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.

Alaskan Launch Week in Minnesota

By on April 27, 2011in bars/restaurants, beer events, beer laws, beer stores, brewpubs, cask beer

Dumping these all into the calendar would be an exercise in futility (though we might do it if we don’t sit and enjoy these Alaskan samples, instead), but here’s the list of events that the Original Gravity folks have planned. Here’s what we have thus far… things may change:

Launch Week Events mapped out
http://bit.ly/AlaskanMeetsMN

Alaskan will be awarding some lucky individuals at various events throughout the week with:
-A bottle each: 2010 Smoked Porter, 2010 Barley Wine and Imperial IPA
-Seats to the Smoked Porter Vertical on Saturday, May 14th with Alaskan Brewing founder, Geoff Larson
-Tickets to 2011 City Pages Beer Fest
-A case of 2010 Smoked Porter and one case of 2010 Barley Wine

In addition to these great events, Geoff and Marcy Larson (The founders of Alaskan) will be in town for events around MN Craft Beer Week. Read on for complete details of Alaskan’s launch week in Minnesota.

Saison Tasting at Heritage Thursday

By on April 27, 2011in beer events, beer stores

I hope this works. Heritage is attempting to conjure up a little spring (if not summer) by sampling saisons. My fingers are crossed…

We all know what we’re getting ourselves into when we live in Minnesota…long winters.  But even the hardiest of us have had enough this year.  We’re gonna try to break the cycle by breaking out our favorite summer beer…Saison.  We’ll have American and Belgian representations to compare and they’ll be 15% off during the tasting. Hopefully drinking some Saisons will convince Mother Nature it’s time to flip the switch on summer.

Our Thursday tastings run from 5-7PM.

MN Craft Beer Week Homebrew Contest

By on April 26, 2011in homebrew

In celebration of Minnesota Craft Beer Week, we are having a home-brewed beer contest to showcase American styles of beer. Entries will be accepted between April 18 – May 7 at both Northern Brewer and Midwest Supplies. Each entry is $7/two bottles (one entry per style). This contest is open to non-professional home brewers and Minnesota residents.

The contest is limited to styles:

1A – Lite American Lager
1B – Standard American Lager
1C – Premium American Lager
2C – Classic American Pilsner
4A – Dark American Lager
6A – Cream Ale
6B – Blonde Ale
6D – American Wheat or Rye
7B – California Commons
10A – American Pale Ale
10B – American Amber Ale
10C – American Brown Ale
13E – American Stout
14B – American IPA
14C – Imperial IPA
19C – American Barley Wine

There will be many prizes awarded with Best of Show being the opportunity to brew with Mike Hoops at Town Hall Brewery. Please visit our website for more information and to sign up your entry: www.mncraftbeerweekcontest.com

This event is registered with the AHA/BJCP and will be judged on Saturday, May 14th with the location to be determined. If you are interested in judging or assisting with the contest, please sign up on the website until May 7th. We strongly encourage judges of all experience levels to help out. (Those interested in helping who have little to no experience will be paired with experienced BJCP judges.)

If you have any questions, please email me at: gera_latour@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Gera Exire LaTour
Contest Organizer

P.S. Please pass this on to those who might be interested.

Growler Help Needed in Roseville

By on April 22, 2011in breweries

Kris from Pour Decisions Brewing Co. dropped me a line today regarding a snag they’ve run into in their attempt to get a growler law passed in Roseville so that they can sell growlers of their beer at the brewery. A local liquor store sent a letter against the proposed change, suggesting that it would take away from their business. PDBC’s research says otherwise, suggesting that new breweries bring new beer geeks into areas that they normally wouldn’t go. Take a second and answer the poll question on their Facebook page and weigh in. As they’ve said “This isn’t just about PDBC its about beer in Roseville so send your friends over for their opinions!”

Also, if you are around Roseville on Monday at 7pm please feel free to come down to the city hall and support PDBC. Anyone is able to speak and they’d love to have you help out!