MN State Fair Beers Announced

The Growler now has barely more beer-oriented articles than Good Housekeeping. The Growler was a great source of MN beer info when it started in 2012 but it currently contains not much more than a token article on a brewer.

 

I enjoy how Skip Rock tastes.

 

Yep, it's a fine line to walk, and I appreciated @summitbeer's perspective on it. I do wonder, in seriousness, if contemporary craft beer is preparing Americans' palates for the return of malternatives, alcopops, wine coolers, etc., which are more efficient means of imparting many of the flavors we're discussing.

If you can hook 'em with the allure of fruit and convert them to appreciating the malt, hops, and yeast, you'll create decades-long customers. That's the opportunity. If half of what's available is flavored beer such that they need not ever branch into the core product, I don't think you'll retain them for long. The craft beer industry is doubling down on what I suspect is a disloyal customer base. That's the danger.

I share your frustration with The Growler. I can't help but make the analogy to the craft beer industry in general straying from its roots and dumbing down its content to reach a wider audience that is only mildly interested in beer.

 

I'm just here for the comments......

 

Posted without further comment...

"Dill Pickle Kolsch from Tin Whiskers: The giant list of new State Fair beverages was released last week, and this beer from Tin Whiskers should be on your must-try list."

 

I thought there was a dill pickle beer last year too up at Giggles. After the Maple Bacon beer experience a couple years back, I just avoid "gimmick" beers that aren't fruit.

Speaking of which, only two weeks until Schell's Sangria Red!

 

I could go either way on this one (ac/dc etc) though I had to chuckle when reading a tweet by Casanova of their recent arrivals which includes these beers: Candy Crusher, Pink Guava Funk, Tangerine Dank Juice, Apricot Juice Packets, Blueberry Raspberry Lime Fruitsicle and Pineapple IPA

 

Especially the ones that argue someone else's opinion is wrong and they should shut up. Reminds me of politics and why I don't frequent this site as much.

 

I tried the Summit 'Helles Ya, You Betcha' (very refreshing on a hot, humid Saturday afternoon) and the Excelsior 'Maple Bacon Brown' (which was a good companion to Giggle's Turducken Sausage Sandwich, but the bacon slice was a bit much).
The lines in the Horticulture Building, for the beer flights, were a bit jumbled, but an enterprising ticket seller sold tickets to those in line instead of making those in line wait to get to the ticket booth (I appreciated this effort and initiative).

 

The Bent Brewstillery Raspberry Champow was decent, and probably would be a good option for those who don't generally like beer too. I want to try Bent Paddle's Passionfruit Pils on Sunday. Did the Craft Brewer's Guild flight and probably will again, but wish you could build your own flight as each pre-selected flight inevitably has 1-2 beers I've already tried or 1-2 beers in styles I don't like.

 

I thought the pils was excellent. Definitely get it.

 

20-some years ago my beer world was roughly Primo. Since then, Summit EPA to Furious, to Bourbon County to Le Terroir to Heady Topper to King Sue and many others have continued to blow my mind. Octoberfest in Munich was awesome. Some ridiculous piña colada beer i had the other day was frankly delicious.

I get to have it all. I don't think the beer world has ever been so much fun. It's a carnival and I'm going to enjoy every ride.

I can see the counterargument of this alcoholic cotton candy in a glass is now "manly" enough to openly enjoy & feverishly pursue if it has hops, a clever pun, and is still labeled beer. It sends us a careening further towards a diabetes nation at $7 a can, while older beer styles are becoming endangered as breweries with heritage are reluctantly forced to find a new way to say shandy. The apocalypse will be foretold the day Westvleteren, Four Loko, and Lucky Charms have a 3-way.

[For the record, I will try that unholy love child. I hope they add maple, man I love maple.]

 

Got it Wednesday night (made it back earlier than planned), and it was really good. Also enjoyed Summit's Helles.