Beer BlogBrewery Update

Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band 50th Anniversary Party May 18th.

Most of you know this already, but Mankato Brewery Head Brewer Bobby Blasey is also a bagpiper for the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. They have their 50th Anniversary CD Release Party at Shamrocks Irish Nook on May 18th. That will be a big week for the band so please show your support! Make sure you head over the Shamrocks to try a special beer Bobby has brewed up for the party.
YES... BOBBY IS BREWING A SPECIAL BEER FOR THE PARTY!
SAFFRON KILT IPBASAFFRON KILT IPBA
(Irish Pipe Band Ale)

This beer is brewed with the same malt that is used to make the finest Irish Whiskey.

This special release beer is to support the 50th Anniversary of the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. The Head Brewer at Mankato Brewery is Bobby Blasey and Bobby is also a member of the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band as a Piper!
BEER FACTS:
ABV: 6%
O.G.: 13.5P
IBU: 36
Color: Saffron

50th Anniversary Celebration and CD-release party

Celebration Highlights:
• Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band 50th CD release concert.
• Three music stages, outdoor tent, and traditional Irish session.
• Brian Boru Brew - 50th Anniversary Beer - Specially produced by Mankato Brewery.
• Anniversary Special - 50th & 40th Anniversary CDs, and a Pint of the Brian Boru Brew - $10

• Where: Shamrocks: The Irish Nook
995 W. Seventh St., St. Paul MN 55102

• When: Saturday, May 18
$5 Cover -under 12 free til 8 p.m.

Line up includes the:
• Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band,
• Hounds of Finn,
• Langers Ball,
• Sweet Colleens,
• Tim Malloys,
• Tom Dahill
and many more...plus a Traditional Irish Session in the back room.

Don't miss it!

Schedule of Events:

Indoor Stage
3:00-5:30 Hounds of Finn
6:30-9:00 Sweet Colleens
9:30 Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band Marches Through
10:00-1:00 Langers Ball

Tent Stage
2:30 Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band Marches Through
3:00-5:00 Tom Dahill
5:30-6:30 Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band Concert
7:00-10:00 Tim Malloys

Alumni Room (Eastern room of Shamrocks)
3:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 Traditional Irish Music Session

http://brianborupipeband.com/

http://www.crnook.com/

A big win for the local rivers!

Earth Month Party a huge success!

This past Saturday, April 6th LIV Aveda Salon & Spa had their first Earth Month Party. They partnered with Aveda, Minnesota Audubon, and Mankato Brewery. The goal was to raise money for the rivers in the greater Mankato area.

The Money raised from this event will be used to improve the water quality of the Minnesota River and its tributaries and to reduce the threat of invasive species by:
1. Protecting hundreds of wetland acres in the Mankato region
2. Protect water quality on the Minnesota River Basin.
3. Advocating measures to help slow the spread of invasive species such as Asian Carp, up the Minnesota River.

LIV Aveda Salon & Spa Co-Owner Tami Tupy said, "It was a lot of work, but the evening turned out great. So many people had a great time. Attendance was over 200 people and we raised $9640. Thank you to everyone who came out to show your local support!" General Manager Magen Feuchtenberger said, "We had so much support from local businesses in our silent auction, and the night went just as planned. We already have people asking us to do it again next year."

St. Peter Food Coop did the cheese pairing, and yes the cheeses they sampled are for sale at their coop cheese shop.

Earth Event Beer/Cheese Pairings
1. Good Thunder, Alemar Cheese, Mankato, MN
Paired with Stickum

2. Fini Extra Sharp Cheddar, Caves of Faribault, Faribault, MN
Paired with Haymaker IPA

3. Sunny Road Smoked Gouda, Morning Star Farm, Cokato, MN
Paired with ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale

4. Jeff’s Select Gouda, Caves of Faribault, Faribault, MN
Paired with Mankato Original

5. Amablu Gorgonzola, Caves of Faribault, Faribault, MN
Paired with Mint Stout

6. St. Pete's Select Blue, Caves of Faribault, Faribault, MN
Paired with Center Street #3 "BLACK MILD"

A big thank you to The Bitter Root Band who provided great music for everyone!
BAND INFO

If you have any pictures from the evening please email them to:ttupy@livsalonspa.com
We all had so much fun that we didn't get many pictures.

