The very dapper Lift Bridge Brewing Co.
In a flurry of snow and icy temps Winterfest 2013 has come and gone. The Minnesota History Center played host to the annual festival put on by the MN Craft Brewer’s Guild on Friday February 1st in St. Paul. This event, while potentially prohibitive in cost for some, offered an intimate setting to sample craft brews from 38 of Minnesota’s great breweries. This year showcased the staples of the MN breweries, and also welcomed a slew of new breweries.
Borealis Fermentery
As there were only 750 tickets sold, attendants were given the opportunity to talk with the brewers about their craft while sampling some tasty offerings without having to wait in lengthy lines.
Harriet Brewing Co.
It would be impractical to list all the great beers that were sampled, but some definitely stood out. A smashing availability of winter seasonals were on display but that wasn’t the only thing on tap. A few personal favorites were Bemidji Brewing Co’s Sour Red, Fitger’s barrel aged Edmund Bourbon Imperial Stout, Fulton’s Double IPA, Lift Bridge’s Silhouette, Borealis’ Homdinger and of course all the new breweries representing Nordeast Minneapolis.
The Snowshoe for Best of the Fest was again awarded for to Barley John’s Brew Pub for best beer as well as best brewery as voted by the crowd. Congratulations for consecutive years with the Snowshoe!
Thank you to the MN Craft Brewer’s Guild for putting on an impressive festival once again! I’m sure many of the attendants woke up today thankful this only happens once a season.
Surly Brewing Co.