Cities" and much to our surprise, MNBeer.com made the cut as best blog (specialty), most likely beating out local blogs about dogs, cats, gardening and the likes. Seriously, though, we're honored and plan on celebrating with some local brews this weekend. If your tastes have matured beyond the King of Beers, and you've grown bored with even the finer European imports, MN Beer will be your guide to finding local breweries, microbreweries, beer-related events in Minnesota and Wisconsin, homebrew information and pubs that serve unique and tasty microbrews from all over the country. Launched last September, the site also tracks which bars are serving new and interesting selections, and steers the reader to local press features on the pub scene. MN Beer pays homage to our state's brewing history with short pieces on Shell's, Finnegan's, and other breweries with touring schedules and current product lines. There are also fastidious updates on the beer menus of Twin Cities microbreweries. Whether you can tell a Maibock from an oatmeal stout or not, thanks to MN Beer you need never drink a lousy beer again. Other picks that we like to enjoy with a local brew include Mikenastics (enjoyed with something strong like Summit's Oktoberfest), The Turf Club (Hamm's, Bell's Summit... you choose...), P.O.S., Atmosphere, The Midnight Evils (enjoyed with no less than two gallons of local beer in your belly, be it Pig's Eye or Schell's Pale Ale), Al's in St. Louis Park (we suggest Summit EPA or Amber, as that's what they have on tap. Bring cash or check as Al's doesn't take credit/cash cards. And if we smoked, hell, we'd smoke at Al's. And for what it's worth, my uncle refers to Al's as SLP's Stand Up Franks), Blue Max Liquors (The BEST reason to visit Burnsville), The Riverview Theater (which we often enjoy before or after a beer or three) and The Muddy Pig (uh... DUH!).
Belgian Beer Sale at Surdyk's
Just a head's up that Surdyks in Mpls has a sale on Belgian beer from 4/27 to 5/6, 15-25% off.
Curt Stock Elected to AHA Governing Committee
Happy Gnome Easter Brunch
If my grandma wasn't such a good cook, I'd consider having Easter brunch at The Happy Gnome... Now if only Grandma had a kegerator... Wondering where to go for brunch this Sunday? How about The Happy Gnome? We will be serving up a nice selection of breakfast and lunch items from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Not to mention $3 bloody marys and mimosas and one of the best beer selections in the Twin Cities. Since this is our first year we have no idea how busy it will be so you may want to call for reservations. Our number is 651-287-2018.
The Muddy Pig will be opening at 5:00 this Sunday. See above.
Summit's new beer, Scandia, will be available at The Muddy Pig and The Happy Gnome on Thursday, April 20. Check out their website www.summitbrewing.com for details of this great new beer.
Drink good beer,
Mark
Slow Foods Beer Tasting
This sounds like fun as well. Word on the street is that Lanny, Dave Berg from Bandana Brewery and I are all from the same town in central Minnesota... beer nerds unite! Slow Food Minnesota Presents
TRUE BREW
Sunday, April 30, 2:00-6:30 p.m.
Lanny Hoff, owner of Artisanal Imports of Minneapolis and an international beer expert, will conduct a formal beer tasting from 2:00-6:30 p.m. Fifteen fine beers from around the world will be presented in five flights: each flight will consist of three examples of a single type of beer. (A very special thanks to Cellars Wines & Spirits, Inc. for being our retail partner and for offering attendees a 10 percent discount on purchases at their shops throughout the Twin Cities.)
At the halfway point, attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy a light snack, conversation and of course more beverages. In addition to treats from the Happy Gnome, our snack will feature certified organic cured pork tenderloin from Beaver Creek Ranch. We are grateful to Doug Anderson of Beaver Creek Ranch for his generous donation. Mr. Anderson holds the patent for his unique curing process using spinach. No nitrites or nitrates are used. You will not want to miss this tasting and presentation.
Activities: formal beer tasting, light lunch and conversation. Casual dress.
Where: the Happy Gnome, 498 Selby Avenue, St. Paul.
Directions: (from Minneapolis) take 94 East to exit 240-Dale Street. Turn right on Dale Street. Go to Selby Ave. and turn Left. The Happy Gnome will be on your right. Turn right into the parking lot. Our event will be held upstairs in the banquet rooms.
Cost: $25 for Slow Food members; $35 per person for non-members. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.
