News & Updates

Welch Village Bakkelyka Brew Music & Craft Beer Festival

By on September 11, 2015in beer events, breweries

Bakka15thSome of you know that I spend my daylight hours working in the world of outdoor sports. Needless to say, I’m always happy when the ourdoors and craft beer cross paths. Here’s yet another instance – our friends at Welch Village are throwing their first annual Bakkelyka Brew Music and Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, October 3rd from 2pm until 9pm. Tickets are $20 online until Sept. 15th and $30 at the gate.

Welch Village promises plenty of craft beer as well as food and music from Travis & Drew, Lisa Wegner & Her Mean Mean Men, Vintage Raggs and Tim Mahoney. Head on down for some beer and dream about the upcoming ski season!

Tickets available at Welch Village’s Main Chalet Ticket Windows and WelchVillage.com.

Fulton HefeWheaties is Available Today

By on August 26, 2015in general beer

hefewheaties

Soooo…. we’re guessing you’ve heard a bit about Fulton’s American Hefeweizen, HefeWheaties. Although no Wheaties were harmed in the crafting of said beer, the beer (just like Wheaties) is composed primarily of wheat. The fine folks at Fulton describe it as an easygoing 4.7% ABV with citrus notes courtesy of Rakau, Galaxy, Mandarina Bavaria, and Sorachi Ace hops.

And today you can try it in Fulton’s taproom starting at 3pm, while supplies last. Fulton will be selling 16 oz. cans of said beer for $5. And just so we’re clear, those full cans are for consumption at the brewery only, due to state law. If you’re a can collector, you can certainly bring your empties home though…

In mid- to late-September you’ll find this beer in retail locations in the greater Twin Cities metro. It’s a relatively small run, and will likely sell out quickly. You won’t find this beer outside of Minnesota, on draft at Fulton’s taproom or any other outlet or in growlers. Just cans, man.

 

Surly Rhubarb Farmhouse Ale at Chipotle Cultivate Festival Saturday

By on August 21, 2015in beer events, breweries, Surly Brewing Co.
Cultivate

Brewer at Surly Brewing Jerrod Johnson and Chipotle’s Manager of National Events Scott Robinson

No doubt you’ve heard that Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival is returning to Loring Park on Saturday. And once again, they’ve teamed up with our friends from Surly Brewing Company to brew an exclusive seasonal offering for the event.

In addition to celebrating all things good (i.e. food, music, beer and ideas), the event will include the “Cultivate Farmnouse Ale,” a Saison brewed with Minnesota barley and rhubarb. If you’d like to try it, we suggest you hit up the Cultivate festival on Saturday between 11am and 7pm. Otherwise you’ll be out of luck.

“For festival goers, Cultivate celebrates great local artisans in both food and drink. The talents of Head Brewer Todd Haug and his team at Surly perfectly exemplify that for the great city of Minneapolis,” said Scott Robinson, manager of national events for Chipotle. “The Farmhouse Ale was so well received last year that we tapped Todd’s team to create another unique beer that appeals to craft beer fans and highlights the great ingredients of Minneapolis.”

This year’s beer includes traditional Belgian malts, Slovenian hops, Minnesota rhubarb and barley grown and malted in Minnesota. We’re told to expect spicy clove notes thanks to the yeast and a rounded malt backbone to offset the tartness of the rhubarb. Wanna’ try it? You’ll be able to grab this beer as well as other great craft beers and wines from nearly a dozen local breweries and wineries in the Tasting Hall.

The event is free and you’ll have the opportunity to check out cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music, local food and other interactive fun. Check it out. To learn more about the the 2015 Cultivate Minneapolis Festival, visit http://chipotlecultivate.com/cities/minneapolis/.

rhubarb

Return to the Land of 10,000 Beers

By on August 20, 2015in breweries, brewpubs

State Fair FlightFoot longs. The Dairy Barn. Ye Old Mill. People watching. Seed art. Yard sticks. Fleet Farm t-shirts. Motley Crue and Whitesnake blaring in the Midway. Things on sticks… sometimes ridiculous things on sticks, in fact. Deep-fried everything. More people watching. Aaah, the Minnesota State Fair.

Oh, and beer. Local beer. The important stuff.

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is bringing the Land of 10,000 Beers back to the Fair for another run, and we couldn’t be happier. Run, don’t walk to the Agriculture/Horticulture Building when the Minnesota State Fair opens next Thursday. Nearly 200 beers from 54 breweries await you. And for the first time this year, you’ll find 10 brewpubs represented at the Fair, thanks to a new Minnesota law that allows them to pour at the State Fair.

Once again fairgoers will have the option to choose from various flights of beer representing the Minnesota craft beer scene. For $10 you’ll get four (5 oz.) samples. Flights include Belgian & “Sweeter” beers, Lighter, Darker and Hoppier as well as a Minnesota Mix and Brewpub flight. We’ll take one of each, please!

“The Minnesota craft beer scene continues to flourish with the addition of new breweries and brewpubs and the creation of exciting and various styles of beers produced by the state’s brewers,” says Dan Schwarz, president of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. “The State Fair is an ideal spot to celebrate and discover craft beer to support what is being made and poured here in Minnesota.”

If you’ve never visited the Fair, perhaps this is your year. If you’ve never visited the Land of 10,000 Beers, please don’t miss it. Be sure to sample some beer, check out some educational programs and chat with a brewer or two.

 Other Highlights & Changes

  • Daily education programs — includes presentations ranging in topics from the brewing process, to the history of beer art to beer tourism and more. Programs are 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, and at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends. The full schedule will be posted at mncraftbrew.org next week.
  • Brew-cation Destination Wall  — helps visitors map out a tour to taste Minnesota craft beer.
  • Breweriana display — chronicles the history and culture of beer in Minnesota.
  • Art Gallery — features local artists’ beer-inspired art.
  • Brewing Process — posters teach attendees about how different styles of beer are brewed.
  • Pay by card — For the first time, beer flights and merchandise can be purchased with credit/debit cards.
  • Advanced purchase — Visitors can fly to their flights by purchasing beers in advance online and then accessing the express lane at the exhibit: http://www.tempotickets.com/10000beers

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