Month: December 2007

MN Beer is a web gem

By on December 26, 2007in mnbeer.com

In case you missed Sunday’s Star Tribune Arts section while you were busy with all your holiday goings-on, Chris Riemenschneider gave MNBeer a nice plug. I might not have noticed it however someone kindly inserted a picture of a beer being poured into a mug. Trust a picture of beer to catch my eye any day.

Web gem
Last update: December 22, 2007 – 4:35 PM

www.mnbeer.com

Talk about a vicious circle: As Minnesota beer aficionados/snobs have more brands to drink up and events to take in, they naturally have a harder time keeping track of it all. This site was brewed for that reason. Essentially a message board and events calendar for in-state breweries and brewpubs, it’s the place to go to find out things like: When is Schell’s Bockfest? (Feb. 2.) What new brews are on tap at Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery? (A chocolatey Belgian ale called Festivus 2007 and an English IPA called 1800.) And what’s causing the worldwide hops shortage? (Expertly explained in a long letter from Summit proprietor Mark Stutrud.)

OK, so it’s not always riveting stuff, but it helps you get to the riveting stuff.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

News from New Ulm

By on December 24, 2007in breweries

Merry Christmas from MNBeer and Schell’s.  Here’s your present beer lovers…

On the first of Christmas, Schell’s gave to me… Schmaltz Alt. Look for it in stores now. As always, once it’s gone, it’s gone.

On the second day of Christmas, Schell’s let me know… that Snowstorm will still be around for a couple of months. They’re packaging the final batch next week.

On the third day of Christmas, Schell’s let me know… that Maifest will make it’s annual appearance around March.  All the batches are in, and are quietly aging in the cellars.

On the fourth day of Christ, Schell’s said to me… that Feb. 15th (August Schell’s birthday) will mark the beginning of their limited edition, draft only series leading up to their 150th anniversary.  The first batch is Einbecker, a doppelbock based on a recipe from 1878.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Schell’s said to me… that they’ll be debuting a new year-round beer in March. You may have tasted this one before… you’ll remember it as Snowstorm 2006.  They brewed the first batch last week, and the yeast is busy turning the sugar from the six British malts into what was their most popular Snowstorm ever. The name? Schell’s Stout.

On the 6th – 12th day of Christmas… we just drank a little beer.

Thanks Dave!

Volunteer at UMMO

By on December 21, 2007in homebrew

It’s that time again… time for the best homebrew contest in the Midwest, the Upper Mississippi Mash-Out. If you’ve never submitted a beer or volunteered at a beer event, this is the one. The clubs do a great job putting on such a huge contest and manage to keep it fun with extras like a great banquet, speakers and lots of extras for volunteers. I hear they have beer, too…

If you’re not a BJCP judge, you can still volunteer to steward. I volunteered as a steward for the first time last year. You follow the instructions, help the judges, check their (sometimes sketchy) math and tabulate score sheets, among other things.

One (of many) cool things with this contest is that they have a “new brewer” category for people who haven’t yet entered a homebrew contest. I got second place last year which brought me a medal and $40 (I think) at Northern Brewer. Not bad.

 I’m writing to invite you to join us for the Mid West’s largest homebrew contest the weekend of January 25-26, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The 2007 contest drew nearly 1000 entries from across the country.

In 2008 we’re awarding more medals and also have more events scheduled around a Belgian beer theme. Highlights include:

-Speaker Stan Hieronymous, author of “Brew Like a Monk”
-The Brewer’s Forum – a Q & A and beer tasting with local pro brewers
-The Indoor Pub Crawl – no steenking buses, we bring the beer to you!
-Belgian-themed banquet
-commemorative beer & glass for all judges & stewards
-judging session food for volunteers

Visit our web site for more details and to sign up to judge or steward.

http://www.mnbrewers.com/events/mashout/

Let me know if you have any questions. I hope to see you at UMMO ’08.

—
Steve Fletty
2008 Judge Coordinator

$even Corners Parking Ramp

By on December 20, 2007in misc. mn beer

Maybe I haven’t been paying enough attention, but I noticed that the Seven Corners Parking Ramp (adjacent to Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery) isn’t as cheap as I remember. Dawn and I stopped in for a beer and a growler exchange and ended up paying $5 for about an hour of parking. In the past, we’ve paid a buck or two to park for about an hour. Thankfully, bike parking is still free near TH. 🙂

4th Annual Holiday LRT Bar Hop

By on December 20, 2007in bars/restaurants

What are you doing on Saturday? If your answer is “nothing” then maybe you should check out the following Finnegan’s outing…

4th Annual Holiday LRT Bar Hop
Saturday, December 22nd

Get out your holiday costumes (Santa’s, elves, grinches, etc.) and
enjoy a Finnegan’s at any of the four stops along the Light Rail Transit.

Every stop with have:
– Finnegan’s Beer Specials;
($2 or $2.50 bottles or taps);
– band or entertainment;
– food buffet;
– lot’s of fun!

Or, join Finnegan’s for the private, post-party at the Fort Snelling Club at 9p.
Live bands, pictures with Santa, raffle, costume contest, etc.

RSVP required.

Schedule and more information at http://www.LRTBarHop.com