Category: general beer

Minnesota Monthly: The Best in Summer Brews

By on March 27, 2007in breweries, brewpubs, general beer

I saw this in the April issue of Minnesota Monthly and thought I’d share. It’s always good to see the Minnesota breweries and brewpubs get some press. Though I don’t agree with all of their beer choices (i.e. I would have listed Summit Scandia rather then their hefe), there is definitely some good information. Unfortunately, three things stand out in the article that just don’t work for me:

1. Where is Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery? Every other brewpub in the Twin Cities was mentioned and strangely enough, one of the most well-regarded brewpubs in the city gets no mention.

2. Though they’re brand-spankin’ new, it would have been nice to see St. Paul’s Flat Earth Brewing included.

3. Amstel light sticks out like a sore thumb. All of the other beers/breweries/brewpubs that are mentioned are located in Minnesota – and are in alphabetical order. …and then Amstel Light shows up. 🙂 Not surprisingly, they have a full-page ad within the same section.

MNBeer Gathering…

By on March 24, 2007in bars/restaurants, beer events, general beer

We’ve talked about having a MNBeer gathering in the past, but things just haven’t come together… until now, of course. So here’s the deal… since many of you loyal MNBeeries are also involved with BeerAdvocate to one extent or another (I’m actually the MN & Mpls./St. Paul guide), we’re going to “borrow” the Beer Advocate Spring Thaw get-together. So… meet up with other MNBeer geeks and Beer Advocate beer nerds at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis on April 7th around 7pm.

2027 Franklin Ave. E., Minneapolis

Incidentally, April 6th is my birthday, so I’ll gladly allow you to buy me a beer!

That could get me in trouble…

PedalPub Update

By on March 24, 2007in general beer

THE PEDALPUB ARRIVES NEXT WEEK!
The excitement is palpable!  The PedalPub arrives in the United States from the Netherlands by boat on March 27, and will arrive in the Twin Cities on March 28 or 29.

LAUNCH PARTY, and YOU’RE INVITED!
When: Saturday, March 31st , Noon-3pm
Where: Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, at 6th Ave SE and Main Street,
(by the entrance of the Stone Arch Bridge)
We will have free rides on the PedalPub, free hot dogs and sodas (as supplies last), and lots of fun!  Come help us celebrate!  To ride, you must be 18 or older, have a photo ID, and allow us to use your likeness in our marketing materials.  We’ll be taking LOTS of pictures!

MEET THE INVENTORS!
Inventors of the Fietscafe (PedalPub) Zwier and Henk Van Laar, from Stroe, Netherlands are coming to Minneapolis to see the PedalPub off to a great start!  Come and meet them!

PEDALPUB TOURS 10% OFF IN APRIL!
To thank you for all the help you all have given us, we will be offering PedalPub tours for 10% off in April (rides must be taken in the month of April).  This offer is TRANSFERRABLE, so if you want to have a work outing, or an outing with some other group you’re involved with, let your boss or organization President know about it.  Schedule your tour online at http://www.pedalpub.com – first come, first served!

YOUR MARCH ASSIGNMENT
It is possible that portions of future PedalPubs may be fabricated in the United States.  Do you have any contacts people who own woodwork or metal fabrication that might be interested in working with Fietscafe to do this?  Send an email to: info@pedalpub.com

See you NEXT SATURDAY!

– Al and Eric, Managing Partners
PedalPub, LLC
http://www.pedalpub.com
info@pedalpub.com
952-703-9000

And the Debate Goes On…

By on March 5, 2007in general beer

There have been some interesting discussions going on around the web with regards to Beer Advocate magazine’s “Extreme Beers” issue, particularly in the Brewer’s Association forums. The editors of BA and Lew Bryson seem disagree wholeheartedly with folks such as Ashton Lewis (BYO‘s technical editor and Master Brewer at Springfield Brewing Co.) with regards to just what “beer advocacy” is. I have a lot of respect for both Bryson’s writing as well as Lewis’, and I suspect that the real answer to the question of “beer adocacy” lies somewhere in a grey zone between the two. In any case, there are some interesting opinions being expressed. Who is right?  Who knows…