As Autumn knits itself onto the
fading warm winds of Summer,
I know it's time for the biggest
trade show in the upper
Midwest, the North Star chapter
annual Guzzle & Twirl. We
(Teri, Charles, Myself) of course
attended this year as usual and
the memories are still fresh, like
a newly tapped keg. Been
doing this show for about 28
years now and everyone's a bit
older and our kids are grown up but, the memories and good times
still remain.
This time around I volunteered myself and my son (Charles) to
help pour beer and we had a great time and some good laughs
doing that. Such as, sampling the quality of the product we were
pouring and observing someone (not me) “teach a lesson" in how
to tap a keg (incorrectly, I may add) and get a face full of foam, oh
my, what a treat!! Charles also found an ICEE store display lighted
cup piece and he just had to have that, so the old man sprung for it.
Seen some very creative shirts / costumes made and worn by Mr.
Travis and Mr. Miner. I brought a bottle of Surly Ten with and
shared it with Mike England, Mike Blaska and of course Beerhound
Bob, you know
he is going
to sniffon
thatthe
babytour
out !!
Miller
Caves
Before I continue with the madness, let me digress to the day
before. The plan was to meet Tom & Judy at the hotel about 11 am
and then head out for lunch and a beer tour of some places that Teri
and I had done reconnaissance on prior. By the way, this recon job is
tough but, we will sacrifice. So, first stop was Nutmeg Brewing and
Restaurant, met Murray and Sue there, had some great food and
great brews, plus good "beery"conversation. Next, Wild Mind Artisan
Ales, I'm really pumped about this place, they specialize in Saison's
and Sours here and I just think the beers are really special. I think
Tom enjoyed them also.
Next was, Wabasha Brewing, which has a newly opened
taproom and is a nice cozy neighborhood place and has a
comfortable feel to it, to put a few back. Then walked across the street to what will be the new Yoerg's
taproom opening in 2017. This used to be a Schmidt's tied house and has the old Schmidt's mural on the
outside. Can't wait to get inside. Next stop was Flat Earth Brewing, which is located in the old Hamm's
tap
room
Brewing complex. Miller
This is just
a must
stop for any beer lover, the history, architecture and the craft beer!!
After all this it was time to head to hotel for the evening festivities and guess what "famous" New Ulmish, person shows up? The big man himself, Stubie !!! Whoo Hoo !! Let's have one and a couple hundred
more!! So, the fuse has been lit and now the party starts. Pizza, Beer, Room to Room, Trading, Selling,
Buying, Stubie, Laughing, Yelling (in the hallways by me), Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!! What an
evening!! Of course the time passes far too quickly and the next morning brings a thirst (I need water) for
more. After we are done at the show on Saturday, the tradition holds that a stop at Town Hall Brewery to
bask in the afterglow is in store. This year it was us and Tom & Judy, for some late lunch, a few beers and a
"hashing" over of the past events.
Well, that's Guzzle in a nutshell for me this year and certainly looking forward too next. The NEW
Mankato show is soon here and we plan on attending, we have a room booked for Friday night, so if
someone wants to do some pre-show, on the town carousing/ trading/selling let me know. In the meantime,
I'll be hunkering down for winter in my underground beer bunker. Till next time, Jay
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