Wow. Holy shit even. Lots & lots of Goose Island events in Minnesota next week. Goose Island is sending up Tom Korder, brewery innovation manager. He is the brewer who is responsible for our managing their barrel aged brews, sour ales and coming up with any new and exciting Goose Island brews. They are also bringing up Suzanne Wolcott who is Goose Island’s education director. She spent years as a cheese monger and is very informative when it comes to taste training.

Check ’em out:

When: Sunday 10/16 starting at 4PM

Where: Muddy Waters Bar and Eatery

What: We will be holding a beer and food pairing seminar as well as a tap invasion.  On tap that evening we will feature: Matilda, Sofie, Pepe Nero, Pere Jacques, 2009 Nightstalker and Mynx Belgian IPA.  From 4pm-5pm we will have a VIP hour where for $20 you will be treated to unlimited samples of all of the Goose Island offerings on tap.  We will also have (for the first time together in MN) Goose Island’s Three Sisters available for purchase.  If you have never heard of the Three Sisters before, they are 3 extremely rare sour ales from Goose Island named Juliet, Lolita and Madame Rose.  Tom Korder from Goose Island will also be hosting a seminar on how to properly pair food and beer and the chef Scott Hurlbut will be coming up with a specially paired tasting menu for the evening.

When: Monday 10/17 starting at 7PM

Where: The Muddy Pig

What: Tom Korder and Suzanne Wolcott will be hosting a seminar on comparing classic vs contemporary Belgian style ales. They will conduct a comparison tasting of four of Goose Island’s Belgian Style Ales vs four actual Belgian Ales that inspired us to brew them. Tasting samples and meat and cheese plates will be provided for everyone who attends the class for only $20. You can sign up at The Muddy Pig. Space is limited for this seminar. We will also have a mini tap invasion that evening featuring: Matilda, Sofie, Pepe Nero, Pere Jacques and Mynx Belgian IPA all on draft. There will also be a very limited supply of The Three Sisters Sour Ales (Juliet, Lolita and Madame Rose) made available first to people who attend the seminar.

When: Tuesday 10/18 starting at 6PM

Where: The Happy Gnome

What: Goose Island Beer Dinner.  Come and learn why Goose Island has created their vintage and extreme beer line with Suzanne Wolcott and Tom Korder.  Suzanne is the “expert” on food and how to incorporate food with enjoying beer, while Tom has the huge responsibility of coming up with new brews for Goose Island.  And then add an amazing 5 course meal from The Happy Gnome’s executive chef Scott Brink…a night of true enjoyment.  Planned beer line up:  Matilda, Pere Jacques, Pepe Nero, Dominique, Nightstalker ‘09 (yep, we’ve had this one waiting for the right night), and then Bourbon County Stout ‘07 (the BCS is bottled, rest are kegs).  Tickets are available at www.thehappygnome.com

When: Wednesday 10/19 starting at 7PM

Where: Hautedish

What: The Goose Island crew will stopping at Hautedish with a very limited supply of 2007 Bourbon County Stout.  There may be a few other surprise goodies at this event.  Make sure you stop by!

When: Thursday 10/20 starting at 6PM

Where: The Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center

What: Goose Island Beer and small plate dinner for Brooklyn Center Municipal Liquors Beer Club.  Join us for a 5 courses paired by Tom Korder from Goose Island.  The featured beers for the event will include: Sofie, Matilda, Pepe Nero, Pere Jacques and 2007 Bourbon County Stout.  For more information on how to join the Brooklyn Center Municipal Liquor Beer Club email Tastingclub@brooklyncenterliquor.com or call either of the stores.