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.
Newsfeed

Dan Jensen Memorial Fund and Beer Release at Dangerous Man

If you have been involved in any aspect of the Minnesota beer culture you probably ran across Dan Jensen’s smiling face at some point. He was a bright guy and genuine joy to be around. Dan made this world a better place just by being in it. His countless hours of volunteering speaks volumes to his personality and character. We were lucky enough to have Dan help out on our website, and he was a relentless supporter of MN Beer Activists.
Dan Jensens Memorial Fund
The great people at Dangerous Man Brewing Company are tapping a beer in his memory this Friday and donating a portion of the sales to a memorial fund that will cover some of his end of life expenses. The beer will be on for a few week. If you are unable to make it to Dangerous Man, you may donate to the fund on the Dangerous Man site, or by clicking the link below.

Memorial Service: Sat. Nov. 9th. Canterbury Race Track Chapel. 1:00. Shakopee, MN

You left us way too soon. We love you and miss you, Dan.

Donate Button with Credit Cards

Newsfeed

Creating a Pumpkin Beer Tap

This post is probably a little late. Like most seasonal beers, pumpkin beer is being released earlier every year. It is a sad state of affairs, but I’m going soldier on and pretend that all is right in the world and Pumpkin beers have only just been released in the past few weeks.

Creating a pumpkin beer tap is a fun way to drink beer with friends, experiment with flavors, and be a hit at your next Halloween party.

Pumpkin Selection

Creating a Pumpkin Beer Tap1
Get a medium sized pumpkin that taller with a good flat bottom. A large gourd requires too much beer,  and the walls can be too thick. A small or lopsided pumpkin will move around when you try to open the tap, not ideal. If you can’t get your pumpkin to sit without tipping over, grab a knife and go to town on the bottom. Shave bits off the bottom until it is stable.

Carving

Creating a Pumpkin Beer Tap 2
This isn’t rocket science. Just make sure to get all the guts out. Nobody wants any of that shit in their beer. Scrape the sides really well.
Start your hole from INSIDE the pumpkin. Lay a small paring knife on the floor of pumpkin. Carefully, push it it through the side, and mark the out side where it comes out. Once you have your spot marked you can carve a small triangle from the outside. Give your knife a few spins in the triangle to round it out, making sure that your hole is smaller that the tap you will be using.

Tapping Your Pumpkin

Creating a Pumpkin Beer Tap 3
Screw your shank into the little hole you just created. You can tighten it from the inside with the nut, but if you carved the hole correctly you won’t have to. Your spigot doesn’t have to be a fancy chrome jobber. I have seen spouts from homebrew bottling buckets work perfectly as well. Just make sure it fits snugly.
I probably went a little overboard by screwing a small gourd on the top of the faucet. It looked great, but it didn’t function all that well. Oh well, if you are going over the top, you might as well go the all the way.

Drink


Throw the whole setup in your fridge for a few hours, let it get nice and cold. Grab the beer of your choice and fill’er up! I’ve used a few different brands/styles of pumpkin beer and found the stronger imperial/double beers seem to pull more of the pumpkin flavor from the fresh pumpkin. In any case, let the beer and pumpkin get to know each other for a good half hour before enjoying, let those flavors mingle. Once everyone is acquainted, pull the handle and immerse yourself in the fall flavors.
Creating a Pumpkin Beer Tap

Happy Halloween!

Newsfeed

Brau Brothers Brewing Opens Brewery and Taproom in Marshall

Brau Brothers Brewing Company opened its new taproom doors to the public a few weeks back. The new 37,000 square foot brewery is located in the former Runnings building near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Minnesota Highway 23.


Via Marshall Studio1 TV.

A new larger production area means Brau Brothers Brewing Company will have the ability to brew more beer. “With this brewery comes additional barrel aging capacity which will allow us to dabble a bit more in unique, small batch beers. The additional overall capacity will definitely assist us in getting seasonals out there on a more regular basis. That’s one area we look forward to improving on. And this brewery also has its own laboratory, another important factor in an industry that relies on microbiology. Being able to run lab tests will help improve the shelf life and quality of the beer.” Said Dustin Brau.


For the past thirteen years Brau Brothers based their brewing operations in Lucan, Minnesota (Population 220) for the past thirteen years. They have outpaced the little city’s resources in past years and chose a former farm/sport retail space in Marshall because it is a larger facility with room for long term growth. The new facility allows them to have a more visitor-friendly space along with Marshall’s very first tap room.

The new digs are open daily (yes, even Sunday) from 11:am-11:00pm. The taproom features a vintage 1956 firetruck/barback, a couple of cask engines, and a full kitchen.


