The winter of '08-'09 has been a big, brutal kick-in-the-ass for most Midwesterners. The beers at the Minnesota Craft Brewer's Guild's Winterfest lived up to the theme. Most of the 18 brewers brought their boldest specialty beers: extra-hoppy, extra-malty, extra- delicious. This year the guild decided to move the event from the Landmark Center in St. Paul to another St. Paul location, the Minnesota History Center. Beautiful venue, with a gorgeous view of the Minnesota State Capitol out ceiling-high windows. Since the majority of the museum was kept off-limits, the brewers' booths were lined along the hallways. That forced some, shall we say, extra coziness for the 900-some beer lovers in attendance. The Guild knows nothing goes better with good beer than good food, so they generously provided tables laden with great hors d'oeuvres. Live music from a group called the Jaztronauts lent to the classy feel of the occasion. By festival-goer vote, this year's Best of the Fest (otherwise known as The Great Snowshoe Award) went to Bourbon One by Surly Brewing in Brooklyn Center, a Minneapolis suburb. A worthy win for a brewery that opened just a few years ago, but has already become one of the most-beloved craft brewers of the Midwest. Keeping with the Winterfest theme of big beers, Bourbon One was a rich, malty, bourbon-flavored punch to the mouth. Intense but delicious. We recommend getting tickets to next year's Winterfest (this year they were $45), but once they go on sale you better move fast-- they sold out within hours this year. |
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| Minnesota Craft Brewer's Guild's Winterfest February 6th, 2009 |
| Cheers! Michael and Chris |
| Looking down to one of the three levels that festival-goers filled. |
| The crew from the Brewers Supply Group of Shakopee. |
| Four of the 900+ craft beer fanatics. |
| Four of the lovely ladies in attendance. |
| Michael and Chris decide what to have next. |
| The guys from Cold Spring Brewing pause for a photo. |
| Damon gathers some video. See the finished product to the right! |
| These very cool sampler glasses were provided for all. |
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| Truly some of the best beer-festival food we've ever had. |
| The girls from Vine Park Brewing shared some of the recipes you can make for yourself at their St. Paul facility. |
| Michael, Gustavo from The Herkimer, and Chris. |
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