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.

Summit Unchained #11, Kentucky Common

By on October 9, 2012in breweries
Remember that time that I guessed Summit Unchained #11 might refer to Minnesota’s Old Highway 152 that stretched between Minneapolis and St. Cloud? As luck would have it, I was incorrect. Old 152 is also the official steam engine of the state of Kentucky.
Today Summit Brewing Co. officially announces the release of Old 152, the eleventh beer in its Unchained Series. Old 152 was created by brewer Eric Harper, who also created Unchained #4, Belgian Style Golden Ale. It will be available in draught and bottles the week of Oct. 22.
“This Unchained beer is based on Kentucky Common, a popular beer style in and around Louisville pre-prohibition,” said Harper. “The style disappeared after prohibition in favor of the lagers that we’re familiar with today. Old 152 will feature Cluster hops, one of the only hop varieties available in the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”
“The beer pours a chestnut color with a slight haze and exhibits flavors of biscuit, toast and rye. Kentucky Common beers traditionally feature a “sour mash,” also used in the process of making another Kentucky staple: bourbon. Old 152 itself will not be sour but will feature crisp, caramel notes and a clean bitterness.”
To clarify, brewing this beer does employ a sour mash.
Old 152 Stats:
AVB: 5.8%
IBU: 55
Color: Chesnut
Hops: Cluster, Northern Brewer (Dry hopped: Cluster)
Malts/Grains: Pale Malt, Victory®, Crystal Medium, Rye Malt, Distillers Malt, White Wheat, Maize
Eric Harper will attend a series of special kick-off events for Old 152, including:
  • Oct. 18: Beer Dinner – Kincaid’s in St. Paul, 6:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 23: Bean bag battle with Harper for Summit prizes – Sweeney’s, 4-6 p.m.
  • Oct. 25: Beer Dinner – Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille, 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 14: Hunter’s Dinner – Jax Café, time TBA

Top Brewer Minnesota

By on October 5, 2012in bars/restaurants, beer events, breweries, homebrew, MN

Description from Top Brewer: This event is a celebration of the local craft beer scene.  Never before has the community been brought together to choose what beer will enter the local market.  This event unites local breweries, beer lovers, homebrewers, and craft beer bars in one harmonious event, by showcasing each, and the contribution they make to our community.

Groveland Tap, October 11 & 25th – 6-9:30pm
Edina Grill, October 18 – 6-9:30pm
3 Squares, November 1 – 6pm-9:30pm

The event is 100% Minnesotan.  Taking place on Thursdays in October on scenic patios.

The brewer that will own the Top Brewer MN will be determined through a series of 4 qualifying events, which will be held at a different Blue Plate Group Restaurant. Each week 6 local homebrewers bring a beer to be judged; the winner of each week will be given ingredients courtesy of Northern Brewer and Brewer Supply Group to make a beer for the finals.

The Finals will be held at Lucid Brewing Company on February 2nd and the winner will be be known around Minnesota and beyond as TOP BREWER MINNESOTA.

Top Brewer MN will give local homebrewers an opportunity to be able to brew on a production scale brewing system with the gang at Lucid Brewing Company, help name the beer, and of course be apart of the promotional team through a series of events in March.

Each of the four events will be limited to 200 attendees and will cost fifteen dollars. Ticket will includes a complimentary Lucid beer of your choice, live music featuring local artists, and special pricing for Lucid beers as well as some food items paired specifically with the Lucid beers. For more information go to www.topbrewer.org

Nosferatu Tasting tonight at Four Firkins

By on October 5, 2012in beer events, beer stores

I caught this one in The Four Firkins newsletter. Sounds like a good time… if only I weren’t heading out of town:

Tonight is going to be pretty crazy. Fancy Friday, Spooky Edition is going on all day, but the real festivities start at 6. We’ll be hosting Brent from Great Lakes Brewing Company as he taps and pours a keg of Nosferatu, a hoppy imperial red that weighs in at 8% ABV. Yes, we are paying for a keg of Nosferatu and sampling it away for free! That’s how we roll.

We’ll be dressed up, and you are invited to dress up in your spooky finest, too!
Cost: FREE
Time: Sampling starts at 6.
Fine Print: You don’t need a costume to attend. But you know you want to.
We will be awarding a $50 Four Firkins gift card to what we deem the best costume, and a $25 Pizza Luce gift card to the runner up. Also, anyone dressed as the classic Nosferatu will get a free beer!

Oktoberfest Bier Tasting and Dinner at St. Paul’s on the Hill

By on October 5, 2012in beer dinners, beer events, brewpubs

On Saturday October  20th at 6pm, St. Paul’s on the Hill (an Episcopal Church, btw) will host an Oktoberfest beer tasting with Brian Lonberg, a chef, and the head brewer at Barley John’s Brew Pub in New Brighton.

There will be a beer tasting and lecture covering most major styles of beer, and at least a dozen samples, followed by a Q&A with the brewer. Learn about how to best pair beer with meals, cheeses, desserts, and how to use beer in your own cooking. Find out how the major beer styles developed and what to expect to find in your glass, what it takes to get from the field to the Stein, and what you need to know when you go to a bottle shop. After the tasting enjoy appetizers, a short performance of German music by St. Paul’s Organ Master and select choir members, followed by a German themed dinner, silent auction, and of course, more beer.

Tickets are $30, and all proceeds benefit the the church.

Enter through the office doors on Saratoga St., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the Hill – 1524 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105

Ticket link

— Make your donation in increments of $30 per ticket desired. In the second box put your name and number of tickets you’re ordering.