MN Beer Activists Andrew Schmitt and Sean Cooke stop by Wabasha Brewing for a sneak peek at the new St. Paul brewery opening (hopefully) in the next few weeks.

Sen. Dave Osmek (R -Mound) introduced the first Senate version of a Sunday liquor sales bill, SF58. SF58 would allow off-sale transactions from 12:00pm to 10:00pm on Sundays. Expect another version at some point from long time Sunday sales champion Sen. Roger Reinert (D -Duluth).

Tickets for 2015 Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild festivals are on-sale beginning at noon, Monday, January 5th. These events are among the best in region, and the bulk purchase is your best way to make sure you have your spot. These events will sell out, so if you can swing the cash it is worth it.

Du Nord Craft Spirits, one of Minnesota’s first micro-distilleries, is now the first licensed cocktail room in the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area. The cocktail room will open to the public on January 9, and will serve craft cocktails made using Du Nord’s Fitzgerald Gin and L’etoile Du Nord Vodka.

I don’t know how many times I’ve been in a situation where I don’t have any beer and I’m not comfortable driving or too lazy to get to the liquor store to buy more. When I heard about Drink Fly, an app for iPhone and Android phones, I couldn’t wait to give it a try.

The Surly Beer Hall kitchen, led by Chef Jorge Guzman, is offering up a small, but mighty menu featuring a variety of chef-driven, beer-focused food items. “It’s fuckin’ awesome!” says the new Executive Chef describing the excitement to be a part of such a large project.

Red Wagon Pizza Co serves 36 beers on tap, offers an eclectic list of 20 moderately-priced wines by the glass, and has lines dedicated to sours and ciders. A certified beer nut, Peter curates the 36 tap lines himself.

Eastlake Brewery & Taproom opened Thursday in the Midtown Global Market after a busy preview night. Wednesday was full of energy with staff and neighboring businesses passing out hearty food samples to accompany the beers. Manny’s Tortas, anyone?