RESERVATIONS NEED TO BE MADE BY APRIL 27, AND FULL PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
To reserve, e-mail chefron73@hotmail.com or call 612-362-9210. Please make check payable to Slow Food Minnesota and mail to
Slow Food Minnesota
P.O. Box 14059
Minneapolis, MN 55414.
Reservations are limited, so take a moment to respond to chefron73@hotmail.com now.
For those interested in joining Slow Food, membership materials will be available at the event.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will be used to fund local food producers accepted as Terra Madre participants in Turin, Italy in October 2006.
Thank you for your continued support.
Ron Huff, CCC
Leader/founder Slow Food Minnesota
Vine Park Beer Trip
Vine Park is hosting a beer trip and it sounds like a great time... if only I had some $$ and vacation time... Enjoy a beer with us in Prague & Krakonos & Cerna Hora & ...
Introducing Vine Park's First Beer Trip!
Ten days starting & ending in Prague with days of exploring micro and
independent breweries throughout Czech Bohemia and some of Moravia.
We'll visit medieval cities, tour breweries, see Telc (a UNESCO World
Heritage site) and much more. Our focus is the culture of the area as
expressed in the beers but also with plenty of time to see &
experience the food & people beyond the beers!
August 31 thru September 10, 2006. We meet in Prague and the trip
price includes: 9 nights accommodations, travel by private coach, rail
and public transportation, brewery visits, beer tasting, entrance fees
& tours, all breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, and trip leadership.
Our tour operator is very experienced and specializes in travel to the
great beer destinations of the world. We are very lucky that Beer
Trips owner, Mike Saxton, will join us in our travels. Dan & Deb
Justesen will go as trip hosts and we want to encourage spouses &
significant others to come along.
Detailed trip information and registration is at
www.beertrips.com/vinepark. Contact Dan at dan@vinepark.com or call
at 651-228-1355 to express an interest.
Great Waters Update
Great Waters will be releasing their Tartar Control IPA next Tuesday. I suggest you stop by for a pint. Their e-mail also detailed their happy hour specials: Join us for Happy Hour! Monday - Friday 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to close All Pints - $2.50 Rail Drinks - $2.50 House Wine - $3.50 I'm all about saving some $$ and having a great pint of beer. Now if only we oculd get them to update their beer list on their website :)
Double Beer Release at Town Hall Tonight
It's Wednesday again (thank God!) and Minneapolis Town Hall will have two beers tonight! Sounds tasty! I was there on Friday night and they were rolling out a few different seasonals for the weekend. They had the last of their Irish red on tap when I arrived and I also tasted a barley wine (Twisted Reality), a smoked dunkel and an imperial stout (Jack Frost). My favorite beer of the night, however, was the IPA on cask. My preference will probably change on my next visit, but the cask IPA was very nice. Midnight Howler Coffee Stout- 5.3% Stout infused with cold press coffee made from freshly roasted beans by Peace Coffee. (Check them out @www.peacecoffee.com)
Little Stubby Pale Ale 5.7% English pale ale that features floor malted Marris Otter base malt and this beer is also generously hopped with British Kent Golding hops. Some may believe it resembles an ESB, but we used an Irish yeast. This is the first batch of beer made in our new fermenter.....the short little stubby tank.
If you are wondering what will fill the third seasonal line you may just have to stop by the brewery and see......should be worth the trip!
Surly Grand Opening
Pssst! Surly is having their grand opening in May! Mark your calanders! Surly is planning on opening to the public for tours (which involve beer tastings) on May 12 & 13. Yes 2006. Look, we have been really busy brewing beer because people keep drinking it. Yes, it took a long time. Look, it's gonna be cool. Two beers on cask, Bourbun Bender and maybe a dry-hopped cask of Furious. I'm not sure exactly, I'll have to see what Todd wants to do special for the Grand Opening. Of course we will have Bender and Furious on tap. Our summer beer? Well it may or might not be ready. More details to follow. See you here. P.S. The April 1st posting about Surly versus Surly was, of course, an April Fool's joke.
