What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.99

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Since 1860, August Schell Brewing Company has been perfecting German Craft Beers. Their Oktoberfest is a shining example of their perfection!

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OKTOBERFEST

BEER STYLE: Marzen, Oktoberfest

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 5.5%

CHARACTERISTICS: Brewed with the perfect balance of Pale, Munich, and Cara Pils malt with Liberty and Perle hops to create a rich, smooth taste.

With its bright copper-orange color, it is quite symbolic of the autumnal shift of the season.  A slightly higher strength, and warm malt body make it the perfect companion for the crisp fall weather in Minnesota.  The use of Munich and Vienna malts give the beer its toasty malt backbone, and melanoidin-rich flavor and aroma.  It has a soft malt sweetness, pleasant mouthfeel and a slight spiciness.  Hop character is subdued, as the malt takes center stage with this beer.

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Another new exciting sampler pack from August Schell Brewing Company – Harvest Brews Seasonal Sampler

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PROST!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.98

 

Today, I wanted to talk about one of my favorite seasonal beers – Samuel Adams Octoberfest… This beer is talked about more often than any other seasonal beer we have in house; retailers are asking for it mid-summer! Samuel Adams Octoberfest is one of the largest seasonal beer offerings in the world and the largest Oktoberfest beer in the world. Samuel Adams Octoberfest has a 27% share of the fall seasonal segment, significantly more than any other fall seasonal brand.

Click the Play Button Below to Watch

Samuel Adams OctoberFest Tasting Video with Jim Koch

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What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol. 97

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It’s hard to think about but cool fall weather is just around the corner. I look forward to Bison tailgating and NFL Sunday’s with a Märzen style beer more than the weather.  As the leaves turn amber to copper color so does the beer in my glass. This color of beer is reminiscent of traditional styles of Okotberfest Beer or Märzen style. We have several brands of Oktoberfest beers to choose from, traditional Paulaner Wiesn to the number one selling Oktoberfest in the world Samuel Adams. I’ve attached a list below that contains the multitude of Oktoberfest & Pumpkin beers that we have available this fall.

Click on the Play Button to Watch

Beer Style Spotlight: German-Style Marzen / Oktoberfest

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Below is a description of this style of beer courtesy of Beeradvocate.com

Märzen / Oktoberfest

Description:
Before refrigeration, it was nearly impossible to brew beer in the summer due to the hot weather and bacterial infections. Brewing ended with the coming of spring, and began again in the fall. Most were brewed in March (Märzen). These brews were kept in cold storage over the spring and summer months, or brewed at a higher gravity, so they’d keep. Märzenbier is full-bodied, rich, toasty, typically dark copper in color with a medium to high alcohol content.

The common Munich Oktoberfest beer served at Wies’n (the location at which Munich celebrates its Oktoberfest) contains roughly 5.0-6.0% alcohol by volume, is dark/copper in color, has a mild hop profile and is typically labeled as a Bavarian Märzenbier in style.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0%

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Below is our 2017 offerings of Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beers – some of these products are still in route.

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Eršffnung des MŸnchner Oktoberfestes Wiesn 2012 beim Paulner Festzelt Winzerer FŠndl  Copyright by : sampics Photographie Bierbaumstrasse 6 81243 MŸnchen TEL.: ++49/89/82908620 , FAX : ++49/89/82908621 , E-mail : sampics@t-online.de Bankverbindung : Hypovereinsbank MŸnchen  Konto : 1640175229 , BLZ 70020270 weitere Motive finden sie unter :  www.augenklick.de

 

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What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.96

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I can hardly believe it’s been seven years already for Fargo Brewing Company. I remember back to my retail days meeting with four young entrepreneurs with a dream of starting a brewery in Fargo, North Dakota. We sat in the break room and tried samples of the beers they hoped to contract brew. I would be lying if I did not say I was a little skeptical of their aspirations.

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There was no brewery in Fargo at this time, let alone a brewery in North Dakota that produced commercially. Well, they proved all of the skeptics wrong, including myself. Their dream became a reality from the start-up days of contracting brewing to building a brew house, canning line and aging program.

 

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They have continued to grow each year in terms of production, quality, community involvement and accolades.  Raise a pint and celebrate Fargo Brewing Company’s Past 7 years and bright future ahead!

 

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CHEERS!

 

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.95

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The sound of country music will be filling the air around lakes country this weekend with one of the largest regional music festivals in the area; We Fest.  Not only will you be hearing country music but the sounds of coolers being filled with festive beverages for the long weekend ahead.

