photo courtesy of The Herkimer Pub
Beer at The Herkimer Pub
So a week gives you 10,080 total minutes. 2,500 to 3,000 of them will be spent working. About 3,360 will be cashed in on sleep. And then a large chunk of those leftover minutes will dedicate to errands/eating/commuting/exercise/etc. So the question is, how can you squeeze lots of beer drinking into those precious remaining minutes? The answer is Minnesota Craft Beer Week and all the events that the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild has planned across the state that let you “citra down” and tap into different ways to unwind.
10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer is a full week of Minnesota Craft Beer events that kick your standard happy hour up a notch up. Here are some of the highlights happening at a brewery near you:
Monday, May 9:
At BLVD Kitchen & Bar in Minnetonka, not only can you enjoy happy hour all day long with 612 Brew, but you can also score some free pint glasses and meet the brewers while you drink it. Head to Barrio in Edina or downtown Minneapolis for a craft beer dinner—enjoy five courses and beer pairings for $65. If you’re looking to try a different flavor, The Herkimer is hosting a release party for Tooler’s Weiss, in celebration of the warmer months.
photo courtesy of Maple Island Brewing
Tuesday, May 10:
If you’re already in a summer mindset, head to Maple Island Brewing’s patio kickoff event in Stillwater. Food trucks, live music, and new brews included. Become a beer connoisseur at Tin Whiskers when you register for the Beer Nerd Off-Flavor Training Course. If art was your favorite subject, you can register for a different class at 10K Brewing in Anoka—take the classic wine and paint night and replace it with beer for Pints & Paint. Each participant receives a flight of beer to boost those creative juices while working on that canvas painting. If you can’t make it out to any breweries this day, no worries! Tune into our own Stephanie March’s Beer, Wine and Spirits Show on myTalk 107.1 with special guest Dustin Brau from Brau Brothers. Enjoy MN Craft Beer Week from the comfort of your own home and learn about the ever-growing popularity of the craft beer scene.
photo courtesy of Urban Growler
Wednesday, May 11:
Sour lovers rejoice, because Acadia Café is hosting the Minnesota Sour Showcase, featuring beers from Indeed and Schell’s, among others. At Urban Growler, take a tour with Deb Loch, one of the first women to run and own a brewery in Minnesota. Meet some more brewers at 56 Brewing in St. Anthony for games, prizes, and a new stout release.
photo courtesy of Lakes and Legends
Thursday, May 12:
Able Seedhouse + Brewery will drop their beer off at some familiar Northeast joints, including the Able Taproom, Red Wagon Pizza, Brasa Rotisserie NE, and the The Mill. Total Wine and More in Roseville has a Thirsty Thursday Tasting 4-7p.m., hosted by Brau Brothers Brewing Co. If you like a little cheese with your beer, head over to Lakes & Legends Brewing for a tasting class with France 44 Cheese Shop.
photo courtesy of Boom Island
Friday, May 13:
Bauhaus Brew Labs and Fair State Brewing Cooperative teamed up to bring you Helles beer, which makes it debut at Republic's Lagerfest, while Grumpy’s NE brings you Firkin Friday, offering Boom Island Brewing’s Spicy Boom roll beer. The infamous drink includes Brimstone tripel, with pickled ginger, and a bit of wasabi and nori. Afterwards, shake off any bad luck that may have come your way with a DJ and dance party at 612 Brew.
Saturday, May 14:
Though you can never predict Minnesota weather, we like to remain optimistic and hope it stays nice for the Biking Brewery Tour, where you can grab your bike and explore Lakes & Legends, Sisyphus, and Eastlake Brewing. It doesn’t get any cuter with Boom Island Brewing’s Pints & Pups fundraising event for local dog adaption. Meanwhile, Insight Brewing will be hosting a cask party for four different IPAs. Hip Hop & Hops strikes again at LynLake Brewery, for a night of hip-hop from various artists.
Of course, these are just a fraction of the events going on. See the full list here.
