You can decide what this might mean. And “nothing” is an OK answer.
Lew Bryson writes that he’s off to Miami, where he and Stephen Beaumont are both making presentations to beer industry members at the Cheers Beverage Conference. That’s Miami, as in Florida.
I, on the other hand, soon will be bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul, as in Minnesota. It has warmed up since Sunday, when it apparently didn’t get above zero in parts of the Twin Cities, but I’m packing long underwear rather than shorts.
I’ll mostly be judging some of the 828 beers entered in the Upper Mississippi Mash-Out and hanging with homebrewers. I also will stand up and talk briefly about brewing the sort of beers included in Brew Like a Monk.
And maybe drinking a few local beers.
Might I just suggest? Summit, Summit, Summit, and maybe Surly (though I haven’t had that pleasure yet). The Summit brews have become a real favorite of mine.
I hope the southwest hasn’t ruined your midwest blood for life, Stan — stay warm. Though I see Chicago’s looking for a heatwave come Saturday, we could be basking in 35 high temps. Ought to feel like spring.
BTW — I like the color of the beer in your vintage ad, but North Pole cold?
I hope you have fun in my fair city. Minneapolis/St. Paul has more than just Summit. We’ve got great brewpubs in Town Hall, Barley Johns, and Great Waters. Flat Earth, who started last year, have a great porter. Surly have their special releases: their anniversary beer Two available as well as their excellent Mild.
It means: Real men brave the elements. The rest go south.
(I’m kidding! I’m kidding!)
But baby, it’s cold up here (I’m four hours south of Mpls./St. Paul). We’re having REAL winter.
It’s gonna be a fun contest, it always is. I’ve been judging at it for four years. and luckily for Stan, the forecast calls for temps 40º warmer than last weekend. Did you see Tom Coughlin’s face during the Packers-Giants game? that’s what we all looked like on Saturday up here…
and Stan, do you like mead? in case you weren’t aware, two of the past three AHA Meadmakers of the Year are from St. Paul. we know our way around the honey up here…
Danno – judging Belgian strongs and meads can be a dangerous combination.
judging Belgian strongs and meads can be a dangerous combination.
But oh so enjoyable!
I was wrangled into judging meads at the Great Lakes Beer Fest a couple years ago (I think it was with Jeff Sparrow) — no one else was around or available — throw me in that briar patch! 🙂
S.
well Stan, I’ve seen the preliminary judging lineup, you won’t have to balance Belgians with the meads, I’m just letting you know that there will undoubtedly be some peer pressure to sample some meads Friday night… there is one particular place, affectionately called the “black hole of St. Paul”, where some (lots of) very fine meads are served, often well into the night during competitions…
here’s my judging lineup: Barleywines, Saisons, Kolsch and Am. Wheats, Euro Amber Lagers, Spice/Herb/Veggie, and IPA’s…
Steve, when I hit Chi-town in March, I’ll bring you some Surly…
A discussion in the Beer Mapping Forums a while back makes me think Surly is already in Chicago.
“Steve, when I hit Chi-town in March, I’ll bring you some Surly…”
I’ll look forward to it!
Stan, I think the Surly is available, but very limited — and only in the city IIRC (maybe only on tap too).
From the Surly web site (well, not that the site’s surly, but…)
Chicago, – We will have limited availability in the Chicago area. Call the bars if you need to be sure.
7 bars, all downtown. 🙁
When I was in the twin cities for a weekend a while back, I had to hit up 3-4 liquor stores but eventually found canned Surly for sale. Definitely worth the effort. I think the brewery is open for a couple of hours every Saturday for growler sales. At the brewery, they had a coffee beer that was the most incredible coffee beer I have had to date. Maybe you’ll get lucky.