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.

Great Lakes Brewing Hits St. Cloud in September

By on August 13, 2013in misc. mn beer

fitzHey St. Cloud, welcome to the party! Ohio’s Great Lakes Brewing Company is coming your way starting September 9th under the wings of  distributor Bernick’s Beverages & Vending. GLBC is currently in both Duluth and the Twin Cities and the company plans to roll out throughout Minnesota in due time.

Expect to see Great Lakes’ regular beers in bottles and on draft as well as their 12-pack sampler. Drink enough and the possibilities are endless! (I went to SCSU. I know that some of you people can drink. There’s a reason that there aren’t many classes on Fridays at the school… or so I hear.)  As we get closer to launch date, look for a variety of events, meet-and-greets, tastings and giveaways throughout the area.

Wit Wedding at Fitger’s Brewhouse & Tycoons

By on August 12, 2013in bars/restaurants, brewpubs

witweddingThis is pretty rad. The brewers at Fitger’s Brewhouse devised a special edition beer for owner Tim Nelson’s wedding. The beer is a white IPA, aptly called “Wit Wedding.” It clocks in at 5.7% abv and is said to be a medium-bodies spicy, citrusy, hoppy beast with notes of wheat and Belgian yeast esters.

Cartoonist Chris Monroe created a take on American Gothic as the artwork for the beer. Check it out. The beer is on tap right now at the Brewhouse and Tycoons and should be on tap at Burrito Union as well in short order.

Congrats Tim!

Minneapolis Debut of “Beer Hunter” Sunday

By on August 12, 2013in beer education, beer events
beerhunterBeer dorks… if you’re not familiar with the only Michael Jackson that mattered (the English beer writer, not the pop singer with the Peter Pan complex), someone should probably slap you. Jackson wrote a number of influential tomes on the subject of beer and advocated the enjoyment of great beer long before most of us even cared. Jackson was influential and engaging and was a luminary that would give most “beer personalities” a run for their money if he were still alive.
“Michael’s engaging writing literally saved many styles of beer from extinction, and his work inspired an entire generation of brewers to experiment with beer styles from around the world.”
Heavy stuff. In any case, this film documents his personality and his travels, among other things, in the mid-00s. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting the man in person or if you caught him on television, you’ll know his charm. If not, let’s just say that you should check it out this Sunday.
On a side note, Jackson was a fan of Minnesota’s beer, featuring Summit’s Great Northern Porter on the cover of his book “New World Beer Guide,” and singing praises for the long-defunct Sherlock’s Home brewpub (See “Hate the Pun, Love the Pub.“) among others.
Republic at Seven Corners hosts two shows on Sunday, August 18th (2pm and 5:30pm). Tickets are $15. Jackson dealt with Parkinson’s in the latter part of his life and fittingly, proceeds from the show and a silent auction will go to support to support a Parkinson’s charity. Tickets and details below:

http://thefourfirkins.com/events/events-detail.php?id=5927

 

New Label Art from Summit

By on August 8, 2013in breweries

After seeing the artwork for the Union Series as well as the new logo, we figured it wouldn’t be too long before Summit rolled out new labels. No word yet as to when we’ll start seeing these on bottles, but I think they look pretty damn good.

summitepa

No Homebrew Sampling at this Year’s Deer River BBQ & Brew Fest

By on August 7, 2013in beer events, beer laws, homebrew

This year’s Deer River BBQ and Brew Fest will be without one of it’s starring attractions – this year’s homebrew competition will go on, but sampling homebrew to the public will not. We’ve seen issues with sampling homebrew come up for the past few years, and unfortunately this comes as no surprise.

Hello everyone. You may have seen the article in Saturday’s edition of the Grand Rapids Herald-Review that announced we are suspending homebrew public sampling at this year’s event but don’t worry. The homebrew judging event will proceed as planned and beer will be available for sale.

During final preparations for this year’s event it was discovered that Minnesota’s interpretation of current state statutes is that a home brewer or organization cannot give away samples of homebrew to people beyond the brewer’s family, as home brewed beer is not regulated in the same manner of professional breweries. More information will be available at the event Saturday if you would like additional details.

While disappointing, it is a small setback to what is a great event. We have a great lineup of BBQ teams who are ready to pair their low and slow ribs, brisket, chicken and pork with the live music of MESH. Home brewers will compete for prizes and bragging rights as well. Many folks will be camping on the site; BBQ smokers, brewers and their families.

See you on Saturday!

Much like 2010’s Artenbru, this event could very well have two-fold issues. Aside from the interpretation that homebrewer’s can’t share samples with the general public, this is also an event with a ticket price, which very well could be interpreted as payment for beer. Right, wrong or otherwise, this event will be shifting gears this year. What do you think?