View Larger Map

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Connecticut and Sunday Liquor Sales: One Year Later

Last year, Connecticut passed a law repealing the prohibition of off-sale liquor retail on Sundays. The measure to modernize the Connecticut liquor code was endorsed by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy (DFL) with members of the DFL and GOP in both the House and Senate voted to make the change. The measure was signed into law on May, 17th, 2012, after decades of debate.

“For years, Connecticut residents had to go to neighboring states where merchants selling alcoholic beverages were wide open for business. Connecticut lost business, lost sales and lost taxes.”
–Connecticut Commissioner of Revenue Services Kevin B. Sullivan

A little over one year has passed since the change. How has the legalization of Sunday liquor sales impacted the state and its consumers? Fears that six days of sales would be spread over seven days have been found to be completely unfounded. Liquor sales during the last year have increased, not decreased. According to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services the state experienced an sizable increase in alcoholic beverage receipts, crediting the change in Sunday liquor sales for the increase. The volume of alcoholic products sold by Connecticut retailers increased by nearly 3%.

Said Commissioner Sullivan, “Not every retailer selling beer and other alcoholic beverages see increased sales. Overall, however, the results are positive and especially for those who stretched to be more competitive.”

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Proposed Minnesota Recycling Changes to Result in Higher Prices for Consumers

Minnesota’s Legislature is considering a proposal to add deposit fees to nearly all bottles and cans purchased in Minnesota. The proposal would result in an additional $0.10/container, or $2.40 per case of beer. The amount may be refunded if consumers bring used bottles and cans to newly created redemption centers. The deposit fee is intended to create an incentive to increase the rate of recycling in Minnesota to 80%.

Scope of beverage containers with deposit
All alcoholic or a nonalcoholic drink intended for human consumption and packaged for sale in a redeemable beverage container including beer and other malt beverages, wine, distilled spirits regardless of dairy-derived content, carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, flavored and unflavored bottled water, fruit juice, and tea and coffee drinks regardless of dairy-derived content.
–Draft program design for a recycling refund program for beverage containers in Minnesota – MPCA

The proposed beverage container deposit fee is part of a recommended recycling program being proposed by the MPCA, as charged by the Minnesota Legislature during the 2013 legislative session.

The commissioner shall prepare and submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources by January 15, 2014, with recommendations for a statewide recycling refund program for beverage containers that achieves an 80 percent recycling rate. In preparing the report, the commissioner shall consult with stakeholders, including retailers, collectors, recyclers, local governments, and consumers on options to increase the current recycling rate. An assessment of the financial impact of any recommended program shall be included in the report. All money deposited in the environmental fund for the metropolitan solid waste landfill fee in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 473.843, and not otherwise appropriated, is appropriated for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 473.844. $315,000 the first year and $315,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the electronic waste program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115A.1310 to
115A.1330.
–H.F.No. 976

The new program will undoubtedly mean higher beverage prices, not only from the deposit, but from the additional costs of setting up and operating a new redemption system for bottles and cans. Higher beverage prices would hit low‐income families and seniors on fixed incomes the hardest. Minnesotans with the fewest resources would have to devote a greater percentage of their income to the new program. Additionally, higher beverage prices will mean people buy less, having a negative impact on producers, distributors, retailers. The reduction in beverage sales would ultimately cost Minnesota jobs.

Of course, the proposed price increase from the new Minnesota recycling program would affect each community differently. It is unclear how the program would co-exist with current recycling programs that are already well integrated in Minnesota municipalities. Curbside recycling program costs could change drastically without the revenue from the collection of cans and bottles.

Much like the current ban on Sunday liquor sales, retailers near state borders would see the greatest drop in revenue as shoppers make purchases across state lines. On-sale retailers would ultimately move away from bottles and cans and toward kegs in an effort to cut down on the upfront costs the and hassle of collecting and storing used beverage containers, not to mention getting them to a collection center.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone that is anti-recycling. And, an 80% recycling rate is admirable goal, but is the best course of action to place all the cost on consumers while putting existing recycling programs on a shelf? Many Minnesotan’s recycle already, the introduction programs like “single sort” recycling in Hennepin County, Minnesota’s recycling rate should continue to improve. Maybe Minnesota legislators need to make recycling more convenient, not more expensive.

Newsfeed

Minnesota Companies are Offering Furloughed Federal Employees Beer to Ease the Pain

friends bring beerBrewers might be affected a little bit by the current work federal furlough, but we all know it is the workers and contractors that are taking it in the shorts. Minnesota companies are offering furloughed federal employees beer to ease the pain.

According to an AP article via KARE 11 Saint Paul bars The Liffey, Burger Moe’s, Tom Reid’s, and Eagle Street Grille are all offering the first round of beer on the house for furloughed federal employees that can provide an ID showing their circumstances.

