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.

Wild Game and Brewer’s Feast at Grand Superior Lodge

gslBarring a visit to Boathouse Brewpub in Ely, beer pairing dinners north of Duluth  fairly slim pickings. So if you’re in the area on October 26th, you should do yourself a favor and check out the Wild Game and Brewer’s Feast at Grand Superior Lodge.

The event includes 13 game items including antelope meat loaf, elk pot roast, and caribou polish sausage. Bo Belanger, head brewer at South Shore Brewery, has been personally providing the beers for the last five years. Bo says his favorite part is actually getting to talk beer with guests.

“[It’s] the one-on-one ness,” Belanger says. “You can literally go and talk to each person individually and see if you’ve made an impression with your beer.”

Talk beer and enjoy some great food pairings in a great setting? Sounds pretty good! The dinner is available by itself for $50, or there’s a 2-night lodging option that includes a beer+bourbon welcome reception (ostrich quesadillas!), a welcome bucket of South Shore brews, and a pretty decent room. That’s $250 for two, and last year they came close to selling out the lodging package, so probably worth mentioning early so people can plan (the dinner alone has more availability).

Saturday Buffet-Style Dinner – October 26, 2013
6:00PM Appetizers | 7:00PM Dinner
$50/per person, including a selection of seasonal beers from South Shore Brewery

Reservations required: 800-627-9565

John Palmer Book Signing at Northern Brewer MPLS

water“How to Brew” author John Palmer will be at Northern Brewer in Minneapolis on Monday, September 23rd from 5-7pm to celebrate the launch of his latest book, “Water.” “How to Brew” ranks right up there with “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing.” Stop by Northern Brewer’s Minneapolis location to get a signed copy of the book and talk water with John!

“Water chemistry is a complex and daunting topic- often the most difficult and least understood element of brewing even though it accounts for roughly 95% of your beer. Understanding your water is the final piece of the brewing puzzle. The ultimate challenge.”

 

Oktoberfest at Tycoons in Duluth

tycoonslogoDave Hoops from Fitger’s Brewhouse has put together a huge beer list for Oktoberfest at Tycoons (September 20-21). He’s got 11 beers in classic Oktoberfest styles Wiesn and Märzen, and five are from Minnesota microbreweries (two of course are from Germany, and three are from the greater Midwest). It’s the largest collection of Oktoberfest microbrews in Duluth. Check it out!

Fitger’s Brewhouse Oktoberfest Wiesn 6.1%
Duluth, Minnesota

Brewed strictly according to the Bavarian beer purity law of 1516, it has the character of a typical light bottom-fermented festival beer with a balanced harmonious taste and the pleasant fragrance of hops.

Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn 5.8%
Munich, Germany

This bier with a clean, malty nose has fruitiness and nutty notes too, along with a hint of baking spices. The mouth features a precise, clean palate with light body. The balance of nutty flavors and fruity Munich malt is more careful here than the other Oktoberfests we tasted, but the intensity is less, as well. The finish has a touch of crisp bitterness and nice malt.

Bell’s Octoberfest 5.5%
Galesburg, Michigan

Octoberfest trades in the assertive hop presence of some lagers for a focus on a light caramel malt note, lending body without too much sweetness.

Surlyfest 6.0%
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

A traditional Oktoberfest bier from Surly? Nein! Malted Rye, Flaked Rye, and Crystal Rye impart a biscuit flavor to the lush Vienna Malt body, and dry-hopping with Sterling Hops adds bright, floral hop aromas.

Summit Oktoberfest 6.6%
St. Paul, Minnesota

Brewed in the classic Märzen style with Northern Brewer hops from Germany. Rich, toffee malt flavors up front with a clean hop finish as crisp as the autumn air.

Samuel Adams Oktoberfest 5.3%
Boston, Massachusetts

This brew masterfully blends together five roasts of malt to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The malt is complemented by the elegant bitterness imparted by the Bavarian Noble hops.

Schell’s Oktoberfest 5.5%
New Ulm, Minnesota

Brewed with the perfect balance of Pale, Munich, and Cara Pils malt with Liberty and Perle hops to create a rich, smooth taste.

Goose Island Oktoberfest 6.4%
Chicago, Illinois

Notes of toffee and burnt sugar in the aroma and flavors of sweet dried apricots are delivered in a dry malty body with the mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops.

Ayinger Oktoberfest 5.6%
Aying, Germany

Ample fruity Munich malt does most of the driving, giving a fresh, almost sweet character that one identified as “juicy.” There’s soft bitterness to balance here, and the overall impression is of a deeply drinkable, full and round beer with a clean character.

Great Lakes Oktoberfest 6.5%
Cleveland, Ohio

Like the crazy but lovable relative you only see once a year, our Oktoberfest is a heartwarming reunion in a glass — preferably of the heavy, handled German stein variety.

