We have a very important announcement. Today, April 7, is National Beer Day in America. But this is no run-of-the-mill “National _____ Day” (although it also happens to be National No Housework Day, feel free to observe that as you wish), for this day stands in history as a crucial precursor to the full repeal … [ Read more]
Smithsonian announces new initiative to document brewing history
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History announced today at the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Philadelphia that it will launch a three-year initiative to collect, document, and preserve the history of brewing, craft brewers, and the beer industry to explore how the beverage and brewing connect to larger themes in American history. … [ Read more]
America’s Ice Box: How the frozen lakes and rivers of the North transformed the nation’s brewing industry
Today, “ice harvest” means grabbing a few cubes from the tray in the freezer. But in the 19th century, before modern refrigeration, ice harvesting from frozen lakes and rivers was a major Midwestern industry that required hard labor and careful planning—all to preserve food and lager beer across the country. When immigrants reached the Upper … [ Read more]
The comic book history of beer
The history of beer has been told many times before, but never quite like this. Illustrator Aaron McConnell, writer Jonathan Hennessey and professional brewer Mike Smith have collaborated to create “The Comic Book Story of Beer: The World’s Favorite Beverage from 7000 BC to Today’s Craft Brewing Revolution.” The book, which covers the early days of … [ Read more]
A bus ride into Minneapolis’ brewing history
Minnesota Historical Society tours offer an in-depth look at the stories behind Minnesota’s beer industry Minneapolis and St. Paul aren’t the oldest cities on the Mississippi River—in fact, they aren’t even the oldest in the Metro. St. Anthony pre-dated Minneapolis before it was absorbed into the larger Mill City. Regardless, at 166 years young there … [ Read more]
Schell’s Purchasing Historic Grain Belt Sign, Hopes to Relight the Minneapolis Icon
August Schell Brewing Company, the New Ulm, MN-based makers of Grain Belt beer, have announced an agreement to purchase the iconic Grain Belt Beer sign on Nicollet Island. The brewery will donate the sign to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and with their help — and the support of a few other entities — plans to restore the sign to turn the … [ Read more]