Category: brewpubs

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

Barley John’s Beer Release: Winter Ale

By on February 15, 2007in beer events, brewpubs

Barley John’s is having a beer release party for their newest offering, Winter Ale, on President’s Day, 2-19-2007:

Winter Ale (7.8%abv): A hearty and warming British Ale, this annual seasonal brew is sure to distract you from the cold outside. We harvested our Fresh Cascade Hop flowers from the patio, dried them and then used them to finish this beer. We also tossed in our traditional Winter Spice blend featuring subtle hints of fennel and caraway. A complex yet delicate presentation of flavors – best enjoyed when allowed to warm a bit.

Let the Herkimer Take You to Bockfest

By on February 6, 2007in breweries, brewpubs

Here’s another option for a safe and sober ride to and from Bockfest. Like I mentioned the other day, The Herkimer is also planning on chartering a bus to Bockfest. A couple of cool things of note with this option is that they’re offering free beer on the bus and they’re in Uptown which may come in handy if you live in Minneapolis or western suburbs. In any case, here are the important details:

The cost will be $50 a person, which includes:
1) Breakfast
2) Coach bus to and from the Bockfest in New Ulm
3) Admission to the Fest
4) Free Beer on the Bus Ride

Breakfast is a buffet at the Herkimer at 10 am, with the bus to leave
shortly thereafter.

The bus should be back by 7 pm.

**Here’s the important part: We need a minimum of 35 people to make this
economically feasible, and we’re still a bit short. What we need are names
of people who will commit to go, assuming we make our minimum number. (Based on response so far, I’d say chances are pretty good we’ll run the bus.)

If you would definitely go on the bus, either email me with your name and
the number of people in your group, or call the brewery between 12-4 at
612-821-0101. We’ll let you know as soon as we make the minimum, or next
Monday (2/12) if we don’t.

Cheers,

David Hartmann
Brewmaster
Herkimer Brewing Co.
dave@theherkimer.com
612-821-0101

Town Hall Beer Release: Hop Attack

By on February 6, 2007in beer events, brewpubs

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery is bringing the hops next week…

It’s snowing!!!! We better release another beer.

Monday 2/12 we will release “Hop Attack”, a fine American ale that is all about American hops. This beer has got great hop flavor and aroma yet is not overly bitter. I think you hop fans out there will be very happy.

Hope you all had fun at the chili cook-off. Thanks to all that entered. Congrats to Sam Miller for 1st prize, Jen Hoffschulte & Sally Johnson (tie) for 2nd.

Still have some openings for Valentines Dinner. Call to save your spot today.

Cheers,
Mike

Brewery & Brewpub Legislation: Are You Aware?

By on January 31, 2007in beer laws, breweries, brewpubs

This one seems to be hitting people by surprise, so Minnesota breweries and brewpubs take note:

SF0201

Relating to liquor; modifying the regulations of off-sales by brewpubs and small brewers; permitting breweries to provide samples of products on premises to individuals touring the brewery

If I read it correctly, it’s a modification to our “growler” law in Minnesota that would allow brewpubs to sell their beer in 750ml bottles as well. I don’t really think that this is the best language (I’d rather see a range set by volume of liquid, if anything), but it might be a nice possibility for Minnesota brewpubs.

On the other hand, I’m not so sure about the following addition:

(c) A brewer may provide samples of its own products on its premises to persons touring the brewery in a quantity of less than 100 milliliters of malt liquor per variety per person.

As you probably know, people have been sampling beer at breweries for decades. And while our Minnesota breweries no longer give out samples in the quantities that Grain Belt did in the old days, I have to wonder if we really need to legislate things in this manner… Local breweries do a good job self-regulating their sampling as it is… the same would go for Minnesota wineries. I guess I’m a little confused about the necessity to add this last line to the legislation.

In any case, I talked to a couple of brewers who knew nothing about the bill, and I expect it’ll come as a bit of a surprise to most people in the Minnesota brewing community. Senator Bakk told me that the request came from one of his constituents in Two Harbors. And though I won’t name names, I’m curious as to whether or not there’s something brewing (brewpub? brewery?) up in Two Harbors.

Anyway, keep your eye on this, and share your two cents with your representatives on this bill. Thanks to Eric for the tip.