Earth Month Event

BEER and CHEESE Pairing THE BITTER ROOT BAND (MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE BAND BELOW) BEER and CHEESE Pairing Event Proceeds of event going to Audubon MN to improve the water quality of the Minnesota River and its tributaries.  LIV AVEDA is working with Audubon MN to make sure the funds "we raise" only go to the Minnesota River and its tributaries.  We feel staying local is very important for this event!  (MORE DETAILS BELOW) Saturday April 6th Location: Mankato Brewery 1119 Center St., N. Mankato, MN 6:00pm Doors Open 6:30pm Beer and Cheese Pairing Cheese by St. Peter Food Coop 7:30pm Appetizers by St. Peter Food Coop Music by The Bitter Root Band (Finish at 10:30PM) Silent Auction 6:30-8:00PM.  So far we have some amazing items on the auction. Some include Twins Tickets, Hunting Package at Traxlers, Hot Air Balloon Ride, Hotel/Dinner Packages, Shopping at J Longs/Pieces, a Coach Purse and lots more. PURCHASING TICKETS NOWTICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT LIV AVEDA or MANKATO BREWERY.  WE HE HAVE A LIMITED SUPPLY, SO DON'T WAIT LONG. WE NEED EVERYONE'S HELP WITH THIS EVENT SO PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! LIV AVEDA: 1839 Adams St., Mankato (507)388-1559 Mankato Brewery: 1119 Center St., N. Mankato CORPORATE TABLES We are selling corporate tables for $400 and it included eight (8) tickets to the event and their own private table.  We can tell already these will not last long so if you want one call LIV AVEDA soon.  507-388-1559   Why Birds? Birds serve as an excellent environmental bell-weather. They reflect changes in the environment quickly; they warn us when nature is out of balance, sending out signals whenever there is deterioration in the ecosystem. How does Audubon protect clean water in Minnesota? Audubon Minnesota’s approach to protect and enhance clean water employs three strategies: Conservation, Advocacy, and Outreach and Education. In each endeavor, working to engage people is a hallmark of Audubon’s approach. Conservation:  Ensuring that proposed changes to Minnesotas Wetland Conservation Act do not reduce the number of wetlands that protect water quality  the Act protects hundreds of wetland acres in the Mankato region of south central Minnesota each year. Advocacy: Securing funds to restore and permanently protect wetlands on private lands through the RIM Reserve program which has protected hundreds of thousands of acres in the Minnesota River Basin for over 25 years.  Locally we are advocating for the installment of temporary measures, such as an electrical barrier at Mankato, to help slow the spread of invasive species such as Asian Carp, up the Minnesota River. THE BITTER ROOT BAND http://www.facebook.com/thebitterrootband#!/thebitterrootband Artist Bio (listen to songs on facebook page) The Bitterroot Band was founded on the ideals of energetic simplicity. With this in mind, The Bitterroot Band strives to deliver an honest message in the clearest way possible. Consisting of three members, The Bitterroot Band uses traditional folk-minded three part harmonies with honest and meaningful lyrics to deliver a passionate and soul stirring performance. On a backbone of rebellious rock attitude and raw traditional instrumentation, band members pride themselves on an unrelenting work ethic and a deep hunger to write, perform, and entertain. The Bitterroot Band is known for crafting a rowdy live performance that inspires crowds to move to every tune. The Bitterroot Band honed their style at a weekly open mic night at a dive bar in Southern Minnesota. Their performance spread by word of mouth until the bar was at maximum capacity every Thursday. When the dance floor was full, folks danced on tables. The Bitterroot Band strives for such wild performances at every show. With the release of their first official recordings entitled “Mason Jar EP” in February of 2013, The Bitterroot Bands momentum is continuing to grow and The Band is poised to take their sound to anywhere that welcomes their own brand of lyric driven, foot moving, folk music.

Name the IPA

We are looking for your help naming our new IPA Beer. This is the Center Street #2 beer we launched in November 2012 as a limited release beer. All of you have been drinking so much of it that we decided to keep this beer flowing. This is where we need your help picking the name.

Please take the time to fill out our survey for the contest.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER SURVEY

Mankato Derby Girls at Mankato Brewery

This is a fundraiser, not an actual derby event

Need Valentine's Day plans? Have a date?... Who cares! We don't! Come to the Mankato Brewery and celebrate Valentine's Day with your favorite MAD Girls to help us raise some money for our first home bout!

February 16th from 7pm-12am, ages 21+, $5 admission at the door.

There will be plenty of beer (of course), DJ, Anti Valentine's Day Cards, Photo Booth with NeeCee Photography and MAD Girls Merchandise.

Doc E's BBQ Food Trailer will also be showing up to sell some great food!

Dress to impress and have some fun! Food is provided by Doc E's BBQ. Yes a food truck at the brewery... finally!

