Apparently Pawlenty has signed the “basement brewing” legislation into law, according to the Associated Press via the Star Tribune. However, as previously explained more clearly here, don’t go gettin’ all excited about brewing up some beer in your basement for sale. That’s not to say if you’re making some pretty tasty brews that you couldn’t share some with MNBeer though.

SSBF Tickets go on-sale at noon today.  Get them here:

http://www.stpaulsummerbeerfest.com/Tickets

No, we’re not pandering for your votes (though we’ll take ’em)… we’ve won two awards in our four year history and think it’s better to share, BUT we still think you should get out the vote and make sure your favorites are represented. Get out and vote for your favorite food and beer folks. Here are just some of the categories to attack… favorite local blog, favorite local website, best place for a first date, best State Fair food [I’m suggesting Summit on a stick], best Tweeter, best liquor store, best happy hour, best neighborhood bar and… uh, best Irish bar. For the latter, I’m suggesting you vote for your brewpub of choice. Cheers!

MNBeer is nothing, if not concerned for the mental and physical well-being of its readers.  That’s why we take great pains to bring to you the most current, critical news of the local craft beer world.  From time to time we need to ignore our provincial bias and share momentous news from outside our borders.  Consider this a Public Service Announcement.

Check out this Associated Press story shared in the Pioneer Press regarding a new “smash-proof pint glass meant to reduce drinking injuries.”  I especially like the quote, “Glassing causes horrific injuries and has a lasting and devastating impact on victims and their families.”  Hell, things have apparently gotten so bad that they’ve coined a term for it – glassing.  Outfrickenstanding!  And then there is this line, “Officials swore the country would save billions in health care costs by coming up with a glass that doesn’t double as a lethal weapon.”  Hell, maybe we don’t need health care reform.

I figure this P.S.A. outta earn MNBeer a Nobel Peace Prize, so go ahead and begin lobbying The Nobel Foundation.

So you like to drink good beer. And maybe you’ve been to a beer pairing dinner or two. Now maybe you’re looking for something else. How about taking a class with Certified Cicerone Michael Agnew? Check out these classes offered through Cooks of Crocus Hill:

ABCs of Beer – Friday, March 26th 6 – 8 pm, $55
Smoked, Grilled and Sauced: A Wine and Beer Pairing Experience – Friday, April 30th 6 – 9 pm, $75
Cheese and Ale: Pairing Beer and Cheese – Monday, May 17th 6 – 8 pm, $55