All posts by Andrew Schmitt

Andrew is just a guy that likes beer. You can usually find him on the twitters or spending time with his family.
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Video: Getting to know Live The Dream Brewing Co

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After a decade of home brewing college pals Jem Hale and Blake Verdon are ready to start making their brewing dreams a reality in Hopkins, MN.

I cornered co-founder Blake, grabbed a beverage, and set about getting to know Live The Dream Brewing Co. (LTD). There is more to their story than a cheeky name and a prime suburban location. We talked about their unique inspection experience, local ordinances, future plans, beer recipes, and more.

Their Grand Opening is set for this Saturday, June 7, at 12pm.

Info:
Live The Dream Brewing Co.
LTD Brewing Co white Square logo
Website: http://www.ltdbrewing.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LTDBrewing
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LTDBrewing
Address: 715 Mainstreet Unit 5, Hopkins, MN 55343

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Inaugural Posters and Pints art show, beer tasting, and fundraiser

Posters and Pints is an art show, beer tasting and fundraiser. This inaugural event to showcase the booming Northeast Minneapolis Arts and Brewery district will be held at Uppercut Boxing Gym on Saturday, June 21st, from 6-­10pm.

Posters and Pints was conceived to bring art, craft and awareness to the community.

Proceeds from the ticket sales, and a portion of poster sales, help fund Art Buddies‘ mission to provide urban youth a mentorship with a creative professional.

Exclusive beer-­themed posters, from top creatives will be on sale for $30. Artists will debut original numbered posters (30 to 100 copies each).

Artists: Cory Angen, Drew Brockton, Marie Bushbaum & Sara Lintner, Chank, CHUX, Kyle Coughlin, Ian Davies, Brian Geihl, Abby Haddican, Erik Hamline, Kate Hartman, Todd Piper Hauswirth, Joyce, Andy Kiekhafer, Chad Kirsebom, Jeremy Krzmarzick, Josh “Jawsh” Lemke, Joe Monnens, Not Swords, Matt Oelkers, Ayako Junko Osaki, Jamie Paul, Jay Rasgorshek, Sarah Schiesser, Nic Skrade, Peter Smith, Studio on Fire, Derek Sussner, Adam Turman, Anne Ulku, Derek Wallen, Jason Walz, Peter Wartman , Dan West, Maranatha Wilson and David Witt “DWITT”.

The brewery partners include 612Brew, Dangerous Man Brewing Company, Day Block Brewing Company, Indeed Brewing Company, Lift Bridge Brewing Company, Steel Toe Brewing and Summit Brewing Company. Craft Sodas will be provided by Nordeast Brewers Alliance.

Vendors will have food available for purchase including Aki’s Bakery (German-style pretzles), Borough (bringing a take on their Parlour burger, recently voted “best fancy burger” by the City Pages), GastroTruck (baked goods using spent­grain from brewing) and Natedogs (with beer-­infused mustard, voted one of the best food trucks in America).

This is a ticketed, 21+ event, tickets go on sale May 1st. Tickets are available online at www.postersandpints.com.

Two purchase options are available:

General Admission ($20) includes a take­home pint glass which allows for an evening of minnesota craft beer sampling (limited to 3 ounce pours).

Designated Driver ($5) allows non­drinker to attend for reduced cost and enjoy craft sodas provided by Nordeast Brewers Alliance.

The Uppercut Boxing Gym is located at 1324 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413

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Northbound Brewpub announces patio picture contest

Every Minnesotan is familiar with the horror and tragedy we call the winter season here in our lovely home. That is why when the weather turns warm we carry our beers to the decks, docks, and patios to soak up as much Vitamin D as we can. Mosquitoes be damned, it is nice out and we are drinking on the patio!

Jamie and Amy at Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub know they have one of the nicest patios around, and they want to prove it with a photo contest. Every week this summer they will giveaway a $20 giftcard to a lucky participant that tags their picture with #NorthboundPatioPic and shares it on social media.