IPA NAMING CONTEST

CENTER STREET SERIES #2 (IPA) Has gone over so well that Mankato Brewery has decided to keep making this beer as a year round beer. Being it is a nice hoppy beer we should have anticipated the demand from all the hop head fans! This is your chance to become world-renowned (at least MN-renowned) and help us name this beer.

COMPETITION DETAILS
So there it is. Now pull your brain cells together and send us your suggestions to nameipa@mankatobrewery.com Please include your name, address, phone number, birth date with your email. You must be 21+ to participate. The top names will be hand-picked, dropped into a poll, and publicly voted on, and the winner will be greatly rewarded.

WINNER
Here's what you get if your suggested beer name wins:
- Legendary status with world-renowned fame.
- Two cases of this beer when it is released.
- Tap the first firkin we do of this beer under the new name.
- Private tour with you and 9 friends of the brewery with lots of sampling!

RULES
- Be creative.
- The name must fit on a beer label; no more than 25 characters and 3 words.
- You can have more than one entry per person.
- To be considered, name entries must be emailed to nameipa@mankatobrewery.com with your contact information.
- All entrants must be 21+ with valid ID.
- All details subject to change without notice.

DEADLINES
- Deadline for name entries is Friday, February 15, 2013 @ midnight CST.
- Online poll voting begins Monday, February 18, 2013.
- Voting will cease Thursday, February 28, 2013 @ midnight CST.
- Winner will be officially announced in March 2013.

BEER INFO
The rich malt flavors provide a savory and solid backbone to the crisp, bright citrus hops. Double dry-hopped and full of flavor, this IPA will satisfy your hop cravings and warm you from the inside.
BEER FACTS:
ABV: 6.8%
O.G.: 16P
IBU: 92
Color: Copper

Brewery 1st Year Anniversary Party!

Brewery 1st Year Anniversary Party!

Saturday, January 5, 2013
6:00pm until 10:00pm

More details will be coming out soon, but get this on your calendar.

All five beers will be on draft.
- Organ Grinder (Amber Ale)
- Center Street #2 (IPA)
- Mankato Original
- Stickum
- Mint Stout

Music, Beer & Food!
- 6PM Doors Open
- 7PM Music by The Bitterroot Band


More details will be posted.

21+ to attend. We will be checking everyone!

Bitterroot Band

About
Members: Lee Henke, Ryan Acker, Vincenzio Donatelle, Isaac Hill

Sounds Like: Pre-Apocalyptic Junkyard Orchestra, The Dang Ol' Tri'ole, Evergreen Grass Band, Trampled by Turtles, Charlie Parr

Bio: The Bitterroot Band. Front Porch Americana with Heartland Harmonies and an Eclectic Sound

The Bitterroot Band was founded on the ideals of energetic simplicity. With this in mind, The Bitterroot Band strives to deliver an honest message in the clearest way possible.

Woody Guthrie and his student of folk, Bob Dylan, along with individualists like Tom Waits and Johnny Cash are the reason The Bitterroot Band exists. With this foundation, the band constructs meaningful folk-minded lyrics with a backbone of rebellious rock attitude on raw traditional instruments.

The Bitterroot Band is known for rowdy live performances that influence the crowd to stomp along to every tune. Founded in October 2011, The Bitterroot Band has developed a strong following in the midwest and hope to spread their unique sound to as many ears as possible.

ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale - Art Contest

Mankato Brewery is announcing the winner of the design contest for the new Amber Ale to be launched next week. The new beer is the re-release of the popular limited release series Center Street Series #1 (Amber Ale).

The contest had over 100 requests for the new design contest. Co-Founder Tony Feuchtenberger said, “We had so many great designs, but we had to pick one that best represented our idea of the brand, and the design submitted by Michael Berglund best represented our story”. Mankato Brewery Head Brewer Bobby Blasey said, “When we were reviewing the submitted work it was clear that Berglund’s work was something that had vision of the history of Organ Grinders and it incorporated details about beer and brewing beer.”

Michael Berglund is a local artist and co-owner of the special effects and model building studio, MNFX (http://www.mnfx.com). Michael is also a graduate of Minnesota State University of Mankato.

For over 20 years, MNFX has specialized in creative visualization across a huge range of media, from tabletop models, to sculptures, to TV commercials and on up to trade shows and billboards.

Along with the staff of MNFX, Michael has created artwork in just about every medium known.

A homebrewer and beer enthusiast, Michael has been drawn to Minnesota's new craft beer explosion, and has created artwork and design for Surly Brewing Company and The Minnesota Craft Brewer's Guild, including designing and building the Land of 10,000 Beers exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.

