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MN Beer Activists feed of news, events, education, legislation related to beer, wine, and spirits in Minnesota.

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Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Announces 2016 Festival Line Up and Ticket Packages

Online Ticket Sales Start Noon, Tuesday, December 1

At noon, Tuesday, December 1, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild will release online ticket sales for packages to its 2016 craft beer festivals at http://www.tempotickets.com/mcbg. The ticket packages deliver 10 percent discounts over purchasing tickets individually.

2016 Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Festivals

Winterfest — A two-night event at St. Paul’s Union Depot: 7 p.m., Friday, February 26, and 7 p.m., Saturday February 27.

The Guild’s 90 brewery members will break out their specialty beers, delivering a fresh rotation of breweries and brewpubs each night, plus a roster of “Brewers Choice” breweries pouring both nights. Event includes upscale, catered food menu, beer education and music.
Winterfest Barley Johns

 

All Pints North — 3 p.m., Saturday, July 23, Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth.

Sample hundreds of beers from a roster of Minnesota and national craft brewers, set to the backdrop of Lake Superior and live music.

Land of 10,000 Beers Craft Beer Hall at the Minnesota State Fair — August 25–September 5, Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Get together with Minnesota craft beer at the 5th year of the Land of 10,000 Beers Craft Beer Hall for flights of fantastic Minnesota craft beer.
All Pints North 2015

 

Autumn Brew Review — 1 p.m., Saturday, September 17, Historic Grain Belt Brewery, Minneapolis.

Returning for its 16th year, the Autumn Brew Review is one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest craft beer festivals, pouring hundreds of Minnesota and national craft beers from 130-plus breweries under the shadows of the Historic Grain Belt Brewery.
Autumn brew review 2015 jace marti schells

 

Ticket Packages

Purchase tickets at http://www.tempotickets.com/mcbg:

Seasonal Six Pack: $300 — online sale at noon, Tuesday, December 1.

  • Winterfest: two tickets for either the February 26 or February 27 event.
  • All Pints North: two tickets.
  • Autumn Brew Review: two tickets.

Superfan Pack: $450 — online sale at noon, Tuesday, December 1.

  • Winterfest: two tickets for both the February 26 and February 27 events.
  • All Pints North: two tickets.
  • Autumn Brew Review: two tickets.
  • State Fair: two beer flight tickets at the Land of 10,000 Beers Craft Beer Hall.
  • Two Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild “Brewed in Minnesota” t-shirts.

Two-Day Winterfest Pack: $135 — online sale at noon, Tuesday, December 8.

  • Winterfest: one ticket for both the February 26 and February 27 events.

Winterfest: $75 — online sale at noon, Tuesday, December 16.

  • General online ticket sales for both the February 26 and February 27 events.
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Utepils Brewing® Announces Eric Harper as Head Brewer

Press Release – 

Minneapolis, Minn.: Utepils Brewing® today put an end to the suspense surrounding the identity of its head brewer and announced that Eric Harper will be assuming the role. Harper comes to Utepils Brewing® from Summit Brewing Company and is well-known in craft beer circles, winning acclaim and World Beer Cup Gold and Silver medals as part of the Summit Brewing team. Prior to that, the University of Wisconsin graduate was the Brewhouse Team Leader at Wisconsin’s New Glarus Brewing Company, home of Spotted Cow.

Dan Justesen, founder and President of Utepils Brewing®, said keeping Harper’s identity under wraps was both fun and challenging during the equity raise. Justesen said, “I promised investors that our head brewer, whom we were referring to as code name “Ewald”, had the perfect skill set and resume’ to brew the award-winning European-style craft beers that we aspire to create. For Eric, that style of brewing helped convince him to come over to us.”

Harper agreed. “The plan to brew styles I personally enjoy and the European feel to the brewery were big factors for me. When I imagine creating a brewery from the ground up for myself, Utepils Brewing is that place.”

Still, leaving an established and successful brewery like Summit wasn’t an easy decision, said Harper. “I love where I work and the people at Summit are awesome. Utepils was offering an opportunity to have a lot of creative control. One of the things that helped in my decision was Dan’s recognition of the importance of quality. He understood the need to include a sophisticated brewery lab in his plan, in addition to quality equipment and ingredients, in order to make great beers. I think the Utepils team that he’s built is the ultimate reflection of that. The strength of the team is really what gives me confidence in our future success.”

Harper completed his bachelor’s degree in German Culture at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is also a graduate of the Master Brewers Program at University of California – Davis and has a Diploma in Brewing from London’s Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

For the past five years he has served on the board of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas St. Paul – Minneapolis District, holding roles of secretary, treasurer, and currently Vice President.

