Autumn Brew Review 2018

I know that I liked the old space and am disappointed that they had to move.

 

I'm more interested in why the move to all MN breweries. This has been a fantastic festival for years, & to screw around with a proven formula for success seems...odd.

 

It's a guild event that now has more than enough guild members to fill the booths. The temporary site may have something to do with it as well (I'm speculating that there may be less space or logistics may be more challenging). There are plenty of Beer Dabblers if you're missing the bottle pours of Angry Orchard.

 

Angry Orchard, yes. Black Gold, no. There are a few festivals where non-Minnesota breweries actually put up an effort. ABR was one of those. I for one will miss not seeing Central Waters, Founders, Lakefront, and several others not at this event.

 

Luckily, 12welve Eyes will be there, & I'm sure there will be some recipes that hark back to the 19th century. So you're good to go!

 

There's always Great Taste of the Midwest.

 

Used to always be Guild only members, the just changed it 2 years ago to allow for anyone to pour. They are changing it back now. When Hammerheart 1st opened they wouldn't join the Guild for some reason and weren't allowed to pour.

The event won't ever be back at the Grainbelt Brewery. That parking lot and park are getting totally redeveloped. A new park and housing will take it's place. The city has been planning it for over a year.

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@cped/documents/webcontent/wcmsp-205839.pdf

http://www.startribune.com/minneapo...nd-near-grain-belt-brewery-complex/453619323/

 

I'll take the hidden gems over queuing for overhyped special releases from the big names any day. If you need long lines, social media buzz, and a big reputation among beer geeks to enjoy a beer, then, in internet parlance, "You're Doing It Wrong." Festivals are a great opportunity to get out of your comfort zone, explore widely, and, hopefully, discover some new favorites. I have no problem with regionally and nationally distributed beers at festivals, especially if they put in effort (as a handful, but only a handful, tended to do at ABR), but it would be self-defeating at this point for the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild to promote the competition at its members' expense.

 

Looks like they do a Berliner Weisse, but it's flavored with woodruff so probably not for Islay. Hopefully no one dares bring one of those new-fangled Krieks or other fruited lambics!

 

You're projecting, my friend.

While I understand you are trying to shame those of us who love a good IIPA with honey & experimental hops or a pastry stout with 13 adjuncts, I am an unabashed fan...who also goes out of his way to try new things/new breweries at every festival we attend.

This is not a binary choice - I like both. But I'll clear the field. If you're there, find me, & we'll continue this debate beard to clean-shaven face.

 

I'll miss the brewery backdrop, but Hall's Island should have less parking lot and better views of the river. The city has put a ton of effort and money into the restoration project already, so it will probably get better as a venue as they get further along with completing it. In my opinion, they should just move the damn thing to Book Island Park instead. You have a gigantic amount of green space paired with a skyline backdrop. If they can do Rock The Garden there for one year, ABR should be doable as well.

 

That's incorrect. Winterfest was always members only; the ABR was always open.

 

Someone just tell me if I should go or not. Thinking about it.

 

I can't believe how much you defend and promote (every single breweries to visit in the twin cities thread) 12weleve eyes on this board. Their beer is mediocre at best and they make tons of hazy/milk shake IPAs and fruited beer.

When it comes to barrel theory however you have quite the opposite opinion.

Makes it look like you just rail against barrel theory because they're "in" and "hipster" and whatever not really because of what their beer actually tastes like.

Waiting for a 5 paragraph post that is mashup of the same posts you make every other day about beer that is true to style and how the new generation drinking beer that "doesn't taste like beer" is ruining everything.

 

I’ve got an extra ticket if anyone needs one or hasn’t bought a ticket yet. $40

 

You should go. Despite it now being MN only (which is a big let down), there's enough breweries in this state putting out great and interesting stuff to make it worthwhile. Forager, Lupulin, Barrel Theory, Surly, Lift Bridge (BAS variants), Bent Paddle, Indeed, and Wild Mind (probably missing others here) all had good to great variants and one off beers last year. In addition, the festival is well run and the weather usually perfect. It's $50 well spent.

 

Any takers on this? Don't want it to go to waste. Tickets are $45 originally plus $5 service fee, but will sell it for $40.

 

Why did they do away with the cideries this year? Only Sociable with just 2 ciders. Sucks for our friend who has celiac and comes more for the social aspect.

 

Feel free to point out another cidery that's a guild member:
https://www.mncraftbrew.org/brewery-members/

Otherwise, Burning Brothers is a second option since they make gluten-free beers.