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.

Fitger’s Bockfest

By on February 19, 2007in beer events, brewpubs

Fitger’s Bockfest is coming soon…

It’s a sure sign of Spring, when we bring the Leiderhosen in for dry cleaning, and dreams of Sugarplums make way for those of brats and Split Rock Bock beer.

Even if you’ve never attended this “blessed” event, you still have time to mend your ways! March 15th – 17th, the Fitger’s Courtyard is the place to be! Highlights of this year’s festivities are the Blackforest torte eating contest, stein races, beer drinking competition.

As always, there will be campfires in the Courtyard, live entertainment, and of course, the legendary Split Rock Bock beer. So, grab your friends and family and come on down to the Fitger’s Courtyard. During Fitger’s Bockfest, there really IS an event for everyone!

Schedule of Events

Thursday, March 15, 2007

  • 5PM – Blessing of the Bock, Campfire, Food & Beer Tent Open Friday, March 16, 2007
  • 6PM – Blessing of the Bock, Campfire, Food & Beer Tent Open
  • 9 PM – Tap Room – Live Entertainment
  • 9:30 PM – Brewhouse – Live Entertainment

Saturday, March 17, 2007

  • 11AM – Steve Chadwick 5K run/walk
  • NOON – Food and Beer Tent open
  • 2 PM – Volksmarch on the Lakewalk
  • 3 PM – Polar Bear Plunge
  • 4 PM – Team Stein Race
  • 7 PM – Blackforest Torte Eating Contest
  • 8 PM – Team Beer Drinking Contest
  • 9 PM – Tap Room – Live Entertainment
  • 9:30 PM – Brewhouse – Live Entertainment

**Leiderhosen and goats welcome, but not required

Schell’s Update: Maifest

By on February 15, 2007in breweries

Schell’s Maifest should be in stores now and should stick around until May when the reformulated Zommerfest arrives. This year, it is a Honey Kolsch;  a blend of 2-row, German Vienna and Carahell, Red Wheat, and some local honey from a beekeeper in Madelia, MN.  The hops are all Sterling. OG: 12 Plato, 25 IBUs.

Cellars Lex/Larp Beer Tasting

By on February 15, 2007in beer events, beer stores

Believe it or not, but we had a tie last week. Colorado ran away with round #1, and Belgium ran away with round #2, but they were a dead even tie for round #3, so we will have two finalists from last week in the final. This week we will feature another great lineup, when Germany, Upper Midwest, and Pacific NW square off. It is sure to be a great time, and we hope attendance shatters last weeks numbers.

So come on in and try some free beer, because drinking in a crowd is so much more fun!

The Cellars Wines, Brews & Spirits
FREE – IN STORE Beer Tastings begin at
7 p.m. and no reservations or fees are required.

MCAB IX Call for Judges & Stewards

By on February 15, 2007in homebrew

The Masters Championship of Amateur Brewering is in need of BJCP judges and stewards:

We’re still in need of judges for MCAB IX:

Judges and Stewards,

This is a call for judges and stewards.  Please follow the instructions
below indicating which sessions you want to judge and if you want to
attend the banquet.

Competition Date: February 23-24, 2007
Location:       The Happy Gnome
498 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102

Event Schedule:

Friday
5:00 PM Gordon Strong – BJCP Grand Master III will be introducing
a new score sheet – All registered judges will recieve a
link to review this scoresheet prior to event.
5:30 PM Friday judge session begins
8:00 PM Hors Deurves / Snack food served at Happy Gnome after judging
(No food served beforehand – so plan appropriately)

Saturday
10:00 AM Flavor Aktive Session lead by Kris England – CEP Class
12:00 PM Lunch served for judges
1:00 PM Saturday judge session begins
3:30 PM Best of Show Judging
3:30-7 PM Try some of the 24 taps the Happy Gnome has to offer
or take advantage of the generous 15% off discount that
Northern Brewer is offering.
Possible Talk/QA event.
7:00 PM Dinner and Awards Ceremony (Dinner will cost $25, please request
reservation by Friday 2/16 – if enough people do not sign up for the
dinner we will just announce the winners and retire to the bar for those
that wish to hang around and socialize)

Dinner Menu (family style):
– Chef’s Seasonal Vegetable
– Fresh Baked Bread
– Mixed Green Salad
– Baby Red Potato Hash with Onions and Bell Peppers
– Bone-in Chicken with Rosemary Chicken Jus

Throughout the event there will be a ‘Waters of the World’ station.
Brewing waters of different regions around the world will be presented
along with examples of the associated beer styles. Completion of self
administered exam will count towards CEP credit.

If you are interested in judging email the organizer and
include:
Name:
BJCP Number:
BJCP Rank:
Preferred Categories:
What Sessions you want to judge Friday 5:00 PM and/or Saturday 1:00 PM:
Dinner Reservation for Saturday night: Yes or No
Dinner Price: $25
Menu TBA by the 14th.

Hotel information for out of town judges:

Best Western – Bandana Square
1010 Bandana Boulevard W
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108-5107, US
Phone: 651-647-1637
Fax: 651-647-0244

mailto:curt@sphbc.org

Curt Stock & Thomas Eibner