Lift Bridge Oktoberfest 5.5%
Stillwater, Minnesota

Brewed in the style of the modern day Oktoberfest, our beer is on the lighter side of a Märzen and is brewed with traditional European malts and hops, which combine to create a beer with a pleasant roasted malt flavor.

Beer & Wine Bootcamp

bwbGrab your fatigues… er, well… Anyway, A Perfect Pint & Amusée are pairing up for three great sessions of “Beer and Wine Bootcamp.” Given the hosts, Cocerone Michael Agnew and Sommelier Leslee Miller, this should be a fun time. Read on:

What happens when two of the Twin Cities finest Beer & Wine Experts come together?

Beer & Wine Bootcamp, that’s what!

A one-of-a-kind, three-session, educational mini-series that lays down real knowledge with an approachable and entertaining tone. Certified Sommelier Leslee Miller of Amusée and Certified Cicerone Michael Agnew of A Perfect Pint have been complimented as two of the nation’s most “down to earth” beer and wine educators.

Their depth of knowledge, easy rapport, and interactive style make these classes the perfect learning arena for every level of beer & wine drinker.

Beer and Wine Bootcamp is designed for those looking to expand their love and knowledge of these fabulous libations. Each two-hour session covers a different theme and includes 6-8 pours and small bites for pairing. They’re great for a couples’ date night or an outing with your favorite beer/wine besties.

The cost of each session is $40 per attendee.

These sessions can be purchased singly or bundled together as a comprehensive course.

Those who purchase all three classes will receive an Amusée & A Perfect Pint logoed ‘Go Vino’ Glass. (http://www.govinowine.com/)

Sign up fast, Space is limited as we are keeping these courses small for a more intimate learning experience!

Please email: leslee@amuseewine.com to sign up today

October 1, 2013 ~ Session #1: Wine/Beer Bootcamp ~ Learn the basics of these two libations with two of the Twin Cities’ most passionate beer and wine educators, Sommelier Leslee and Cicerone Michael. From styles, regions, grape varietals to all the sensory perspectives of grains to grapes – Michael and Leslee introduce the basics of beer/wine in this introductory 2 hour course.

October 8, 2013 ~ Session #2: The Art of Pairing ~ Understand the basics of how to pair beer and wine to the world of food. Whether the dish is light and bright, salty and savory, or earthy and umami, you’ll learn the time-tested tricks of correctly pairing the right libations to the right foods and gain an understanding of when the ‘old school’ rules need not apply. This class will set you on the path to creating those perfect 1+1=3 equations.

October 15, 2013 ~ Session #3: Sweet Retreat ~ All things sweet paired to beer/wine. Here’s where the fun really kicks in! Think you can’t pair beer to chocolate or sticky candies to wine? The secrets of a sommelier and cicerone are revealed as both Leslee and Michael share some of their favorite sweet bites paired to a number of tasty treats, teaching you how to duplicate these same sugar-coated combinations with your own libations at home.

Classes will be held at:

Casa Verde Design Studio * 911 W 50th St * Minneapolis, MN 55419

There is plenty of street parking available.

SurlyFest is Next Weekend

Jawsh_SurlyFest2013final…and I’m working. I only work a few weekends a year and inevitably, said weekends conflict with fun beer events. What’s more, Dillinger 4 is making one of their rare appearances at the event and they play some of the best beer-fueled, knee-your-friend-in-the-balls sing-along punk rock in all of Minnie-apple. But wait, there’s beer… and artwork.

At right, the latest from Jawsh, this year’s SurlyFest design. Check it out, broken horns and all. We promise there’s no deer blood in the SurlyFest, though I suspect that this fine bearded gentleman would be just fine with a dose plasma in his stein.

Back to details. Surly Brewing Company’s 6th Annual SurlyFest takes place on Saturday, September 21st from 2pm – 6:17pm (yeah, I don’t get it either) and will feature live music, food trucks, and, get this… beer. Your ticket price gets you a half-liter SurlyFest stein and four beer tickets.

For the moment, some tickets are still available. ($45) Click away if you want them…  http://bit.ly/SurlyFest or hit up the brewery Taproom (Wednesday-Friday: 3:00-9:00 p.m., Saturday: Noon- 9 p.m.).

Bands:

2-3pm: Alpensterne a.k.a.The Bratwurst Bros.
3-3:30pm: DJ Shannon Blowtorch
3:30-4:30pm: Crankshaft and The Gear Grinders
4:30-5:15pm: DJ Shannon Blowtorch
5:15-6:15pm: Dillinger Four

…that pirate looks familiar… If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing Dillinger 4 play, check them out. I first saw them (yikes!) in 1995 when a friend (having never heard the band) booked them in our hometown of Fergus Falls and they tore the place down. Beware SurlyFesters, beware.