Twin Cities News Talk am talk hosts Jack Thomczak and Ben Kruse tackle the issue of Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota on their show this morning. You can get download the audio directly here. The good part starts at about 7:15.
Category Archives: Newsfeed
MN Beer Activists feed of news, events, education, legislation related to beer, wine, and spirits in Minnesota.
Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Beer Lovers
You should probably have all your holiday season shopping done already. It’s cool, nobody here is judging. Life is busy, you’re busy. The important thing is that you finally have your act together and you’re on the ball now. We are here to help you on your quest with some last minute holiday gift ideas for beer lovers in your life.
For the Local Craftbeer Lover
Some beer nerds swear by only local brew. Good. Drinking local helps grow our Minnesota beer culture, and keeps Minnesota brewing. After all, the further away a beer is brewed, the longer it takes to get to your lips. 612Brew is currently offering a Living Social deal. The NE Mpls Brewery gives you a flight of beer to share, 2 pints of beer of your choice and 2 signature pint glasses for $16.
If holiday beer is more your target’s taste you can opt for the Indeed Brewing Old Friend gift box. Available only in the taproom, you’ll get 1 bottle of Old Friend, 2 Indeed Pint glasses and 1 Indeed decal for $9.99! That is steal any time of year.
For the Home Brewer
Homebrewing is like any other hobby. You can always expand your setup to include the latest and greatest gizmo or doohickey. This is ALWAYS the case with homebrewing. Basic entry into the hobby is pretty easy with a deluxe kit that includes everything needed to make great beer at home.
If the brewer in your life already has everything they need you can give them the gift that gives back, a recipe kit. Give them a recipe kit for a beer YOU want to drink, they’ll pretty much be honor-bound to give you some when it is ready. Win-win.
Liquor is Quicker
OK, I concede, not everyone wants beer. Some people are more into liquor and spirits. I’ve actually been exploring the world of Rye Whiskey myself lately.
Red Envelope has a whole section dedicated to keeping your bar functional and stylish. A personalized leather wrapped flask, or a set of crystal glasses designed to let the spirits “breath” should do the trick.
If your liquor lover is into bourbon, you can stop into Liquor Boy Wine & Spirits in St. Louis Park, and get them a personalized bottle of Knob Creek. They will be engraving bottles Knob Creek on Friday, Dec 19th, from 4pm-7pm. Have it engraved with a personal message. But keep it clean, will you? Santa is watching.
Steel Toe Brewing’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale Returns
It is that time of year. No, not the holidays, big beer season. That time of year when Minnesotans look for a beer with a little extra warming factor to help us fight the cold weather. Just in time to get you through the next cold snap Steel Toe Brewing’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale returns next week.
This copper colored beer showcases the the maltier, sweeter side beer. The side of beer that often gets ignored in favor the latest IPA with experimental hops from Yakima, New Zealand, or Parts Unknown.
The Scotch Ale will be tapped in the Steel Toe Brewing taproom on Friday, Dec 20th, for $5/10oz pour. There will be a bottle release at noon the following day on Saturday, Dec 21st. At $10/750 you can afford to grab a couple and stash some in the cellar for a vertical tasting sometime down the line. I know am.
Surly Brewing and Three Floyds to Release Blakkr
Surly Brewing Company has brewed another collaboration beer with Three Floyd’s in Indiana. However, this time they are bringing Real Ale Brewing from TX, in the mix.
The new brew is an Imperial Cascadian Dark Ale, or an an Imperial Black IPA, whichever you prefer. The jury is still out on how this “style” of beer will be known to future beer historians.
No word on when the beer will be released. The shortest day of the year is Dec 21st, and would be a cool day to launch a beer named Blakkr.
The beer will be available in 16oz cans in Minnesota, 22oz bottles in IN. No word yet on how this three headed monster will be packaged in TX.
Minnesota Beer Activists Bash at Dangerous Man Brewing Co. Dec 14th
Join MN Beer Activists Saturday, December 14th, from 12p-6pm, at Dangerous Man Brewing Company for a fundraiser of epic proportions. Minnesota’s consumer beer organization is raising capital to help pay for some the group’s operational expenses the only way they know how: with a party.
The event, sponsored by Zoss Media and Loop Commercial Advisors, will feature a Belgian Blonde Ale named “Achaic” as nod to some of Minnesota’s antiquated liquor laws.
A number of Minnesota brewers, liquor stores, and supporters have donated items for a silent auction. The silent auction items range from autographed Minnesota Vikings memorabilia, to art, a private brewer’s reception, and an opportunity to brew a commercial beer with Dangerous Man Brewing.
Local food vendor Potter’s Pasties & Pies are catering the event with traditional savory English pastries filled with meat and/or vegetables. A perfect fit for a chilly afternoon in Minneapolis.
In addition to the food, beer, and silent auction items, Shameless Inc. Screen Printing will be live screen printing t-shirts on site featuring original artwork from Enoch Peterson from 12pm-4pm
Fulton Worthy Adversary Returns
No, Worthy Adversary isn’t the winter weather, it is Fulton Brewing’s winter seasonal, a Russian Imperial Stout.
This big boy comes in at 10% ABV and is perfect for drinking this time of year, or perhaps a few winters from now. Worthy Adversary ages well, and would be a welcomed addition to any cellar or Brewbicle.
You can get your first taste of this year’s Worthy Adversary starting on Saturday at the Fulton Brewery Taproom. Begining at noon, growlers will be for sale ($18/fill) and the beer will be on tap ($5/12 oz pour).
Infographic: Prohibition Yesterday and Today
It has been 80 years since the repeal of prohibition. Several states, including Minnesota, still suffer from the fallout with archaic laws like 3.2 ABW beer, and the prohibition of liquor sales on Sunday. Minnesota doesn’t have it as bad as some in the bible belt, but we aren’t that far off.
Check out the latest exhibit at the Minnesota History to see how prohibition didn’t decrease alcohol abuse but increased it, didn’t eliminate crime but created it, didn’t increase prosperity but robbed the treasury of taxes.
Maybe someday soon Minnesota will get its act together and finish repealing prohibition. After all, if repealing prohibition makes sense 6 days a week, why doesn’t it make sense everyday?
Video: Bartley Blume of Bent Brewstillery
Bartley Blume, owner and operator of Bent Brewstillery talks about the upcoming launch parties at Grumpy’s and Stout’s, the beers, the booze, and the future of Bent Brewstillery.