Muddy Pig Update: I Love Beer Pub Tour Cancelled
Here's an update from Mark at the Muddy Pig... they'll be celebrating Prohibition's partial repeal tonight (yup, 74 years ago Americans could once again legally buy 3.2 beer!) I thought about going but then decided to meet random friends at Minneapolis Town Hall to celebrate Prohibition's repeal, my new job and my 31st birthday. Cheers! Today we celebrate the repeal of Prohibition and our right to enjoy good beer. To mark to occasion our friends at Summit Brewing Company have organized a pub crawl with The Muddy Pig and The Happy Gnome. Pints of Summit beers are just $3 all day at both pubs. Yippee!
The Happy Gnome will be serving up Easter brunch on the 16th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are not required but would probably be a good idea.
Summit’s newest beer, Scandia, is their take on a Belgian white ale with a Scandinavian twist. It makes its debut on Thursday, April 20 and will be available at both The Muddy Pig and The Happy Gnome.
On a sad note, the 9th annual “I Love Beer” pub tour will not be happening this spring. Two more pubs dropped out this year because the owners just don’t get it. But I was talking with Pete over at Town Hall (Pete and I set up the first tour in ’98) and we think we can get things back on track this fall with a new and improved list of participants. The tour must go on.
A Question About 3.2 Beer...
This comes from a recent visitor to MNBeer.com... I really don't know the answer. Anyone? I have a buddy who insists that 3.2 beer that you can buy at SA or whatever is the same beer as you can get in the liquor stores. He proports the brewing companies just pay the fine to the state for the alcohol level being incorect. In essence, he says Mn counts on this money from the fines to add to our budget. Is there any truth in that?
MICHAEL JACKSON ON CONAN
Did anyone catch Michael Jackson on Conan last night? Pretty funny... seeing Conan's eyes after Jackson offered him a taste of DFH's Golden Shower... classic... I don't know what was more funny, the beer or the fact that Jackson came on with his fly down!
Keep Minnesota Brewing
This comes to us from Don Brewington in Duluth, Minnesota. Keep Minnesota Brewing
This infighting and name calling makes everyone look bad. I get the feeling that we are being played by some larger power. This is all moot now anyway, no one can win this argument.
Minnesota needs real brewery law reform. We should aim to have laws that mirror Wisconsin. If we organize all the beer lovers in the state and they in turn call and write their legislatures on a weekly basis until the changes are made we will have a real chance. We need to frame those who oppose it as being anti-job, anti-business, anti-Minnesota, as being outsiders trying to control Minnesota.
We need to educate the public. I always explain Minnesota’s beer laws when I give tours at LSB. Ninety percent of the people have no idea, and these are individuals who care enough about Minnesota beer to visit an out of the way brewery.
If any of you support the idea of “Wisconsinfying” the brewery laws of Minnesota please contact me at dbrewing@yahoo.com
This is still a Democracy if we rise up we will win.
Prost!,
Don Brewington
Duluth, MN
Surly vs. Surly
In what many have seen as a surprise move, local bicycle makers, Surly (Bikes) have issued a cease and decist order to local beer makers, Surly (Brewing) with charges of Trademark infringement over the name Surly. This came as quite a surprise to me... I thought there was mutual respect between the two companies, though apparently all is not fair with regards to love, bikes, beers and war. MNBeer.com will be starting a legal defense fund for Surly Brewing. You can send your cash, your credit cards, beer collections 55# sacks of grain to: MNBeer.com Aprilfool's Division 2839 Dumbjoke Street Ihadto, MN 55426 Happy April Fool's.
A Couple o' Tap Updates...
These haven't been mentioned on the site, so now seems as good a time as ever. Bandana Brewery now has "Sleepy Eye Schwarzbier" on tap, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery has a "Merlot Stout" on cask and Rock Bottom Brewery has "Fire Chief Ale" on tap. Also, on Tuesday, Rock Bottom is having a a chili cookoff... Tuesday , April 4th 6:30pm
"Great Balls of Fire Chili Cook-off"
$5 Charitable donation and you be the judge of
The Best Firehouse Chili in Minneapolis
-Raffle prizes including
-Silent auction including Beer for a Year and Be a Firefighter for a day
Cellars Minnetonka Beer Tasting 4/7
Lots to celebrate on the 7th... Prohibition's partial repeal, it's the day after my birthday and Cellars Minnetonka will have a beer tasting that day, among other things... Hi All
We have good news, Mr. Bred from Chisago Lakes Dist. is coming for beer tasting on April 07 (Friday) 2006.
Time 2.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. Please join us.
Thank you.
Saini & staff
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