Below is a comprehensive list of awards Harper won as part of brewing teams at Summit and New Glarus:

World Beer Cup:

Summit
2014 Silver Extra Pale Ale
2012 Silver Extra Pale Ale
2010 Gold Extra Pale Ale

Great American Beer Festival (GABF):

Summit
2014 Bronze Extra Pale Ale
2013 Silver True Brit IPA
2012 Silver Pilsener
2010 Bronze Extra Pale Ale

New Glarus
2007 Bronze Raspberry Tart
2006 Gold Belgian Red
2006 Gold Cherry Stout
2006 Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year
2005 Gold Belgian Red
2005 Gold Cherry Stout
2005 Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year

Last week, Utepils Brewing® officially changed its name from Bryn Mawr Brewing. Utepils was the name of the holding company. The word “utepils” is Norwegian for the first beer enjoyed outdoors in the sunshine after a long, dark winter. The word “ute” means outside and “pils” means beer. The “utepils moment” is widely-anticipated and celebrated every Spring by Norwegian beer drinkers.

Utepils Brewing® is steeped in the traditions of European brew masters, but will soon be available close to home in Minneapolis, with plans to distribute regionally and nationally. Construction is now underway for the full-production brewery and taproom being built at the site of the former Glenwood Bottling plant. Utepils Brewing® is set to open in early 2016 and will specialize in classic European beer styles and also offer select, special edition seasonal brews.

Special Holiday Offer for VIPER MEMBEERSHIPS®

Just in time for the gift-giving season and to celebrate the new brand, Utepils Brewing® is offering holiday cheer MEMBEERSHIPS® with free beer for 99 years. The exclusive VIPER Program “Very Important Patron, Enthusiast and Recruiter” gives patrons access to the coolest (and only transferable) beer club in town.

Single MEMBEERSHIPs® are $1000, but Utepils Brewing® has a special holiday offer for the first 100 Couple MEMBEERSHIPS ® of $1848 per couple, reduced from $1900. 1848 is the founding date of the German brewery that was the original home of the signature copper kettle
that will be displayed in our taproom.

Offer is limited to first 100 couple MEMBEERSHIPS® and expires December 23, 2015. To reserve your VIPER, email MEMBEERSHIP@utepilsbrewing.com.

Newsfeed

Stone Saloon Coming Soon(ish)

A piece of St. Paul history recently made history in a whole new way.

The Anthony Waldman House, the oldest surviving commercial structure in St. Paul, and one of the oldest in the state, was a German Saloon in the 1850’s and may soon become a saloon again.

Tom Schroeder and local architect, John Yust, are renovating this historic building to look as it did 150 years ago. Photo by Craig Johnson
Tom Schroeder and local architect, John Yust, are renovating this historic St. Paul  building to look (and function) as it did 150 years ago.
Photo by Craig Johnson

This pre-Civil War limestone building on Smith Avenue, between West Seventh Street and High Bridge, has been zoned as a private residence for decades but Tom Schroeder, who bought the building in 2008, has other plans.

Schroeder hopes to pay homage to the historic building’s roots by opening a 1800s-style saloon and brewery called the Stone Saloon, producing and serving around 550 barrels of German-style lager a year.

Stone Saloon

On September 16, 2015, Schroeder received St. Paul’s first-ever historic use variance. The historic use variance is a new ordinance created recently by the St. Paul city council to permit the commercial use of historic properties. The variance was created specifically with the Stone Saloon in mind. The vote of approval from the City Council was unanimous.

Schroeder envisions serving lager brewed in the German tradition using local ingredients. Some of the lager will be casked and stored in the building’s original limestone basement. He is quick to point out that he’s interested in honoring the history of the building and that this will not be a sports bar, but an historically accurate taproom.

There are still city planning reviews, liquor licensing and other small obstacles to contend with but they hope to be able to start taproom construction in the Spring.

No word on an opening date, yet.

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Better Beer Society & Happy Gnome host Beer Trivia Night

fbcoverMN Beer Bowl 2016 at The Happy Gnome
Sunday Jan. 31st, 3:00-6:00pm

Do you think you’re beer savvy enough to win a game of beer trivia? Better Beer Society and the Happy Gnome are teaming up to bring you the second edition of the MN Beer Bowl. Teams of 4 will compete to win prizes from local breweries and other beer-related sponsors

The last MN Beer Bowl was hosted at Zeke’s Unchained Animal last year, where the ladies from Barley’s Angels took home the gold. This year, that team is back to defend 10153886_1434853963420777_843572067_ntheir title. Among last year’s 15 different sponsors were Summit, Surly, Harriet, Boom Island, Bad Weather, Hammerheart, Growler Magazine, 16oz society and lots more. Teams take home prizes from every round, giving each team lots of opportunity to win as well as bonus questions every other round for free beers from the Happy Gnome’s huge selection of craft beer.

Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets at the link below:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2461141

Newsfeed

Able Seedhouse + Brewery Opens

Able Seedhouse and Brewery, the newest brewery in the Logan Park neighborhood, is opening November 6th. We stopped by their soft opening the night before in order to get a sneak peak at what you can expect from Able. Located just walking distance from Indeed, 612Brew, Bauhaus Brew Labs, and Sociable Cider Werks, Able is definitely in good company.

Able Logo

The Taproom is clean and spacious, making use of natural wood and ample lighting to give a warm atmosphere. There are attractive views of both the brewhouse and fermentation areas from the Taproom for those looking for a peak behind the scenes. Tables are lined with small plants, and an intriguing magazine Able had created just for their taproom. Featuring photos, information about Able, and fun facts, these handouts were a nice twist on the typical bar literature. Inside you can even find a flowchart showing the musical connection between Bob Dylan and Insane Clown Posse.

Twin Sparrows WPA
Twin Sparrows WPA

On opening night Able Seedhouse + Brewery will have four flagship beers on tap: First Light IPA, Blk Wlf Stout, Twin Sparrows Wheat Pale Ale, and House Red Ale. We tried all but the IPA, as it wasn’t on tap at the soft opening, but we were assured it would be on tap at the grand opening the next evening. Among the three beers we tried, Blk Wlf Stout was the clear standout. The nose had a mild hint of hops and a light caramel sweetness. On first taste we noted an excellent malt character that was strong in roast, with a mild chocolate finish. Served on nitro, the body was smooth and creamy.

Able Seedhouse + Brewery
Able Seedhouse + Brewery

One standout thing about Able’s beer was the ABV. Their Stout, Wheat Pale Ale, and Red Ale all stand below 5% ABV. This means that one can have more than just one or two beers without feeling a serious buzz, and with session beers becoming even more popular, this is a wise move on Able’s part.

Able Flights
Flights at Able

Perhaps the most intriguing fact about Able Seedhouse + Brewery is their plan to start malting their own grain. Malting, the process of kilning and drying grains for use in brewing, is typically done by dedicated malt houses, not by breweries themselves. Able intends to malt locally grown grains, and use a percentage of that in their own brews. Will this in-house malting capability bring a unique twist to their beers? We are interested to find out.

Taproom Hours:

  • Wednesday: 3-11
  • Thursday: 3-11
  • Friday 1-11
  • Saturday 12-11
  • Sunday 12-6

Able Seedhouse + Brewery | 1121 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis

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Omni Brewing Opens in Maple Grove

Late September marked the opening of a new brewery in the northwest metro. Omni Brewing,nestled in a nondescript Maple Grove industrial park, is a relaxing place to leave behind the nine to five grind. With a spacious patio, screened garage doors, and Northwoodsesque décor, Omni provides a quiet haven to enjoy an autumn evening.

Omni Brewing Pint
No need for mustache wax or sleeve tattoos here (though welcome, if that’s your jam), Omni Brewing has come-as-you-are feel that offers an approachable and inclusive atmosphere for newbies and veterans to the craft beer movement. With four beers currently on the menu, the brewery’s debut brews show strong promise of a well-rounded selection. Head brewer Zack Ward also promises pilot batches. He tapped a wet hop version of their Hopfull IPA last week, and he plans an aged scotch ale and double IPA in the future.

Omni’s founders funded their taproom through a Kickstarter campaign, which was wildly successful. The campaign nearly doubled their initial goal of $25,000. Omni’s backers are visible in the taproom, regularly dropping in with members-only mugs and fill-ready growlers. Ward says, “The confirmation that there are indeed craft beer drinkers in the suburbs has been so affirming.” The Omni team also values sustainability, using solar panels to power their facility.

Ward says, “The confirmation that there are indeed craft beer drinkers in the suburbs has been so affirming.”

Omni Brewing illustrates the growing strength of craft beer in the suburbs. As their website states, “We love craft beer, but got tired of having to drive into the city to get a good beer.” The next time you’re thinking about heading to Northeast, consider heading northwest instead.

Taproom Hours
Wednesdays: 3-10pm
Thursdays: 3-10pm
Fridays: 3-11pm
Saturdays: 12-11pm
Sundays: 12-10pm

OMNI Brewing Co.
9462 Deerwood Lane N.Maple Grove, MN

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Take a (short) drive: Northfield British pub offers solid beer lineup, atmosphere

Most Twin Cities-based residents don’t often look beyond the 494 loop for much. They’ve got all they can handle in entertainment, food and drink. But there are, of course, many gems in the first- and second-ring suburbs and beyond.

