Category Archives: Newsfeed

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

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Democratic Visions on Minnesota Liquor Law

Mary Stanik: Minnesota Liquor Law

Author, Democratic Visions commentator, and Minnpost contributor Mary Stanik gives her thoughts on the failure of a 2014 Minnesota legislative bill that would have permitted Sunday liquor store sales.

Democratic Visions is hand crafted by volunteers (mostly DFLers) from Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina and Bloomington and can be seen on the following cable systems:
Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie – Comcast Channel 15 – Sundays at 9 p.m., Mondays at 10:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Minneapolis – MTN Channel 16 – Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ; Mondays at 3:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m
Bloomington – BCAT Cable Channel 16 – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.; Fridays at 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Newsfeed

Crowdfunding a brewery

Another week, another brewery, another crowdfunding campaign.

It seems like not a week goes by without hearing about a new brewery in planning and the launch of their crowdfunding campaign. Don’t misunderstand me, I have absolutely nothing against new businesses taking advantage all the tools at their disposal. But, it seems like there is an extremely close relationship to startup breweries and crowdfunding sites like indeigogo, kickstarter, or Razoo.

One cannot blame these new companies for trying to entice people to kick in a few bucks. Starting a new brewery can be very cash intensive. And the truth is these creative funding sources work more often than not. Recent success stories include BauHaus BrewLabs, Sisyphus Brewing, and Hayes’ Public House.

There is even a company called Crowd Brewed that focuses on crowdsourced brewery investors. Crowd Brewed lets you buy a small slice of the company pie with a chance to see a return on a long term brewery investment.

To most breweries crowdfunding is more than just than some additional funding. Along with these campaigns comes added benefit of media exposure and word of mouth advertising. Breweries like BauHaus and Sisyphus have made it clear that their crowdfunding campaigns were to enhance their business plans with added value like patios and art. They added to their business plans instead of making crowdfunding a critical part of their business plan.

My only real concern with crowdfunding a brewery is with the campaigns that really need the money to get off the ground. The craft beer market is getting more crowded by the day. If a new brewery is underfunded or ill-prepared from the outset, the odds of successfully navigating all the remaining challenges faced by a small brewery are slim.

Newsfeed

Finch’s Beer Co. flies into the Minnesota beer market

Finch’s Beer Co. is making their Minnesota debut this week with a calendar full of events and tastings.

Finch’s Beer Co. has been brewing quality craft beer in Chicago since 2011 primarily for the local Illinois consumers. Their distribution partnership with Artisan Beer Company is making the Windy City brew to available to Minnesota beginning this week.

Part of how we evaluate markets relies heavily on the can presence and the quality of the beer in the market. We’re incredibly excited to be in the Minnesota market for both of those reasons, and being one of the first Chicago breweries to take beer to Minnesota will be very cool. Artisan Beer Company represents incredible brands and we’re excited to be considered among such an elite group. – Benjamin Finch

Although a fairly young brewery at only 3 years, Finch’s is highly regarded. They’ve won gold medals for their IPA and stout. The Finch’s core beers are Golden Wing Blonde Ale, Cutthroat Pale Ale, Threadless IPA, Secret Stache Stout, and Fascist Pig Ale. The pale ale and blonde ale may not make to the Minnesota this year, but the rest of the lineup as well as limited-edition specialties are already showing up on store shelves and in pubs.

Newsfeed

Video: Getting to know Live The Dream Brewing Co

Video

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

Newsfeed

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

Newsfeed

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!

Newsfeed

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.

Newsfeed

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 →