When Homebrew Con 2017 rolls into Minneapolis next week, beer will not be the only home-fermented beverage taking the spotlight. For years now, Minnesota has been well-known (and highly awarded) for its amazing meads and amateur meadmakers. Often referred to as “honey wine,” mead is a strong, fermented beverage—usually between 10–17% ABV—made from a solution … [ Read more]
Minnesota Homebrewer Spotlight, Part 1: ‘Bad Ass’ Bryon Adams
June 5, 2017 by
As the Twin Cities gear up to host Homebrew Con 2017, the mother of all homebrew parties, at the Minneapolis Convention Center June 15–17, The Growler is spotlighting three local homebrewers that we think are pretty bad ass. And in the case of our first profile, we mean it literally. Meet “Bad Ass” Bryon Adams of Brooklyn Park. … [ Read more]
Minnesota: The State of Homebrewing
May 22, 2017 by
The eyes of the homebrewing universe will be on the Twin Cities in mid-June, and many of its citizens will pour into our hometown to celebrate their community and culture. Homebrew Con, the world’s largest annual gathering of homebrewers, will host its official conference events at Minneapolis Convention Center from June 15–17. Other beer-focused activities … [ Read more]
Lift Bridge, North Loop, & more hosting events Saturday for Homebrewers Assoc. Big Brew
May 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment
In 1988, May 7 was announced before Congress as National Homebrew Day. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) created AHA Big Brew as an annual event to celebrate National Homebrew Day and this year Big Brew falls on Saturday, May 7. Throughout the day, hundreds of bars, breweries, homebrew shops, and homebrew clubs across the country and … [ Read more]
Northern Brewer and Pints for Prostates team up to promote men’s health
April 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Northern Brewer and nonprofit group Pints for Prostates have partnered and are using a new homebrewing kit to raise awareness of prostate cancer and help those affected by the disease. Homebrew Strong combines Northern Brewer’s customary Belgian Golden Strong Ale with the powerful antioxidant properties of green tea. The beer will benefit both those who brew … [ Read more]
Ditch the green beer & brew your own this St. Patrick’s Day
March 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
If green beer isn’t your thing (and let’s be real, is it really anyone’s thing?), our friends at Northern Brewer have a different idea for your St. Patrick’s Day: brew your own traditional Irish beer. The malty, deep copper-red colored Irish Red Ale is Northern Brewer’s best-selling recipe kit, or if you like something a … [ Read more]
Homebrewers, assemble! Homebrew Con 2016 is June 9–11
March 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The 38th Annual National Homebrewers Conference, which has a snappy, new name this year—Homebrew Con 2016—is heading to Baltimore, Maryland, June 9–11. The conference, “a three-day extravaganza of homebrewing culture, companionship and competition,” is hosted by the American Homebrewers Association and features interactive seminars, workshops, and demonstrations designed for homebrewers and beer enthusiasts of every level. The … [ Read more]
Community Hops hosting fresh hop homebrew competition
September 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Homebrewers, think your fresh hop beer is capable of going the distance? Community Hops is hosting a fresh hop homebrew throwdown at its Longfellow garden from 12–3pm on Oct. 25. Members of the public will sample the entires and help choose the winners (if you plan to sample and vote, there’s a suggested donation of … [ Read more]
Duluth Homebrew Supply opens in Fitger’s complex
July 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Duluth homebrewers, start your engines! Duluth Homebrew Supply opened its doors July 16 in the Fitger’s complex. Owners and siblings Katie Hagglund and Kelly Katoski opened the store with hopes of bringing to life a vision of people gathering around a shared passion. “We started Duluth Homebrew Supply not just because we love to make great beer,” … [ Read more]
American Homebrewers Association Rally is Sunday at Surly
July 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is hosting a rally this Sunday, July 19, from 2–7pm at Surly Brewing Company, and several attendees will walk away with five gallons of Surly wort to ferment and experiment with at home. AHA rallies are meant to give AHA members an inside look at local breweries and provide homebrew and beer … [ Read more]
Winner of Homebrew Competition Will Brew Their Own Recipe at Boom Island
June 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Boom Island Brewing Company is giving one homebrewer the chance to make the jump from garage to brewhouse, but first they have to prove their mettle in a Belgian-style homebrew competition as part of the brewery’s annual Boom Days celebration, July 17-19. The grand prize winner will brew their beer on Boom Island’s 15-barrel system … [ Read more]
Homebrew Recipe: Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em Rauchweizen
April 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This recipe appears in Michael Dawson’s book, “Mashmaker: A Citizen-Brewer’s Guide to Making Great Beer at Home.” Learn more at mashmakerbook.com. In his book “The Brewmaster’s Table,” author and brewer Garrett Oliver lauds the versatility of Bavarian weissbier as a pairing companion for a wide range of dishes and cuisines. Its simultaneous sweetness, tartness, high … [ Read more]
AHA Big Brew Events in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa
April 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment
At a fundamental level, beer has always been about bringing people together. Whether you’re brewing it or drinking it (or both), there’s a good chance you’re not doing it alone. What better way to embody this tradition than to participate in one of many American Homebrewers Association (AHA) annual Big Brew events on May 2, which … [ Read more]
Homebrew Recipe: Maple 80 Shilling Presented by The Wedge Community Co-op
March 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
By Kyle Sisco and Shannon Pierce Photos courtesy of The Wedge Community Co-op Scottish Ales are known for their malty flavor, with beers ranging from easy-drinking, light bodied 2.5% Scottish Light 60 Shilling to the robust 10% Strong Scotch Ale. While Scottish Ales are not the most popular style among craft beer drinkers today, names … [ Read more]
Ale to the Chief: Presidential Homebrew
February 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Homebrewing is happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Yes, the White House! What is unique is that this is the first documented account of beer actually being brewed inside the White House. The bubbling of airlocks started last year when President Barack Obama purchased (with his own money) a homebrewing kit for the kitchen staff to … [ Read more]