"I saw the name Organ Grinder as an opportunity to create something very intricate and detailed, with an almost Victorian feel. The design is a wooden organ grinder box, carved with detail comprised of barley and hops. The Organ Grinder and his companion monkey are looking at you in an inviting way, beckoning you to join the party."

The name ORGAN GRINDER was something connected to the history of the Mankato Area from over a hundred years ago. The information found was, “The Organ Grinder” – A man from Italy had a hand organ on a stand and a little monkey who perched on his shoulder. The man had dark hair, dark skin, black mustache, white teeth, big black eyes and a smile. Bright color scarf, hat with a bright feather. The monkey wore a little suit, green pants and jacket, little red hat with a feather. His name was Beppo. Beppo would tip his hat and go around to collect money.

Mankato Brewery plans to launch ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale in late December. Initially it will be draft only at available at bars and restaurants. Plans are to have bottles available in 6-packs in early 2013.

Mankato Brewery sells its beer with two distributors. TOW Distributing of Mankato MN, and College City Beverage Inc of Dundas MN. The beer is distributed from southern Minnesota to the south Metro. The brewery does limited self-distribution into Minneapolis and St. Paul.

ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale has a brilliant amber color and a smell of rich malt. The flavor follows the aroma with a touch of sweetness and a slight noble hop presence.

Mint Stout Peanut Brittle

MINT STOUT PEANUT BRITTLE

OK, I took a favorite recipe of peanut brittle and replaced the water with our Mankato Brewery Mint Stout. Oh boy, this turned out way better than I thought it would. VERY GOOD!

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Mankato Brewery Mint Stout Beer
1 cup peanuts
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1. Grease a large cookie sheet. Set aside.

2. In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, over medium heat, bring to a boil sugar, corn syrup, salt, and Mankato Brewery Mint Stout beer. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in peanuts. Set candy thermometer in place, and continue cooking. Stir frequently until temperature reaches 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), or until a small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water separates into hard and brittle threads.

3. Remove from heat; immediately stir in butter and baking soda; pour at once onto cookie sheet. With 2 forks, lift and pull peanut mixture into rectangle about 14x12 inches; cool. Snap candy into pieces.

4. Serve to beer loving friends!

ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale

ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale

N. Mankato, MN, December 6th, 2012: Mankato Brewery is announcing a new permanent beer in its portfolio. The new beer is called ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale.

ORGAN GRINDER is the re-release of the breweries limited release Center Street Series #1 (Amber Ale).

Center Street Series is the brand used by Mankato Brewery to launch limited release beers. This first limited release beer was an Amber Ale designed by Mankato Brewery Head Brewer Bobby Blasey.

“We’ve never had people calling the brewery directly asking why their favorite bar was out of their favorite beer and why we can’t make more. It was hard to explain that this was a limited release beer. With so much support we knew we had a hit among Minnesota beer drinkers”, said Mankato Brewery Co-Founder Tony Feuchtenberger.

The name ORGAN GRINDER was something Co-Founder Tim Tupy found detailed information about with a connection to the Mankato area. Tupy found information at the Mankato Public Library about a Street Organ Operator that use to travel the area in the early 1800s. Tupy said, “I knew this was a great piece of local history and it brings a nice connection between the art and beer communities.

The information found was, “The Organ Grinder” – A man from Italy had a hand organ on a stand and a little monkey who perched on his shoulder. The man had dark hair, dark skin, black mustache, white teeth, big black eyes and a smile. Bright color scarf, hat with a bright feather. The monkey wore a little suit, green pants and jacket, little red hat with a feather. His name was Beppo. Beppo would tip his hat and go around to collect money.

In November Mankato Brewery created a contest for people to submit artwork of the Organ Grinder and his monkey Beepo. Mankato Brewery has not yet made any announcements regarding the contest. Mankato Brewery plans to launch ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale in late December. Initially it will be draft only at available at bars and restaurants. Plans are to have bottles available in 6-packs in early 2013.

Mankato Brewery sells its beer with two distributors. TOW Distributing of Mankato MN, and College City Beverage Inc of Dundas MN. The beer is distributed from southern Minnesota to the south Metro. The brewery does limited self-distribution into Minneapolis and St. Paul.

ORGAN GRINDER Amber Ale has a brilliant amber color and a smell of rich malt. The flavor follows the aroma with a touch of sweetness and a slight noble hop presence. More details of the release will be coming soon.

Contact:
Tim Tupy
Co-Founder
Mankato Brewery
1119 Center Street
North Mankato, MN 56003