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.

Minnesota State Fair Homebrew Competition

By on July 11, 2012in homebrew, MN

Kinda’ funny how the State Fair always creeps up on us, not unlike “back to school” areas in department stores. In any case, it’s time to start thinking about the State Fair Homebrew Competition. Details below.

Minnesota State Fair Homebrewed Beer, Mead and Cider Competition

This isn’t your Grandma’s blue ribbon!  As part of The Great Minnesota Get Together the Primary Fermenters Brewers and Vintners will be hosting the 11th Annual Minnesota State Fair Homebrewed Beer, Mead and Cider Competition.

Get your entries brewing!  On-line registration will be open from July 20th to August 3rd. Competition is limited to the first 750 entries. You can drop off your entries in person at either Midwest Supplies or Northern Brewer Stores between July 27th and August 3rd. Mail-in entries will be accepted at Midwest Supplies only.

Judging will take place on Friday, evening August 17th, AND Saturday, August 18th, on the State Fair grounds.  Best of Show judging and awards will be held during the Minnesota State Fair, on Saturday, August 25th at 11 AM on the MN Craft Brewers Guild Stage, in the Ag-Hort Building.

Please join us for a fun competition!  To volunteer and help with the competition, contact Amanda Kutzke, the Competition Organizer, directly at pfbrewclub@gmail.com or to judge/steward sign-up online at http://www.mnstatefair.brewcompetition.com (beginning July 20th.)

Dates to Remember:
Online Registration:  July 20 – Aug. 3, 2012
Entries accepted at drop-off sites:  July 27 – Aug. 3, 2012 until 3 PM
Judging:  August 17-18, 2012 (Not Open to Public)
Best-Of-Show Judging and Awards:  August 25, 2012 (Open to Public)

For more information and additional details visit: http://www.mnstatefair.brewcompetition.com/

Beer Dabbler Highland Fest

By on July 9, 2012in beer events, breweries, brewpubs

The next Beer Dabbler festival, Summer Beer Dabbler at Highland Fest is right around the corner – Saturday, July 21st from 1-5pm (doors open at 12:30) at Hillcresst Park in St. Paul as part of St. Paul’s Highland Fast.

Tickets are  $30 in advance or $40 at the door (unless it sells out, and I think it will).  As per usual, you can sample beers from more than 50 local, regional, and national breweries as well as some special new and limited releases, including The Beer Dabbler’s Oak Barrel brew, made exclusively for the event by Big Wood Brewery.

Food? Yes. Details? Sure. Along with typical Highland Fest fare, Beer Dabbler will have some great food trucks on the premises, including Hola Arepa, Fork in the Road, Chef Shack, and Stanley’s on Wheels.

Other fun stuff: Live music by The Japhies, Little Man and Apollo Cobra; Fourth annual Highland Fest Home Brew Competition;
Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room Minnow Races; (beer) educational games and activities put on by the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Social Science and more!

Get your tickets online at thebeerdabbler.com or at The Ale Jail, Four Firkins, or Thomas Liquors.

Flat Earth Beer Dinner at Pinstripes in Edina

By on July 6, 2012in beer dinners, beer events, breweries, MN

Flat Earth & Pinestripes are pairing up for a beer dinner on July 26th. Grab your balls (bowling, bocce) and head over to Edina for a nice pairing of Flat Earth beers and food from Pinstripes’ executive chef Ceasar Gutierrez. Tickets are $50/person in advanced. Reservations required.

Menu:

Reception

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare
Element 115 infused aioli, crostini
Flat Earth Element 115 Lager

Course One

Kobe Beef Slider
Pale ale caramelized onions, pretzel roll
Flat Earth Belgian-Style Pale Ale

Course Two

Angry Planet Beer Battered Frog Legs
Calabrese Vinaigrette
Flat Earth Angry Planet Pale Ale

Course Three

Roasted Chicken
Pickled red onions, Passage IPA spicy chocolate mole sauce
Flat Earth Northwest Passage IPA

Course Four

Coffee
Chocolate, Cygnus X-1 Porter gelato
Cygnus X-1 Porter