One such example is the exurb of Northfield, a quaint town of 20,000 (including the populations of its two liberal arts colleges, Carleton and St. Olaf). Best of all? It’s a short 30-minute drive from Burnsville (you know, that sprawling city that’s just 10 minutes away from Minneapolis).

Northfield is a destination for many reasons: Safest place to live, best small town in America, best place to retire, and the history around that whole failed bank robbery by the James-Younger Gang (just do a quick search online for Northfield’s accolades). And it’s growing its reputation for a place for those with a thirst for better brews (and spirits: See Loon Liquors). With Imminent Brewing’s progress and Meetinghouse Brewery slated to open early next year in adjacent Dundas, people will have a good reason to visit Northfield.

But many of the city’s establishments already pay attention to quality beer, including British pub The Contented Cow (www.contentedcow.com), long known to carry beer for the serious beer drinker. Its current lineup includes offerings from Boom Island, Fulton, Indeed, Grand Teton and Mankato Brewery. It’s carried perennial favorites like Summit, Badger Hill and Insight, and regularly shuffles its lineup.

The Cow’s proprietor, Norman Butler (no relation to this writer), recently took time to respond to some questions for mnbeeractivists.com.

Why has bringing quality beer to your pub been a focus?

All pubs and bars sell quality beers and most buy and sell “domestics.” This was certainly the case when The Cow opened in 1999. We wanted to offer something different (including a nonsmoking environment) and, since at that time the U.S. craft beer industry was in its infancy, most of our keg beers were imported. However, the last few years have seen a long-awaited and much-appreciated renaissance of the microbrew and craft beer industry, so nowadays there is no need to go overseas for quality beers.

How many beers do you usually have on tap?

We opened in 1999 with eight and now have 13 and are at capacity regarding the size of our walk-in cooler. Even so, most styles of craft beers are offered — if not this week, then next.

How often do they rotate?

Initially, customers bemoaned the fact that their favorite was on last week but not this. However, quite soon they recognized and appreciated the variety and we will continue to offer a constantly changing lineup of breweries and styles.

What does having better beer options do for the atmosphere of your pub?

Within the context of a warm, inviting, olde worlde style environment, continuous improvement (i.e., change) is important and our approach to beer reflects that. Customers are curious to try new brews and rarely regret it.

You have a lot of Minnesota representation on your tap line. Why is that?

Minnesota beers are brilliant and can stand up to the rest of the country, even the world. In addition and in step with a refocusing of consumer preferences, The Cow tries to source local product and support local businesses — and not just brews.

What’s your favorite craft beer?

I’m spoiled for choice.

What’s your favorite Minnesota beer?

Likewise. And not just beer — also local ciders and soda.

Why is a visit to the Cow and Northfield worth the drive for out-of-towners?

The Cow, Colleges & Contentment. A great place for a day out — arts town, Riverside Market Fair, period architecture, solid, safe, sane (for the most part). The list goes on as do the reasons for making Northfield a destination drive — and hopefully one day a destination train ride!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Northfield and The Cow welcomes the curious and inquiring mind and spirit!

https://www.facebook.com/TheContentedCow/

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Tin Whiskers Tiny Circuit Coffee Stout

Local brewery Tin Whiskers has just released a Coffee Stout.  This caffeinated version of their Short Circuit sweet stout is a collaboration with local Coffee roaster Tiny Footprint Coffee.
Tiny Circuit Coffee Stout
The beer this is based on, Short Circuit Stout, has been a flagship for this brewery from the beginning.  It’s a nitro poured sweet stout brewed with lactose.  For this collaboration, head brewer Derek Brown and founder Jeff Moriarty cold press an Ethiopian dark roast (Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Negelle Gorbitu) and add it to the bright tank, resulting in a sweet, creamy, roasty stout.

Tin Whiskers Coffee Stout
Cascading nitro action

A note about Tiny Footprint:  They are actually the first carbon-negative coffee.  For each pound of coffee they sell, they donate proceeds to replant a forest in Ecuador.  These carbon offsets result in a carbon-negative product.  The coffee is pretty good, too.

The robot approves

You can find this on tap at Tin Whiskers Downtown St. Paul now, and in other craft beer bars soon.

By the numbers:

  • Style: Sweet Stout
  • Original Gravity: 1.065
  • Final Gravity: 1.022
  • ABV: 5.8%
  • IBUs: 55

Links:

Release announcement from Tin Whiskers

Coffee information from Tiny Footprint