Good luck, you’ll have competition!

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Video: A perfect Pint’s Beer Guide to the Heartland

Andrew talks with Certified Cicerone® Michael Agnew about his quest to profile 236 breweries in his new book from University of Illinois Press, A perfect Pint’s Beer Guide to the Heartland.


A Perfect Pint’s Beer Guide to the Heartland official release party is at Town Hall Brewery on Monday, May 26th.  Michael will have copies of the travel guide for sale and autograph. Every book comes with a voucher for a pint from the brewery.

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Saint Paul Summer Beer Fest breweries have been announced

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Saint Paul Summer Beer Fest breweries have been announced for 2014. There some exciting new additions, some are from out of town, some from your own back yard.

Of course there are a bunch of great breweries and beer to try. Just a few of the participating breweries of note include:

Recent additions to the Minnesota beer scene. Ballast Point hails from California and is known for their legendary Sculpin IPA.

Minnesota’s first gluten free brewery. Tastes so good you won’t believe it is gluten free.

Paul Johnston helms the brewing wheel at this Minneapolis brewpub. Day Block is fast becoming famous for their small batch brews like their rotating Wit series, or Northern Discovery IPA, as well as their creative pizzas. Somebody find out if they are bringing bacon flights, please.

Founded by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø in 2010, Evil Twin Brewing is nomadic or “Gypsy” brewery operating out of Denmark. Some people used to call this business model contract brewing. It doesn’t matter what you call it when the beer is good.

The last time I was in Chicago to see Iron Maiden (Why don’t they ever come to Minnesota?) I brought back several packs of Finch’s. The Golden Wing Blonde Ale is perfect for crushing on warm summer days. The Black IPA should also be on your list of beers to try. Continue reading Saint Paul Summer Beer Fest breweries have been announced →

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Special Interests and Crony Politics Stop Sunday Growler Sales for Minnesota Brewers

The initiative to legalize Sunday liquor sales, a perennial issue at the Minnesota legislature, has once again met defeat at the hands of Minnesota lawmakers. Advocates for repeal tried a different approach for this year by offering a an array of bills ranging from full repeal to growler (64oz jugs) sales at qualifying small Minnesota breweries and brewpubs.

Sunday growler sales were adopted by both House and Senate Commerce Committees with little discussion. It appeared there would be some small progress toward Sunday liquor sales. Then, having taken no part in the public process, lobbyists for the  powerful Joint Council 32 Teamsters Union stepped in. (Read)

Former Teamster and Senate Tax Committee Chairman Sen. Rod Skoe (D-Clearwater), pulled the bill into the Senate Tax committee. The tax hearing, which had exceptionally short notice to the public, lasted less than 5 minutes and resulted in a the Senate version of the liquor bill without growlers. The full Senate added the Sunday growler provision back to the bill the very next day only to have the bill’s author, Sen Jim Metzen (D-South St. Paul), table the bill. (Read)

Faced with a liquor bill that contained several politically important provisions, including beer sales at TCF Stadium, House author Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights) took the controversial step of amended a gambling amendment. The gambling (now liquor bill) amendment included all the previously approved liquor provisions except Sunday growlers. But, because of House rules no amendments further could be offered. (Read) Rep Atkins tried to justify the unusual procedures by shifting blame to the Senate. In reality the Senate passed a liquor bill with Sunday growlers provisions, and with bipartisan support. (Video)

The un-amendable liquor bill put members of the House in an awkward situation. Representatives were left with no opportunity to discuss or amend the bill on behalf of their constituents. After much discussion about rules and procedures members voted to accept the now gambling/liquor omnibus bill as it was presented, without Sunday growler sales.

“The public’s voice was silenced today. The process utilized to bring the Omnibus Liquor bill forward lacked transparency and prohibited the ability of any member to offer an amendment on liquor issues—even though Minnesotans overwhelmingly support Sunday growler sales,” said Rep. Loon, a staunch supporter of changing the state’s outdated liquor laws. “By excluding the growler sales provision, House DFL leaders are hampering entrepreneurial activity, keeping businesses and their jobs from growing in our state.”

