Category: homebrew

Vine Park Update

By on November 25, 2007in beer stores, homebrew

Got an update from Vine Park recently. I cut and paste the beer-relevant stuff. (It also reminded me that giving someone a Vine Park gift certificate for the holiday season is a good way to introduce friends or family to homebrewing. It was one of the best Christmas presents I ever received, along side a homebrew kit from Northern Brewer. Changed. My. Life. But I digress.)

We would like to thank all of our customers for a wonderful year. Every day we get to come to the brewery and help an incredible group of fun-loving people make beer & wine. You make it easy to look forward to each day at the brewery. Thanks!

Andy, Dan, Harley, Katie

Bavarian Beer Trip. We braved the highest peak, the biggest party, the smokiest beers, and more. Read about the adventure and see photos of all the fun. Story and photos are here.

Recipe Comparison Chart. The #1 request of our customers we can’t do. Giving samples is illegal.
The #2 request is “can I have a copy of your recipe comparison chart?” And now you can! We have added it as a downloadable file from our Recipe webpage. To view the file you will need the free Adobe Reader program. Comparison charts here.

The Onion’s Amber Waters Home Brew Contest

By on November 15, 2007in breweries, brewpubs, homebrew

Update: For all of you with your panties in a bunch, please note that I just got a call from the Onion and you’ll be happy to note that you only need to submit two beers and it’ll be BJCP sanctioned. Adam Stern is involved with the judging. They’ll also be having a corresponding event at Town Hall on Tues., Dec. 18th at 7:00pm.

Details:
Bring a home brewed six pack by December 18th to the Onion, 212 3rd Ave. North, #334, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

Prizes?
-An autographed copy of Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota by Doug Hoverson.

-10 cases of beer from Minnesota breweries including: Summit, Gluek’s Schell’s, Grain Belt, Brau Brothers, Town Hall, Great Waters, The herkimer, Flat Earth and Surly.

-$50 gift certificate to Northern Brewer.

Commentary:
There’s been a bit of talk about this one among local homebrewers, both with enthusiasm and a healthy dose of skepticism. It sounds like fun and the prizes are certainly good, however a six pack is a lot of precious homebrew to give up for a contest. I’m not sure if the Onion staff knows what their up for, given the size of Minnesota’s homebrewing community. Six beers per entry is a lot of beer, and no doubt the judges will be drunk and tired by the time they’re finished.

There’s also a bit of curiosity among brewers as to what will constitute a winner. I’m assuming it’s just “best beer,” sort of a “best of show.” It doesn’t sound like an easy task, though that opinion comes from a beer nerd. From what I understand, local BJCP judges haven’t been asked to take part, either.

And then, of course, the prizes. 10 cases of local beer sounds great and that certainly makes sense for the breweries, but what about the brewpubs? A case of growlers perhaps? Count me in.

Perhaps the Onion needs some “celebrity” local beer nerds as judges? I know five local beer bloggers that consume their fair share of local beer! Ahem.

A (mostly) modest proposal…

By on November 8, 2007in breweries, brewpubs, homebrew, misc. mn beer

Note: I started writing this piece on Saturday afternoon after stopping by Midwest. My visit to Midwest, coupled with a visit with Dale from Lake Superior Brewing Co. the weekend before (not to mention conversations with other brewers) reminded me just how important it is – now more than ever – to support your local breweries, brewpubs and homebrew shops. Seeing this article in the Pioneer Press was refreshing – people need to know that this is a big deal.

MNBeer readers are a mixed bag, so for some of you, this comes as news and others are all-too-aware of the hop shortage that is affecting breweries, brewpubs, homebrew shops and homebrewers. A weekend visit to Midwest Supplies found their normally-full freezers fairly picked over. The same thing is happening with our favorite varieties over in St. Paul at Northern Brewer as well. Prices on bulk hops for homebrewers from sources such as HopsDirect and Freshops have (or will) rise significantly. Less acreage (or yield, for that matter) = less hops. It’s bad. Homebrew shops have been forced to limit the number of hops that they sell to individuals. Newer and smaller breweries are scrambling to find hops. I’ve even heard stories of larger breweries outside of Minnesota that will be using 3-4 year old hops this year.

Malt prices are on the rise as well. The outlook for beer isn’t as rosy as one might like it to be, and as much as I hate to say it, some of the little guys will likely get pushed out of the business before this all settles out.

So what do we do?

Support your local.

Nearly a year ago, I attempted to limit my craft brew intake to Minnesota beers and to whatever might be local when I traveled outside of Minnesota. I was largely successful barring the occasional Belgian brew or domestic micro. In light of everything, I’m planning on trying this again and I’m hoping that some of you will join me as well. It is my sincere wish that not a single Minnesota brewpub, microbrewery or homebrew shop bites the dust. And though I can occasionally drink for two (my liver disagrees), in order to make even the slightest difference, I can’t be the only one doing this.

Drink Minnesota beer. Keep Minnesota brewing. We’ve got some great beer here in Minnesota and I’d like it to stay that way. If you must drink beer from outside of Minnesota, please drink beer from regional and microbreweries and drink it in places that support (Minnesota) craft brewing… bars such as the Blue Nile, Buster’s, Acadia Cafe, Stub and Herb’s, the Muddy Pig, etc., etc.

The people that run and work in the homebrew shops, breweries, brewpubs and local bars are our friends as well as our gateway to quality fermented beverages. Let’s treat them well and thank them for all of the work they’ve done to bring great craft beer to Minnesota. Drink Minnesota beer.

Let’s keep our locals strong! Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll finish my pint of Summit Winter and go to bed.

Drink locally, drink early, drink often!

News from Vine Park

By on September 11, 2007in beer stores, breweries, homebrew

Got an Email update from Vine Park today. Here’s the beer-related info. More info of course at www.vinepark.com.

A huge thank you goes out to all of you for making this the busiest summer on record at Vine Park!

The custom wine opportunity in July has come and gone but the wines are silently aging all over the area. This was such a hit, we are already planning how to offer more types of wines and to make it easier to get everyone a reserved spot.

And the Belgian recipes in August again drew crowds. This year we offered a series of Belgian Brew Clubs in addition to the custom brewing option and this sold out in record time.

We have a few new things in the works; only some of which are detailed in this email. And to update all of you asking about the growlers; we have been so busy brewing we paused in our efforts until we resolved one issue. Now that we are past that, we intend to work with the City to finish what we started.

Please don’t worry, you will hear from us just as soon as we can offer our first Growlers to you.

WOW! Again, we thank you for your patronage.

Andy & Dan

Brew Club
Time to get the beer fridge refilled and just in time Vine Park is starting our special seasonal mixes.

Autumn Mix kicks off on Sept 12th with just four nights of brewing. Get those traditional rich & delicious beers of autumn!

Winter Mix always fills fast so we’ve set aside 5 (!) Brew Clubs starting Nov 21st. This mix is chock full of powerful & tasty beverages to keep you warm this winter.

Re-Opening on Mondays
Starting Monday, Oct 15th you can brew beer & make wines again at Vine Park.

Just in time for the annual Fall rush to brew for football season & holiday social events, Dan will be back from Bavaria and with a full crew of Brew Coaches we can again handle six days of brewing and wine making.

Check our on line reservation system or give us a call at 651 – 228 – 1355.