MPR Midmorning has my attention with their segment on the long history of beermaking in Minnesota.
From the Civil War through prohibition and the rise of mega-breweries, the August Schell Brewing company has seen its share of ups and downs but managed to survive, and thrive. As Schell's celebrates 150 years in business, Midmorning looks at the company's colorful history, and the history of brewing in Minnesota.
One of the guests is Doug Hoverson, the author of Minnesota, land of 'Amber Waters'. (Hear him at MPR: Minnesota, land of 'Amber Waters')
There's no denying a local beer can be part of a local identity. But how does it intersect with your personal history? Once upon a time I remember getting water from the Schmidt's plant when it was free and taking a family tour of the Hamm's brewery. (Of course it wasn't anything like the Action Squad tour.)
As a Minnesotan and a human being who enjoys a cold one, I've picked up pull-tabs on neighborhood clean up days, sung along to the Hamm's theme, enjoyed one of Schell's offerings down the way from Hermann the German, watched the rise of Summit, and generally benefited from the renewed interest in local brewing.
What is your Minnesota-based-beer story? Do you brew your own, or enjoy a local beverage? I'm listening.
-Julia
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Comments: 5
Stopped brewing my own, too much work. Easier to buy it. Also, you mostly use 22oz bottles. So, you come home from you kids Little League at night and watch the end of the Twins game, open a beer. The first one goes down easy, so, why not another? So, you've now had two 22 oz high potency beers, so thats almost 4 bottles of high octane beer, waking up hung over wasn't worth it.
I've got a Lays potato chip problem with beer. "I cannot have just one", so my beer drinking is limited. Can only drink if I know I'm not driving. In don't want a DWI for blowing a .08, I don't need the calories, you eat more when drinking, and I can better spend my money. I couldn't afford to be an alcoholic.
Surley Cynic, the most unique tasting beer around.
Stouts, porters, Scotch ales, anything you can eat with a fork.
None of those "sex in a canoe" beers. ???? F*&#ing close to water. Except an ocasional Grain Belt Premium.
Ah, I should be so "stuck." ;-)
Not surprised you like the darker/stout beers, Winston, I think we've talked about it before. FWIW I actually don't mind the lighter beers, they're pretty refreshing. We call them "Barley Pop" and it's a good cooler for summer.
Joe Soucheray says that the hotter it gets, the less important the quality of beer is needed after mowing a lawn.