The new House version of the omnibus liquor bill was sent to the Senate where it passed. From there it went to Governor Dayton for a signature. Governor Dayton signed it into law earlier this week.

In a press conference last week. Sen Reinert said Sunday liquor sales is now a campaign issue. House Deputy Minority Leader Loon agreed, and a recent editorial in the Post Bulletin (Read) certainly echoes the sentiment.

No doubt Minnesotans across the state are angry. The crony politics that kept Sunday growlers, a very small Sunday liquor sales compromise, from passing have shown opposition isn’t really concerned with Mom & Pop stores after all.

The real tragedy is that Minnesota politicians that voted against Sunday growlers also voted to stifle a growing a industry. The craft brewing industry in Minnesota now accounts for some 8,000 jobs and $80 million in revenue. What could have been one of the best examples of Governor Dayton’s “Unsession” turned into a sad display politics as usual.

Thankfully Minnesota craft brewers aren’t done fighting.

“Allowing Sunday growler sales is an opportunity to help small Minnesota businesses grow,” said Jamie MacFarlane of Castle Danger Brewery. She continued, “We will miss out on Sunday growler sales this tourist season, along with all the other breweries who rely on those tourists returning home to share great beer with their friends and families. We are committed to making Sunday growlers a reality for Minnesota craft beer fans.”

To stay up on this and other topics make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter or RSS-feed and look for a voter guide coming early in the fall via SundaySalesMN.org

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Omnibus liquor bill offered to House with no ability to amend, passes after objections

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A case of mistaken identity

Somehow a gambling bill became a liquor bill Thursday when Rep Joe Atkins (D) added a bevvy of liquor provisions from the existing liquor omnibus liquor bill, but none that would include Sunday growlers for small Minnesota brewers. Rep Atkins tried to justify the unusual procedures by shifting blame to the Senate.

“This is not my preferred approach to this bill,” Atkins said. “But these are all of the provisions proven to be noncontroversial. If we add Sunday growler sales, the Senate won’t take it up.”

In reality the Senate passed liquor a bill with Sunday growlers provisions, and with bipartisan support.

Can you really do that?

Remember the electronic gambling machines in bars that were supposed to pay for a new Minnesota Vikings Stadium? The bill in question was related to electronic gambling fraud, and electronic gaming machines. The shaky premise was that gaming machines are in bars, that means the bill being amended is about liquor. The move was unconventional enough to raise objections citing Rule of the House 3.21.

ARTICLE III – MOTIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND OTHER PROPOSITIONS 3.21 MOTIONS AND PROPOSITIONS MUST BE GERMANE.

(a) A motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration must not be admitted under guise of its being an amendment. A motion, amendment, or other proposition offered to the House is out of order if it is not germane to the matter under consideration. Whether a proposition is germane to the matter under consideration is a question to be decided by the presiding officer, who may put the question to the House. (b) An amendment to an amendment on the House floor must relate only to the primary amendment, without introducing any new subject. Speaker Thissen (D) did not rule on the objection, but put the rules in question to the members for a vote. To his credit Speaker Thissen was among those that voted to find the point of order “well taken.”

“I am going to vote with Drazkowski, as shocking as that may be.” said Rep. Tina Leibling (D).

Continue reading Omnibus liquor bill offered to House with no ability to amend, passes after objections →

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Senate votes on Sunday liquor sales amendment – How they voted

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Full repeal falls short

Senator Brandon Peterson (R) offered an amendment for full repeal of Sunday sales.
Senator Peterson clearly realizes The Volstead Act is dead and it is time to put a final nail in the coffin.
Video link
– Amendment not adopted

Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Michelle R. Benson (31, R)
Continue reading Senate votes on Sunday liquor sales amendment – How they voted →