Nice little ditty at wcco.com swooning about the top 10 Minnesota beers favored by author Cole Premo. He admits the list is subjective and far from complete, but its a good conversation starter.

In no particular order, he suggests:

• Summit EPA
• Surly Furious
• Brau Bros Ring Neck Braun Ale
• Mantorville Smoked Porter
• Grainbelt Premium
• Lift Bridge Farm Girl
• Lake Superior Oatmeal Stout
• Flat Earth Angry Planet Pale Ale
• Cold Spring John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale
• Finnegans Irish Amber

Read the full story here, and leave your own suggestions.

Three years ago, I put out a request for more writers. We had 2-3 writers at that time and I took on the bulk of the work. I was trying to maintain a taplist for local craft beer bars (which would be an absolute nightmare today), grow the site’s readership and introduce Minnesotans to the diversity of craft beer in their state. Lofty goals. In any case, Mag and Kris were amongst the very first to volunteer.

I caught their passion for local craft beer immediately. Like myself, they love great beer, love sharing great beer and don’t take themselves too seriously. They’re fun, dynamic and totally plugged into the craft beer world. For MNBeer, they worked tirelessly to gather local beer news & events while still finding time to drink beer with unmatched fervor!

Seriously, Mag and Kris, I thank you, MNBeer thanks you and the local craft beer community heartily thanks you!

We wish you well!

Prosit!
A votre sante!
Cheers!
Skaal!
Salud!

**Update**

The brewery list is finalized and current, the musical entertainment is posted and it’s supposed to be a gorgeous day for drinking beer outside! Checkout the St. Paul Summer Beer Fest site for all you need to know!

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I was looking at the calendar, realizing my in-laws will be in town in eight days, and then Father’s Day is in 10 days, which means the 2nd annual St. Paul Summer Beer Fest is almost here! Just in time for the arrival of my wife’s family Father’s Day!

The brewery list keeps growing, with new ones added every week. The boys at Chop Liver, LLC are updating the “notes” section of their Facebook page weekly with the additions, and we’ll post here when the list is complete.

A few tickets are still remaining so get yours today!

Snow-blower stored?  Check.  Patio furniture dusted off?  Check.  Mower blade sharpened?  Check?  Aloe vera purchased in anticipation of your first Minnesota-tan?  Check.  Now what to drink?

Michael Agnew has the answer in his Strib Lifestyle piece.

Here’s a story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (found on the Pioneer Press website) about a beer-friendly hoody designed by Beer City Promotions.  I think Ryan outta get these damn things in MNBeer’s store ASAP, don’t you?  These’d be perfect for use at sporting events, funerals, your kids’ play, exercising, you name it.