The Growler’s review of the new foods at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair was supported by underwriting partner Save the Boundary Waters. Growler food editor James Norton was joined by writers Amy Rea and Maja Ingeman; photographers Becca Dilley, Brenda Johnson, Victoria Campbell, and Sarah McGee; and illustrator Terri Myers Wentzka. Bristling with heat, spice, … [ Read more]
The Good, The Bad, and The Ribbon-Worthy: Tasting notes of 48 new drinks at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair
August 22, 2019 by
The Growler’s review of the new beverages at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair was supported by underwriting partner Maltwerks, a Midwest malt house focused on genuine relationships in offering quality, locally produced, traceable malt. Cotton candy and toasted pumpkin seeds, lavender and passion fruit, Red Bull and White Claw—together at last. There’s no lack of … [ Read more]
Review: Every new food at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair
August 24, 2018 by
The Growler’s review of the new foods at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair was supported by underwriting partner, Save the Boundary Waters. Growler food editor James Norton was joined by tasters Ted Held, Amy Rea, and Sarah McGee. Photography by Becca Dilley, Brenda Johnson, and Sarah McGee; illustrations by Terri Myers Wentzka. The Minnesota State Fair is … [ Read more]
Best in Show: Four State Fair judges reveal what it takes to bring home a ribbon
August 1, 2018 by
Most people associate the Minnesota State Fair with seas of sweaty bodies, rickety Mighty Midway rides, and the inevitable fried food hangover induced by delicacies like Pronto Pups, cheese curds, and a beautiful union resulting in something called the “Pizzarito.” Yet its core purpose remains the same after more than 150 years: to celebrate the … [ Read more]
The Growler’s Complete Guide to Beer at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair
July 31, 2018 by
You can almost sense its arrival—the faraway hoofbeat of livestock, the clank of carnival rides, the waft of frier grease in the air. Yes, the Minnesota State Fair is upon us once again. You’re going to need a beer. Since the launch of Lift Bridge Mini Donut in 2013, the Fair has engendered the zaniest output from … [ Read more]
Minnesota State Fair announces final acts for this year’s Grandstand lineup
May 8, 2018 by
In natural Minnesotan fashion, we’re already looking past summer to the arrival of the Minnesota State Fair. We can’t help it! We’re gluttons for seasonal punishment (or just really love eating fried food among thousands of our closest friends.) With the announcement of the final three acts, the full 2018 Grandstand Concert Series has been … [ Read more]
Tasting Notes: What we thought of the new Minnesota State Fair beers
August 25, 2017 by
We came, we saw, we drank. After a whirlwind tour of the new adult beverages at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair, here are some of our key takeaways: It’s A Great Year for Regular Beer Bent Paddle Mosaic Kanū (Ball Park Cafe) is exactly the light and floral session beer you want to wash down a … [ Read more]
The Growler’s Complete Guide to Beer at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair
August 17, 2017 by
The Minnesota State Fair is known for its golden brown, deliciously deep fried foods on-a-stick, but there’s another culinary crusade those of us 21 and older can undertake—sampling through all the creative beer concoctions. The Growler is here to guide you on your quest for beer during the 12 days of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. … [ Read more]
The Mash-Up: Oktoberfests are coming! Plus, State Fair specialty beers are announced
August 11, 2017 by
With well over 100 breweries now pouring their beer in Minnesota, there’s always something new to try. To keep you up-to-date, we present The Mash-Up—our weekly rundown of new beers and seasonal releases in Minnesota from your favorite local and national breweries. Visit growlermag.com every Friday for the latest or sign up for a weekly … [ Read more]
The Mill: Minnesota State Fair beers, Cheers Wisconsin!, and craft brewing industry report
August 8, 2017 by
August 2–August 8 August is here, and the anticipation for the Minnesota State Fair is building. This year’s specialty beers include old favorites like Lift Bridge’s Mini Donut and new offerings include a beer malt—all available at the Great Minnesota Get Together from August 24 to September 4. In national news, the midyear craft brewing … [ Read more]
Fair trial: Our favorite new State Fair libations
August 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Drinking at the Minnesota State Fair is all about balance. You don’t want anything too thick or heavy, nor anything too dry. You’re looking for something crisp and tart, light and refreshing. Something to pep you up. Something to help you slink amidst 100,000 of your closest statesmen. Something to help wash away whatever cheese and … [ Read more]
The Growler’s Complete Guide to Beer at the 2016 Minnesota State Fair
August 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Great Minnesota Get Together is back for another year of cramming everything the state has to offer into a 12-day extravaganza that sends summer off in style (or in Zubaz, but what’s the difference?). While food often gets top billing, particularly the new foods for 2016, The Growler is here to help in you in … [ Read more]
Lakes & Legends to debut Sweet Corn Summer Ale at State Fair
August 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The end of summer: a time to sink your teeth into perfectly ripened sweet corn alongside hundreds of thousands of fellow fairgoers at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. As one of the quintessential Fair foods, it was only a matter of time before someone worked Minnesota-grown sweet corn into a beer, and this year Lakes & … [ Read more]
Sociable Cider Werks to debut caramel apple cider at 2016 Minnesota State Fair
July 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Cooking caramel! #MNStateFair #CaramelApple #SociableSummer MNBeer pic.twitter.com/VkQb50Cu3X — Sociable Cider Werks (@SociableCider) August 12, 2016 When Lift Bridge first brewed their Mini Donut Beer for the Minnesota State Fair a few years back, they set off a chain reaction among Minnesota breweries that has since spawned beers like Flat Earth’s S’mores Porter and Excelsior’s Maple … [ Read more]
Minnesota State Fair announces new foods for 2016
June 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Minnesota State Fair announced 32 new food items that will grace the fryers at the upcoming Great Minnesota Get-Together. If there are three new items you’ll need to try, here are the early favorites: 1) The Carpe Diem, The Rabbit Hole, International Bazaar This looks like the sundae of our dreams. A buttermilk-miso waffle cone filled … [ Read more]
