In what many have seen as a surprise move, local bicycle makers, Surly (Bikes) have issued a cease and decist order to local beer makers, Surly (Brewing) with charges of Trademark infringement over the name Surly. This came as quite a surprise to me… I thought there was mutual respect between the two companies, though apparently all is not fair with regards to love, bikes, beers and war.

MNBeer.com will be starting a legal defense fund for Surly Brewing. You can send your cash, your credit cards, beer collections 55# sacks of grain to:

MNBeer.com
Aprilfool’s Division
2839 Dumbjoke Street
Ihadto, MN 55426

Happy April Fool’s.

These haven’t been mentioned on the site, so now seems as good a time as ever. Bandana Brewery now has “Sleepy Eye Schwarzbier” on tap, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery has a “Merlot Stout” on cask and Rock Bottom Brewery has “Fire Chief Ale” on tap. Also, on Tuesday, Rock Bottom is having a a chili cookoff…

Tuesday , April 4th 6:30pm
“Great Balls of Fire Chili Cook-off”
$5 Charitable donation and you be the judge of
The Best Firehouse Chili in Minneapolis

-Raffle prizes including

-Silent auction including Beer for a Year and Be a Firefighter for a day

Lots to celebrate on the 7th… Prohibition’s partial repeal, it’s the day after my birthday and Cellars Minnetonka will have a beer tasting that day, among other things…

Hi All
We have good news, Mr. Bred from Chisago Lakes Dist. is coming for beer tasting on April 07 (Friday) 2006.

Time 2.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. Please join us.

Thank you.
Saini & staff

Another beer fest… MNBeer.com is down with that… we like beer, we like charity, hell, we like trees… we’ll even hug some if craft beer is involved!

Tickets are now on sale for a new Springtime beer festival: Arborfest!

Arborfest is a Regional Craft beer tasting featuring all the beers you know and love together under one roof for your enjoyment. Spend time with fellow beer lovers and chat with the brewers about the beers they craft.

Arborfest is Thursday, May 4th from 5:30-9pm.

Purchase tickets online at: www.ticketworks.com

Or purchase in person at Barley John’s Brew Pub, Great Waters Brewing Co., and Town Hall Brewery.

Where: Arborfest will be held on the campus of Macalaster College in the Kagin Commons building. Kagin commons is located between Snelling and Grand right on the Macalaster campus.

Ticket Info: Tickets are $40 and include a commemorative tasting glass, a substantial food spread, music throughout the event, and of course 35+ different beers from 10+ different breweries and brew pubs.

Participating Breweries: Barley Johns Brew Pub, Bell’s, Fitgers Brewhouse, Finnegan’s, Great Waters Brewing Co., Rock Bottom Brewery, Rush River Brewing, Summit Brewing Co., Surly Brewering Co., Town Hall Brewery

Arborfest is a fundraiser to help the Family Tree Clinic of St. Paul with its yearly operating costs. $30 of the ticket price is tax deductable as a charitable donation.

For more information visit the official website:

www.familytreeclinic.org/arborfest/

Brewing for a Cause: 10 dollars, 10 breweries, 3 hours. Join “Brewing for a Cause” on March 30th from 7-10pm @ Whiskey Junction as we help raise funds for The Bridge. Who knew that drinking great beer could help contribute funding to so many people in your community! The Bridge provides homeless and runaway youth in the Twin Cities area with shelter, safety, and the hope for a better future. We’re open 24 hours a day for any youth in crisis, offering a free and safe place to stay, with experienced counselors to address whatever situation landed them on the street. Nearly one thousand young people turn to us for help each year, as they cope with family conflicts, school problems, homelessness, poverty, sexual exploitation, violence, neglect, and abandonment. All our services are free, confidential, and available 24-hours a day.

Grain Belt, Schell, Summit, Gluek, Kronenburg, Bell’s, Breckenridge, Finnegan’s, Boulevard and Newcastle.

Flyer: here.