Surly Brewing Co. CEO Omar Ansari announced today on social media and an email newsletter that his brewery will be putting their annual Darkness Day festivities on hold indefinitely. Pulling no punches, the state’s third-largest brewery placed the blame for their festival’s hiatus squarely at the feet of local lawmakers. The craft beer industry is … [ Read more]
In largest Great American Beer Festival competition ever, two Minnesota breweries score gold
October 6, 2019 by
Out of over 100 categories judged at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), Minnesota breweries medaled in four, including two golds. St. Paul’s Barrel Theory Beer Company took a gold medal in the specialty Berliner category for Midwest Exotic, a gose with calamansi, blood orange, tangerine, and peach. “Super cool,” Barrel Theory co-founder Brett … [ Read more]
Bob Was There: From Town Hall to BlackStack, Bob DuVernois’ career spans Minnesota’s craft beer history
July 2, 2019 by
Ask any old-school brewer how their fire was lit and the answer will almost always be, “I started homebrewing…” This holds true for Bob DuVernois, head brewer at BlackStack Brewing. His spark came in 1979 when he tasted a dark beer made by a friend’s father. Not a fan of the macro lagers that monopolized the … [ Read more]
Update: Omnibus Liquor Bill passed in senate without Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild-supported amendments
April 4, 2019 by
Updated on April 4, 2019 at 2:00pm: The Omnibus Liquor Bill was passed by the Minnesota State Senate without two amendments supported by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MCBG). The Growler Cap Bill (S.F. 1737) was offered for debate by Sen. Housley, who altered the amendment by dropping the cap for breweries to sell growlers … [ Read more]
Minnesota brewers keeping it classy at Winterfest 2018 [PHOTOS]
February 19, 2018 by
Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild‘s annual Winterfest returned to St. Paul’s Union Depot Saturday night for a sophisticated evening of beer drinking. In a new format this year, local restaurants were paired up with a group of Minnesota breweries, and brought one standout dish to complement their partners’ beer. Minnesota BBQ Company carved up some seriously … [ Read more]
Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild 2018 Winterfest brewery and restaurant pairings announced
January 31, 2018 by
For 16 years, Winterfest has been filled to the brim with beer lovers, breweries, and brewpubs. In year 17 though organizers are kicking it up a notch, not just showcasing 100 Minnesota craft breweries, but also some of the region’s best restaurants and chefs. In a new format, a local restaurant or chef will be … [ Read more]
Winterfest moves to new location, new format for 2017
December 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Winterfest, the Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild’s cold-weather beer fest, is undergoing some changes for 2017. Previously held at the Union Depot in St. Paul, the festival is making a move over to the Legends Club of Target Field in Minneapolis, allowing space for nearly all of the Guild’s 101 members to participate in the new … [ Read more]
Stone Arch marks grand opening at MSP Airport
November 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Finding a decent beer at an airport can often be a challenge. Most airport tap towers are dominated by macro lagers and the “crafty” side of craft beer. While MSP was by no means a craft wasteland with outposts from Rock Bottom, O’Gara’s, and French Meadow, it’s getting a big boost this week with the grand … [ Read more]
Minnesota craft beer by the numbers
May 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment
With so much Minnesota-made craft beer out there today, it’s no wonder the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MCBG) sets aside 10,000 minutes each year to celebrate it. 10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer begins today, Monday, May 9 and runs through Sunday, May 15, with more than 175 special events and tappings taking place throughout … [ Read more]
All Pints North Tickets 2016 go on sale April 12
April 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Tickets for the 5th annual All Pints North Summer Brew Fest—one of Minnesota’s largest craft beer festivals with more than 100 breweries on tap—go on sale at noon, Tuesday, April 12. This year’s festival is happening on Saturday, July 23, from 3–7pm at the Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. Last year, more than 3,500 craft beer fans attended the sold … [ Read more]
New craft beer restaurant taking flight at MSP
January 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Craft beer lovers from around the world are about to be treated to some of Minnesota’s finest at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Stone Arch, a new Minnesota craft-beer restaurant that will be located in the former Chili’s space in the airport mall, near the entrance to Concourse F, is on pace to open this summer … [ Read more]
New board members, renewed focus: The latest at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild
January 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
When Indeed Brewing Company opened their doors and joined the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MCBG) in 2012, the Guild’s membership consisted of about 20 breweries. Today, as Indeed co-founder Tom Whisenand gets ready to assume the role of president of the Guild’s board of directors, that number is pushing 100. As the industry has rapidly grown and … [ Read more]
More beer for your buck with Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Ticket Packages
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild has announced their 2016 festival line-up AND a special ticket package that will save you some cash on a ticket package to their entire year of beer sampling. At noon, Tuesday, December 1, the guild will release online ticket sales for packages to its 2016 craft beer festivals. 2016 Minnesota Craft … [ Read more]
Autumn Brew Review 2015 Recap
September 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
There is a quote often attributed to Benjamin Franklin that reads, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” While the evidence suggests the original quote was about wine and not beer, craft beer fans will never argue with the sentiment. Nor would anyone argue with the phrase, “Autumn Brew Review … [ Read more]
Smack Shack, Angel Food, Republic, more craft beer, approved for MSP Airport
August 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Metropolitan Airport Commission has approved new concession bids for MSP Airport and some familiar Twin Cities food luminaries will be taking up residence in Terminal 1. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, Smack Shack, Angel Food Bakery, and Republic (Seven Corners location pictured, above) are among the new vendors that will have access to the 35 … [ Read more]
