Thursday promises to be a fun night of beer at Stanley’s NE. The crew from Third Street Brewhouse in Cold Spring will be on hand to sample their first three beers (a black IPA, a cream ale and a brown ale), which should hit shelves and draft lines in July. With a team that includes Horace Cunningham (formerly of Summit Brewing and Terrapin) as well as Bob McKenzie (Sherlock’s Home, Granite City) and Chris Laumb (O’Hara’s, McCann’s). St. Paul Summer Beer Fest “luminaries” will also be on hand and giving away tickets every half hour. Good times. 5-7pm.

Photo: StudioSchulz.com

Ready your “GregFace” if you’re so inclined and spend an evening with Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Stone Brewing Co this weekend. Check out these events.

Greg will be at Republic on Friday, May 25  from 7-8:30pm, and of course the Stone beers will be flowing: Arrogant Bastard Ale, along with several special releases: Double Dry Hopped Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Stone Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers,  Stone Imperial Russian Stout, and Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine.

On Sunday, May 27th from 8-9:30pm, the St. Cloud area gets a taste of Stone at Old Capital Tavern in Sauk Rapids. Stone beers on tap that evening include: Stone Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone IPA, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, and Stone Ruination IPA.

More info on other stops as we get them. We know, for example, that he’ll be at Tilia for a beer dinner on June 3rd. Cheers!

Today Better Beer Society announced that they have partnered with The Butcher & the Boar for the the second event in their “Brown Bag Blind Tasting Event”. The event will be held on June 30th in the beer garden at The Butcher & the Boar.

The theme for Series #2 is “Summer Session: Backyard BBQ Beers” and will feature 28 taps paired with summer flavors. The goal is to expose participants to beer pairing techniques, with a nod to backyard bbqing.

The event will guide guests through four categories of blind samples paired with a different small plate, designed to accentuate both the beer and the food. Sounds like a blast!

This event will sell out. Get your tickets now at www.betterbeersociety.com

The Better Beer Society is a multi-faceted agency dedicated to the growth and promotion of craft beer; focusing on quality control in our restaurants and bars, as well as hosting creative events, based upon educating the MN craft beer community.

This is the second event in our series of blind tasting events; all designed to challenge and educate your palate. Our aim is to get you thinking and talking about the aromas and flavors that you are experiencing, as well as get rid of any preconceptions one may have about certain beer styles.

Michael Dawson from Northern Brewer Homebrew Supply & Brewing TV gets some one-on-one time with Summit Brewing Company’s Mark Stutrud to discuss Summit’s new year-round American IPA release “Saga IPA.”

Good times ensue.

You need something to look forward to as you settle into the week. Keep your eyes on the Beer & Beast prize at Acadia Cafe. $12 gets you beef fajitas with all the trimmings and Harriet Pilsner.

Boom Island’s fourth beer, Brimstone makes its way to market this week with a release party at Eli’s East on Tuesday starting at 4:30 followed by a bottle release at the brewery on Wednesday from 5-8.

At  Eli’s East from 4:30-6:30pm, there will be special pricing on Brimstone and a Boom Island Tap Takeover featuring all four Boom Island beers on tap as well as special beer recipes, pairings and more.

On Wednesday, you can head over to the brewery (2207 North 2nd Street, Minneapolis) from 5-8pm for the first crack at bottles of Brimstone.  Brimstone is priced at $10 per 750ml bottle (tax included) with a limit of two per person. Kevin and the rest of the staff will be on hand to answer questions, and you’re welcome to take a peek at the brewery.

The Beer: Color: Light Blond Flavor: Slight Sweetness layered over subtle yet complex spiciness Strength: 9.5% ABV (The important part) -A true example of the Belgian Abbey tradition of brewing, one of which I personally am very, very proud.

The first firkin of Summit’s Saga IPA rolls out to Old Chicago in Minnetonka on Tuesday at 6pm. This one has been dry-hopped with Citra hop  Samples and giveaways as well!

They also rustled up artwork for Sÿx, which translates roughly into “six” for those of you who don’t speak metal. Surly Sÿx is a wood-aged American Strong Ale that’ll weigh in around 15%. Please don’t fuck it up and it Styx. Again, click to see a bigger version.

Brewing TV is celebrating May Day with homebrew. BTV associate Joe Giambruno drops some knowledge and history as he goes old-school on a double-decocted maibock at Northern Brewer Minneapolis. Joe and Chip then join homeboy Andrew Bartelson for tasting notes at his annual May Day Parade party in South Minneapolis. Brew, Share & Enjoy!

Tonight (Thursday May 17th) from 6pm-9pm Old Chicago in Minnetonka will be celebrating American Craft Beer week with local and national beers in support of Craftworks Foundation, an organization that helps the hungry and homeless. They’ll have 10+ breweries featuring 20+ beers as well as some tasty food. Tickets are $25 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Craftworks Foundation helping the hungry and homeless.