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

Enki Brewing Opens this Saturday

enki brewingEnki Brewing is set to make Victoria the next home of local craft beer in Minnesota.  The doors will swing open at noon this Saturday.

Dan Norton and John Hayes, are the partners behind Enki Brewing.  The two met at Nike years ago and the have finally been able to make their brewing dreams happen.  They remodeled the old Victoria Creamery in a brewery and taproom.

Fun fact: Enki was the Sumarian deity of crafts, mischief; water, intelligence, and creation. Enki was also the father of Ninkasi, Sumarian goddess of beer.

Enki Brewing
7929 Victoria Drive, Victoria, Minnesota
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Home Brewing, Newsfeed

Lucid Brewing – BFD

Do you want to be a BFD at Lucid Brewing? Enter the Lucid Brewing BFD (Brewer For a day) home brewing competition!

Lucid Brewing is holding a new homebrew contest, and the grand prize is brewing the winning beer on the Lucid System, entry into the GABF pro-AM and backstage passes to the Great American Beer Fest!

It might be a little short notice, but surely you’ve got something in a fermenter, right?! Registration / Judging info at www.Lucidbrewing.com/BFD

Lucid Brewing will also throw their first (non-freezing cold) outdoor party to celebrate the event on July 27th! There will be live music, food trucks and beer! Tickets can be purchased at http://thebfd.eventbrite.com/

BFD

Newsfeed

Brau Brothers Brewing Braufest 2013

brau logo squareBraufest is the stuff of legends. It is a wild weekend full of great beer and camping in scenic southwest Minnesota. This could be the last Braufest in its current incarnation (or, at least location) as Brau Brothers Brewing is moving operation to nearby Marshall, MN.

“I love beer, but it’s the people I’m drinking with, and the place that I imbibe that create the experience.” – Dustin Brau

•Camping parking will be open on Friday May 31. Camping is free-for-all with no electrical hookup.
•We will serve beer Friday night and all day Saturday. Firkins will be tapped, and a new beer will be poured (Pre-Release!!).
•As always, the BrauHaus will provide good food and music both Friday and Saturday night.
•The Lucan Lions will be serving beer at the park with softball tourney for entertainment.
•Karen at the Lucan Locker will be serving samples on Saturday morning.

May 31 – June 2
Brau Brothers Brewing Co.
201 1st St, Lucan, Minnesota 56255


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Newsfeed

St. Paul Summer Beer Fest Breweries Announced

SPSBFSt. Paul Summer Beer Fest organizers have announced the list of 2013 breweries and participants.

The music lineup looks great as usual. The music acts are very bluegrass themed with popular jam band Big Wu headlining.

The food list isn’t out yet, but in years past there have been food trucks and Mediterranean dishes from Holy Land Deli.

Some breweries of newness and note are listed below.

    612 Brew

 

    Bad Weather Brewing Co

 

    Badger Hill Brewing Co

 

    Bent Brewstillery

 

    Bent Paddle Brewing Co

 

    Blacklist Brewery

 

    Castle Danger

 

    Central Waters Brewing Company

 

    Crazy Mountain Brewery

 

    Dangerous Man Brewing Co.

 

    Indeed Brewing Co

 

    Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

 

    Northbound Smokehouse

 

    Odell Brewing Company

 

    Olvalde Farm and Brewing Company

 

    Peace Tree Brewing Co

 

    Redstone Meadery

 

    Surly Brewing Company

 

    Tallgrass Brewing Company

 

    Two Brothers Brewing Company

You can find the full list HERE.

Newsfeed

Finnegans Now Available in 12oz Cans

Finnegans CansIt just got easier to drink beer and do good at the same time. Minnesota’s own Finnegans Beer is now available in cans.

By joining the popular craft beer canning movement, Finnegans hopes to appeal to beer drinkers on the go, better protect the beer, and be more environmentally responsible. The cans are 100% recyclable and do a better job than bottles of keeping out oxygen and light.

Finnegans bottles will continue to be brewed at Summit, but the new cans are brewed at Third Street Brewhouse in Cold Spring. A neat connection, the head brewer of Third Street, Horace Cunningham, was previously head brewer at Summit back when Finnegans first partnered with them in 2003.

The cans are 12 oz. just like the bottles. “We asked around and did testing during the summer months.” says Finnegans Founder Jacquie Berglund, “With 16oz. cans the beer isn’t always cold by the time you got to the bottom.” This is sound reasoning. I can testify to the fact that I have drank more than a few warm ounces from the bottom of a tallboy. Maybe I just don’t drink fast enough.

Next time you are looking to drink some beer on the go and contribute to the community (Finnegans donates all of its profits to support hunger alleviation programs), grab a pack and give back!

Also, check out the contest to win a year supply of Finnegans by sharing pictures of your interesting and artistic creations using the new cans.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Video: Understanding MN Beer Tax Laws with BBS University

Better Beer Society UniversityI was honored to moderate a great discussion panel about beer and taxes in Minnesota at Better Beer Society University.

Luckily we avoided the excise tax increase this year. To see how everything played out in the legislature click here.

Pop some popcorn and watch the beer business wisdom flow from Paul Morrissey jr. (Capitol Beverage), Dan Schwarz (Lift bridge), Jason Alvey (Four Firkins), Joe Falkowski (JJ Taylor), Pete Rifakes (Town Hall brewery), Mark Joseph (Ale jail).

Many thanks to Rob at BBS for including consumers in the conversation.

Legislative Events

Minnesota Legislators Will Not Increase Alcohol Excise Tax

mn sealThanks to Governor Dayton and members of the Minnesota Legislature for having the wisdom to not raise the excise tax on beer and alcohol. Brewing is an important part of our culture and community.

Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen, from brewers to consumers, the only way this and other initiatives work is because people got involved and made their voices heard.

From Star Tribune –
DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Democratic legislative leaders scrapped a proposed alcohol tax hike and an income tax surcharge on high earners as part of a last-minute budget agreement.
The leaders convened a late-night meeting Thursday to resolve crucial differences as legislators enter their final few days of the legislative session.

Brewers, retailers, and consumers rejoiced at at the announcement.

Summit Brewing Founder Mark Stutrud was thankful, but rightfully cautious.Petition signing

Mark Stutrud –
…there will be no increase in excise taxes on beer from this year’s state legislative session. For those of you who actively contacted Gov. Mark Dayton and your legislators, Summit Brewing Company would like to say ‘thank you’ for your activism. We also want to thank the legislators and Governor Dayton for listening to our concerns in regard to the effect the proposed tax hike would have had on not only Summit and our consumers, but on the growing craft brewing industry at large in the state of Minnesota.

Stutrud’s comments hold a lot of value, the fight is only over for now. Beer and alcohol are easy “sin-tax” targets for legislators looking to raise revenue.