News & Updates

Tom Thumb Would be Proud – Lift Bridge Mini-Donut Beer

By on August 15, 2013in breweries

lift-bridge-mini-donut-beer-smIf it didn’t sound delicious, I’d call it a gimmick. Our friends at Lift Bridge have produced what is said to be the first-ever mini donut flavored beer. Armed with a stack of Motley Crue albums, some ripped jeans and a sleeveless Iron Maiden t-shirt, brewer Matt Hall toured the country with carnies for months as he honed his recipe and devised a tiny automatic brewhouse to produce this sweet little beer, one pint at a time.

True story. The fruits of the brewery’s labors will be available exclusively at the Ball Park Café.  And though you won’t have to bitch should you throw this beer into your mouth too quickly, drinking a dozen in a sitting will probably kick your ass. Expect a malty sweet sipper that weighs in at about 5% abv. Mini-Donut will be served in a glass rimmed with cinnamon and sugar. Suggest pairing: Mini-donuts. Duh.

Many thanks to the guys at Lift Bridge for not making a corn dog or blooming onion beer. Gah.

Summit State Fair IPA

By on August 14, 2013in bars/restaurants, breweries

Here’s a cool little video featuring Summit Brewing Company brewery and all-around good guy, Jeff Williamson. Jeff and his amazing mustache explain his State Fair-inspired brew. Look for it daily at the International Bazaar and bask in the glory that includes Minnesota ingredients like wild rice, honey, pronto pups corn and Cascade hops from Hippity Hops Farms. And just so it’s hoppy enough for you, they’ve thrown in Magnum, Amarillo, Chinook and Centennial hops, creating a beer that rounds out at 95 IBU and 5.5% abv.

You know what would be awesome? State Fair vendors, are you listening? State Fair IPA beer-battered something on a stick. DO IT! Incidentally, if you’d like to catch Summit at the fair, here are a few dates for your consideration.

• August 22 – Jeff Williamson, brewer of State Fair IPA – Summit Booth at International Bazaar – 1-2:30pm
• August 26 – Meet Founder Mark Stutrud – Summit Booth at International Bazaar – 12-1:30pm
• August 28 – Meet Head Brewer Damian McConn – Summit Booth at International Bazaar – 1:00-2:30pm
• August 30 – Mike Lundell, brewer of Another IPA – Summit Booth at International Bazaar – 11:30-1:00pm
• August 30 – Mark Stutrud (with Ted Marti from Schell’s) – Craft Brewer’s Guild Area in Agriculture Building – 3pm

Harriet Brewing Rauchfest

By on August 13, 2013in beer events, breweries

harriet logoClear your calendars. Harriet Brewing just made plans for you… On Saturday, September 28th, the brewery celebrates beer (duh), art, food and music with the festival known as Rauchfest! This smokin’ event features two stages of musical mystery, ten bands, food trucks a’plenty and local artists.

Want a ticket? Friday is your day… tickets go on sale at noon on August 16th at harietbrewing.com
Tickets Go On Sale Friday, August 16th at Noon at www.harrietbrewing.com

Par for the course, our friends at Harriet will brew a single batch fo Rauchfest, a smokes Oktoberfest lager. And if smoky beers aren’t your thing, fear not as Harriet will have 8 beers on tap as well as food from Tollefson’s Family Pork, AZ Canteen and Potters Pasties.

Musical acts include Boys ‘N The Barrels, Useful Jenkins, Dérobé Dance Band, The Blackberry Brandy Boys, Dead Larry, Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers, Erik Koskinen Band, Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, and more.

General Admission tickets are $10.00 before Sept. 23 and $15.00 week of show. Purchase Tickets at Harriet Brewing or online at www.harrietbrewing.com

Great Lakes Brewing Hits St. Cloud in September

By on August 13, 2013in misc. mn beer

fitzHey St. Cloud, welcome to the party! Ohio’s Great Lakes Brewing Company is coming your way starting September 9th under the wings of  distributor Bernick’s Beverages & Vending. GLBC is currently in both Duluth and the Twin Cities and the company plans to roll out throughout Minnesota in due time.

Expect to see Great Lakes’ regular beers in bottles and on draft as well as their 12-pack sampler. Drink enough and the possibilities are endless! (I went to SCSU. I know that some of you people can drink. There’s a reason that there aren’t many classes on Fridays at the school… or so I hear.)  As we get closer to launch date, look for a variety of events, meet-and-greets, tastings and giveaways throughout the area.

Wit Wedding at Fitger’s Brewhouse & Tycoons

By on August 12, 2013in bars/restaurants, brewpubs

witweddingThis is pretty rad. The brewers at Fitger’s Brewhouse devised a special edition beer for owner Tim Nelson’s wedding. The beer is a white IPA, aptly called “Wit Wedding.” It clocks in at 5.7% abv and is said to be a medium-bodies spicy, citrusy, hoppy beast with notes of wheat and Belgian yeast esters.

Cartoonist Chris Monroe created a take on American Gothic as the artwork for the beer. Check it out. The beer is on tap right now at the Brewhouse and Tycoons and should be on tap at Burrito Union as well in short order.

Congrats Tim!