Author: ryan

Ryan Anderson (that's me!) is the editor & founder of MNBeer. Much has changed since the fall of 2005 and I'm proud to have been a part of it all. Sometime I'll tell you about my grand theory that links craft brewing to punk rock. Just ask.

Winterfest 2013

By on November 21, 2012in beer events, breweries, brewpubs

UPDATE: Seasonal Six Pack tickets are SOLD OUT for the year.

We talked about this change-up a bit earlier this season, but things are now finalized. Your very first opportunity to buy Winterfest tickets will be on December 1st at noon as part of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s “Seasonal Six Pack Holder,” which will include a pair of tickets to All Pints North, Autumn Brew Review and Winterfest. This ticket pack runs $290. If you’ve ever sat in front of a keyboard waiting to order Winterfest or ABR tickets, you’ll likely find this a relief… and you’ll have an excuse to visit Duluth for All Pints North, which was a really great event this summer.

This year’s Winterfest takes place on Friday, February 1st from 7-10pm at the Minnesota History Center. Tickets for this event will be $75 and will go on sale on Monday, December 10th at noon. Mark your calendars!

For those unfamiliar with the event, Winterfest is the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s premiere event, highlighting Minnesota breweries and brewpubs. Breweries and brewpubs all put their best foot forward and bring some of their rarest, most-interesting, and just plain weird beers to this event. There’s really nothing like it. No bones about it, this event isn’t cheap, but I try to remember that the Guild is a non-profit and this is a special event. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay.

http://www.mncraftbrew.org/festivals/winterfest

Introducing Duluth’s Bent Paddle Brewing Company

By on November 21, 2012in breweries, Features

For those of you who didn’t catch their launch yesterday, I’m excited to share a little news about a new brewery-in-progress in Duluth, Bent Paddle Brewing Company. It’s been a long journey and no doubt they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them, but I have no doubt brewers Colin Mullen (Barley John’s) and Bryon Tonnis (Rock Bottom, Twin Ports/Thirsty Pagan) and their wives & partners Laura (Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild) and Karen will create something special in Duluth with Duluth’s first production brewery and taproom. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Colin and Laura from day one with MNBeer – at the time Colin was brewing at Barley John’s and Laura was organizing the annual Arborfest at Macalaster.

In short, their plan is to launch sometime around the spring of 2013. They’re planning on three flagship beers, kegs, 12 oz. cans and of course the taproom. Needless to say, this should be another great reason to visit Duluth!

You can follow their progress on their website: here.

Best of luck to Colin, Laura, Bryon and Karen!

Black Friday at Rathskeller

By on November 21, 2012in bars/restaurants, beer events, breweries

The Rathskeller at Tycoons in Duluth is throwing down with a very special selection of beer for Black Friday. Dave Hoops says he’s stoked to be able to find these beers and encourages people to check it out. They’re offering a “buy two, get your third at half price” deal.

Black Friday is the outstate MN debut of Indeed Midnight Ryder at Duluth’s Tycoons Alehouse and Eatery. Come enjoy some unique black beers, the list is impressive!
– Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
– Surly Darkness
– Sierra Nevada Narwhal
– Odell Bourbon Stout
– Bells Hell Hath No Fury
– Deschutes Abyss
– Alaskan Smoked Porter
– Founders Breakfast Stout
– Fitger’s Brewhouse Bourbon Ed
– Fitger’s Brewhouse Ed Imperial Stout
– Indeed Brewing Midnight Ryder

Double Taproom Tuesday!

By on November 20, 2012in breweries

Okay, so technically all of this happened Monday, but doesn’t “Double Taproom Tuesday” sound much better? In any case, St. Louis Park and Roseville city councils made it possible for Steel Toe Brewing and Pour Decisions Brewing to open taprooms in their respective cities. Congrats to both!

PDBC’s info is especially curious:

THIS JUST IN!!! Without our knowledge, the Roseville city council took it upon themselves at tonight’s council meeting to create a brewery taproom fee that is absolutely reasonable which kept us from having to go back before them! This will allow us to open the taproom for proper pint sales in time for the Xmas holidays! We want to thank them and let them know we are absolutely proud to be a Roseville business!!

Movember FUNdraiser at Fulton

By on November 19, 2012in beer events, breweries, charity

Its that time of year again. During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on more than a million men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.

Join Fulton, Natedogs, Growler Magazine, 89.3 The Current, andThe Beer Dabbler in raising awareness for men’s health issues at the first annual Movember FUNdraiser at the Fulton Taproom on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.

$40 gets you unlimited Fulton brews, 2 Natedogs Wieners, and a Team Soakers T-Shirt to commemorate the mighty month of Movember. Party-goers will also be able to bid on cool and exciting silent auction items like Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival Tickets, a Growler subscription, a Natedogs Hoody, and many more great prizes.

Tickets here: https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=3366

ALL proceeds will be donated to Movember USA.