Even St. Paul Mayor Coleman endorsed the move via twitter.

Vine Park Brewery, Minnesota’s only brew on premise facility, is also offering a discount to federal employees feeling the crunch. Vine Park will take $25.00 off any Wine or Beer made at Vine Park Brewing Co for any federal employee on furlough while the shutdown lasts. the only caveat is that the Brewing & wine making must take place during the furlough.

“Sending willing workers home to do nothing is foolish. We want them to take their mandatory “free” time and do something fun that saves them some money.”
– Daniel Justesen, Owner, Brew Coach at Vine Park Brewing Co.

In Minnesota, when our neighbors are going through a tough time we say, “Come have a beer with me, I’m with you.” I hope this never changes about us. It is one of the many reasons I’m proud to live in Minnesota.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Government Shutdown Hits Brewers

1 Comment

TTB

The government shutdown could have an adverse impact on your beer. The U.S. Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, commonly referred to as the TTB, is the federal agency that regulates brewers. The TTB has given notice that the agency will not be approving new beer labels, or any other regulatory functions during the federal government shutdown.

Don’t worry though, they will still be collecting taxes. It is the only way they can keep us safe… Huh?

TTB would halt its regulatory functions, non-criminal investigative activities and audit functions. However, TTB would ensure that all tax remittances are processed because these functions are deemed necessary for safety and protection of property.

Source

Newsfeed

Autumn Brew Review 2013 – Must Try Beers

Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild events just keep getting better. Autumn Brew Review 2013 looks to continue this upward trend by offering a huge variety of beer from an ever growing list of craft breweries.
ABR 2013
Unless your name is Andre the Giant, there is no way you will be able to fit all these beer samples into your afternoon. Nor should you try. When attending a beer festival I usually divide the program into 3 tiers; a must try, really want to try, and all the rest. Below is a few of the brews that will be going into my “Autumn Brew Review 2013 must try beers.”

Bent Paddle Brewery
Nitro Cold Press Black with Whole Bean Madagascar
Cold Press Black infused with Madagascar vanilla beans and served on nitro.

Creamy and roasty with coffee and vanilla? Oh, hell yes.

Lucette Brewing Company
Hips Don’y Lie – Fruit Bowl
Hips Don’t Lie is a slightly bigger interpretation of a traditional German wheat beer featuring a refreshing light body with a crisp, dry finish. A high proportion of malted wheat lends a round, pasta-like character that is complemented by a delicate balance of clove-like phenolics, banana esters and just a hint of sulfur from the classic German weissbier yeast strain. Rose hips give this beer a subtle floral note while the honey lends to the dryness in the finish. The beer has been infused with bitter and sweet orange peel which along with the banana characteristics gives this beer the ultimate fruit bowl in a glass.

An easy drinking beer with subtle flavor layers you can explore for days. I’m excited to see what the addition of fruit via cask will do to this one.

Goose Island
Bourbon County Stout
Brewed in honor of the 1000th batch at our original Clybourn brewpub. A liquid as dark and dense as a black hole with thick foam the color of a bourbon barrel. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke. One sip has more flavor than your average case of beer.

This beer is legendary. Ever since the change in ownership I feel uncomfortable drinking it, but that has yet to stop me. It is just too good.

Indeed Brewing
Fresh Hop (Mn version)
This Minnesota Fresh Hop ale was brewed with 10-pounds per barrel of Cascade hops from Goat Ridge Farm in New London, Minnesota. Deep amber in colorthis session ale carries the typical citrus and floral hallmarks of the famed Cascade hop but with a juicy fresh twist that drips flavors and aromas of a spicy orange marmalade. Available: September

Tis the season! It is nice to see a session version of a local fresh hop beer. With an ABV of 4.2% and unmistakable fresh hop aroma you can (and will want to) rock this beer all day long.

Green Flash Brewing
Double Stout Black Ale
Golden naked oats mashed with dark crystal and robust roasted malts create a luscious black brew with satin smooth finish. An old-world style, done the Green Flash way. Big, bold, flavorful and complex.

Green Flash is new to the market. A quality brewery with lots of street cred, their IPA often overshadows other great beers in their portfolio like this black beauty.

I hope you enjoy my suggestions. Hit the link to the full Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Autumn Brew Review 2013 program to check out all the beer and make your own “must try” list. Don’t forget to thank the brewers for making events like this special, as well the volunteers that work hard to make these things happen. As always, eat a big breakfast, stay hydrated, and consume responsibly.

Is there glaring omission? Totally off with a suggestion? Leave a comment below and let us know what in your “must try list.”