News & Updates

Belg-a-Rama #6

By on April 27, 2011in bars/restaurants, beer events

The Blue Nile is pleased to announce the start of Belg-a-Rama #6 TODAY through, well, until the beers run out. Once more, six great Belgian beers ( well, five, and one great Dutch Belgian-style ale) take over half the taps for one great week! Get a sample set of 3 4-ounce pours for $9. (Al is sorry to say that as they get rarer and rarer brews, the price goes up!) Choose from:

Quadrupel: St. Bernardus Abt. 12 and La Trappe Quad.
Double witbier: Jan de Lichte from Glazen Toren
Saison: Dupont!
Belgian strong pale ale: Collaboration between St. Feuillien and Ventura, Califorina’s Green Flash Brewery, Biere de l’Amitie.
Tripel: Dulle Teve, “the Mad Bitch”, from De Dolle Brouwers, “the Mad Brewers” of Esen, Belgium!

Firkin Friday @ Grumpy’s Downtown

By on April 27, 2011in bars/restaurants, beer events, cask beer

Chisago Lakes [sorry guys, not Hohenstein’s] is sending a special firkin to Grumpy’s Downtown this Friday for their regular Firkin Friday.

As summer approaches (albeit not quickly enough for most), that means a hold on some firkins until the snow rolls in. (They just don’t travel well in the warmer months I guess). So this is one of the last English firkins coming into town for awhile.

And just what is it? A perfect cask beer, the tasty Bitter and Twisted IPA from Harviestoun Brewery. It will tapped Friday at NOON, and Grumpy’s usually some free munchies while they last.

MN Craft Beer Week Homebrew Contest

By on April 26, 2011in homebrew

In celebration of Minnesota Craft Beer Week, we are having a home-brewed beer contest to showcase American styles of beer. Entries will be accepted between April 18 – May 7 at both Northern Brewer and Midwest Supplies. Each entry is $7/two bottles (one entry per style). This contest is open to non-professional home brewers and Minnesota residents.

The contest is limited to styles:

1A – Lite American Lager
1B – Standard American Lager
1C – Premium American Lager
2C – Classic American Pilsner
4A – Dark American Lager
6A – Cream Ale
6B – Blonde Ale
6D – American Wheat or Rye
7B – California Commons
10A – American Pale Ale
10B – American Amber Ale
10C – American Brown Ale
13E – American Stout
14B – American IPA
14C – Imperial IPA
19C – American Barley Wine

There will be many prizes awarded with Best of Show being the opportunity to brew with Mike Hoops at Town Hall Brewery. Please visit our website for more information and to sign up your entry: www.mncraftbeerweekcontest.com

This event is registered with the AHA/BJCP and will be judged on Saturday, May 14th with the location to be determined. If you are interested in judging or assisting with the contest, please sign up on the website until May 7th. We strongly encourage judges of all experience levels to help out. (Those interested in helping who have little to no experience will be paired with experienced BJCP judges.)

If you have any questions, please email me at: gera_latour@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Gera Exire LaTour
Contest Organizer

P.S. Please pass this on to those who might be interested.

Mark Your Calendars! BrauFest is June 3 and 4

By on April 26, 2011in beer events, breweries

Hey Everyone,

It’s that time of year again, as we prepare for BrauFest in early June here in Lucan! As always, there will be camping right on brewery grounds friday and saturday night. Homebrewers are encouraged to bring beer to pass around the campfire on friday night!

Saturday we’ll have live music here at the brewery, with an open house and brewery tours throughout the day. Cannery Row and Smitty & the Sound will play all afternoon so stop out and check out the hopyard while you’re here. Who knows, maybe the weather will actually be good this year!

The BrauHaus will again host a street dance on Saturday Night featuring Roxbury Drive – as always, it will be a blast. Per Lucan City Ordinance, there will be beer wagons everywhere, including the city park and BrauHaus.

On Friday, May 13th, we’ll kick off Minnesota Craft Beer Week at Stanley’s in northeast Minneapolis at 6pm with a firkin of oak-aged Forgotten Flem! Looking forward to this, see you there!

Also, on May 20th I will be speaking at the U of M’s 9th annual Beer Tasting. This is a great event, and this is a fantastic opportunity to check out the Campus Club as it is open to non-members. Details here.

Speaking of MN Craft Beer Week, there are many great retailers that work hard to promote Minnesota-made Beer; two are mentioned previously. Be sure to support these great establishments, and ask for Minnesota Beer Wherever you go!!