Craft Brewers Confrence coming to MN

Woah, that's super exciting.

 

Awesome!

 

awesome! i bet I'll be there

 

Just curious... as a non-industry beer fan in the area, what does this mean to mean?
Are there public events and tap takeovers in conjunction with the conference?

 

Think of a Shriner’s convention, but with more sustainable, earth-friendly imbibing.

 

CBC is in Denver this week and there are eleventy awesome tap events, limited one-off cans drops, etc. I had Bissel Brothers Swish for lunch today.

 

Well then... Yay us!

 

Unless they're already distributing here, we won't be getting nice things from far away breweries. Then again, we've got two years to get those pesky laws changed. Sunday sales only took what, 20+ years?

 

Weldwerks did a one-off can drop recently, yes? There's gotta be some loophole like that they can use?

 

Yeah. I got suckered into buying it. Should have looked at the date. Two month old NEIPA....

 

But isn't WeldWerks starting to distribute on a regular basis now in Minnesota?

As far as I know, Minnesota can't have one-offs from breweries that don't have distribution agreements/arrangements/whatever you want to call it already set up. For example, if Pelican Brewing out of Oregon or Tree House out in Massachusetts wants to have tap handle or put some bottles/cans in a few stores while their in town for the World Beer Cup, they'll have to go through the hassle of getting distribution set up through the proper channels first.

 

There was talk that Cigar City poured at All Pints North a few years ago (before it distributed in the state) on some sort of instructional pass because it presented to the industry at the festival. Others in the past, including Jester King, have gone the one-day distribution agreement route. I'm not sure how many breweries will take advantage of them in practice, but there definitely seem to be some loopholes that could allow for temporary distribution.

 

This is great news and a great thing for the MN craft beer community. I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to attend many of these, and they keep getting better. This year’s out here in CO is no exception. I’ve enjoyed every minute of this trip.

The main thing, in my opinion, that the craft beer fan can look forward to are the many events and options which will appear around town from so many breweries you normally don’t get a chance to drink from or visit with. One-offs, takeover events with rare or specialty made brews, presentations or events from owners of significance like the Grossmans from Sierra Nevada, and so on. Plus rubbing shoulders with the brewers and owners from around the country. You will be shocked at how many options you will be able to choose from. And the breadth & depth of what you’ll be able to try.

You’ll witness first hand the passion and love for craft beer that exists out there. Wonderful experiences. You’ll also have a chance to rediscover breweries who you think are “in the past” but are still doing some amazing things that you’ll get to experience. I once was at a tap takeover a few years back from Sierra Nevada, and they had 26 (something like that) different beers they brought with. Awesome.

I wouldn’t worry about distribution laws. They are very workable in cases like this, and the BA and breweries know how to navigate them. Won’t be an issue.

I can almost guarantee you that this will be the best week MN has ever seen for beer lovers.

 

Can anyone shed light on the difference between CBC and the National Homebrew Conference which was recently hosted in Minneapolis?

 

Professional vs. amateur

 

Thanks for the insight Sean.

Can anyone shed light on some the differences between the professionally staffed CBC and the hobbyist focused National Homebrew Conference which was recently hosted in Minneapolis? Are the events generally the same just with a more professional focus?

 

They’re both brewing conventions.

At NHC we walked the show floor for about 2 hours. Try a few beer samples, see some cool brewing toys. Small seminars on basic topics led mostly by local volunteers from the brewing scene. A fun afternoon for home brewers.

CBC is bigger in every way. It will take you an entire day to walk the show floor, more if you’re chatty. Want to climb all over a 100bbl Chinese 4 vessel brew house? You can. There is much higher access to free stuff and beer. Being able to meet and ask questions to the people that made your equipment is invaluable.

The main difference is the seminars. World class seminars on brewing and the beer industry scheduled all day for multiple days. Dozens of them on specific, relevant topics given by the most knowledgeable people in the industry from all over the globe. There is a reason people take week long trips, there is an immense amount of content to see, learn, and drink.

Outside of the convention center there will be events at every brewery and beer bar within a decent radius every night of that week.

Hope that helps.

 

There can be no beer tapped in MN from an out of state brewery unless that brewery is fully licensed to sell here.

 

Mn does allow some sort of one day, or short term distribution permit. I don’t have the specific details on it, but it’s a fact.