The Mill: Beer Week Redux, Art-A-Whirl, Omnibus

By John Garland

Daniel Murphy // DM Photo

The Mill has unthawed and now spring has us tumbling through the rinse cycle. But the forecast is looking bright and sunny for Thursday’s Saints home opener (where the Beer Dabbler Bullpen will be pouring some fine local suds).

Events Coming Up:

Hot on the heels of MN Craft Brew’s 10,000 Minutes, it’s now American Craft Beer Week. Check out the official national events calendar, and filter for Minnesota to view the crazy amount of specials happening around town.

We’re helping throw a Beerfest at the MIA on Thursday, and Art-A-Whirl festivities will hit 612Brew and Indeed Brewing this weekend.

Hudson’s American Sky Brewing will host a party to debut their Dogfight Sorachi Ace Saison, this Saturday the 17th, from noon to 10pm. They’ll have Dogfight on tap and in 750ml bottles, plus live music and a couple food trucks.

And next week is cider week at Town Hall. Join them at the seven corners brewery on Monday the 19th for a cider seminar and dinner, featuring reps from Aspall, Crispin and Sociable Cider Werks. Then, check out an Aspall tasting at Town Hall Lanes on Tuesday the 20th.

Brew News:

Badger Hill’s Traitor IPA is now getting around in six-packs – Lift Bridge has Getaway Pilsner in tallboys – the new LTD Brewing in Hopkins is hiring – Moorhead’s Junkyard Brewing has signed a lease on a new location, taproom forthcoming.

Spirits Update:

Far North Spirits Ålander Rum is now filtering out to stores—and I’ll be chatting about this and more with John Hines on 830 WCCO Radio this morning at 11:10am.

Liquor Omnibus:

The full bill, minus Sunday growler sales, is on its way to Governor Dayton’s desk. The House chamber removed the growler provision, saying DFL leaders in the Senate—and pressure from the Teamster’s union—would not allow it to pass. Read Briana Bierschbach’s terrific recap of all the omnibus drama over at MinnPost.

So, while a small setback for breweries, it’s good news for the bill’s other provisions—including ones for microdistilleries to host cocktail rooms and an extension of bar hours during this summer’s MLB All-Star Game festivities.

The Mill is The Growler’s brand new weekly round-up of all things imbibing. Have any inside info? Email j[email protected]