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Mike’s Hard Lemonade has been a part of We Fest Country Music Festival for several years. Patrons continue to drink Mike’s Hard Lemonade straight and use the wide-range of flavors to develop layered libations. I have compiled a few of our favorite recipes below – Enjoy Mike’s Hard Lemonade straight from the can or bottle, enjoy over ice or mixed in your favorite cocktail.

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FORE! We’ll take four of these. Tee off  with our spiked Arnold Palmer.

Combine the following over Ice:

1 oz vodka

1 oz simple syrup

4 oz iced tea

4 oz mike’s hard Lemonade

Garnish with lemon and mint

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A mule that doesn’t horse around. Try our simple and straight-up delicious mike’s mule.

2 oz vodka
3 oz ginger beer
3 oz mike’s hard Limeade
Ice
Garnish with lime

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The only sure bet on Derby Day or Any Day of the Week: a mike’s hard Kentucky Lemonade.

The drink that doesn’t horse around.

1 bottle of mike’s hard lemonade
1 oz bourbon or whiskey
1 oz triple sec
Garnish with lemon and mint

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Summer lovin’ with this mike’s hard Sipper.

1 bottle mike’s hard Peach Lemonade
3 oz ginger beer
1.5 oz whiskey
Garnish with peach slices

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Serve up some red, white and blue flare with our Patriotic Mixed Berry Slushie!

1. In a blender, add 1.5 cup strawberries, 0.5oz simple syrup, 1 bottle mike’s hard Strawberry and 2 cups ice. Blend and transfer to a pitcher.
2. Repeat for next layer. In a blender, add 1 juiced lemon, 1 bottle mike’s hard Lemonade and 2 cups ice. Blend and pour half in pitcher.
3. With the remaining half, add 1 cup blueberries and 1 cup ice. Blend and pour remaining mixture in pitcher.
4. Serve immediately.

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What’s cooler than cool? mike’s hard Strawberry Lemonade Pop!

2.5 cups strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup mike’s hard Strawberry

Blend all ingredients above until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.

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CHEERS!

 

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.94

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33 years ago, Jim Koch quit his desk job to follow his passion in brewing.

For those that have the guts, drive and perseverance to follow their own path, access to resources shouldn’t be what stands in the way. That’s why in 2008, we started our Brewing the American Dream program. The goal: Provide microloans, coaching, and other resources to people who are pursuing their unique craft.

The beers in our first ever Brewing the American Dream Variety Pack were brewed in collaboration with five rising-stars who participate in Brewing the American Dream. These breweries each have a story as unique as their beers, and we are excited to share them with you. We’ve also included Boston Lager, since this was the beer that started it all for us. And this beer doesn’t just taste good – it does good, too. All profits from the collaboration pack will be donated to program partner Accion to support future small business loans to food and beverage entrepreneurs across America.

Press Play Below – Brewing The American Dream

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Boston Tea Party Saison

Brewed in collaboration with Jim Woods of Woods Beer Co.
from San Francisco, CA

Boston Tea Party Saison is a bi-coastal twist on the classic Belgian style, combining Woods’s yerba mate-infused saison with Sam Adams’ wild yeast blend, Kosmic Mother Funk. Mate’s earthy spice plays on the rippling, fruity haze of KMF’s funky bacteria, and gives a signature snap to the amber saison’s traditional dry finish.

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ThreeNinety Bock

Brewed in collaboration with Chris Spinelli of Roc Brewing Co.
from Rochester, NY

ThreeNinety Bock is a slightly roasted Maibock with a sweet toffee and light caramel flavor, crafted from four hop varieties, combined with rye malt and oak smoked malt. Mosaic and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops provide the balance that gives this dark golden bock a big, juicy character and slightly sweet and dry finish. ThreeNinety is a nod to the distance in miles between Boston and Rochester.

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Time Hop Porter

Brewed in collaboration with Grant Fraley and Marta Jankowska of ChuckAlek Independent Brewers
from San Diego, CA

Driven by co-founders Grant Fraley and Marta Jankowska’s mission of creating “Old School Beers for New School Palates,” Time Hop Porter utilizes Zeus, Chinook, Cascade and Goldings hops and is 5.3% ABV. The hop character is balanced by three malt varieties: Sam Adams pale two-row blend, Crisp Brown, and Black malt. This porter has strong notes of citrus and pine that are balanced by a smooth, roasted malt character.

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Oats McGoats

Brewed in collaboration with Rick Abitol of Brewery Rickoli
from Wheat Ridge, CO

Oats McGoats is an American stout brewed based on founder and brewer Rick Abitbol’s commitment to brewing full-flavored, gluten-reduced beers (if they didn’t say it, you wouldn’t know). At 6.5% ABV, the full-bodied, moderately carbonated beer is accented by earthy, spicy flavors and a hint of roasted coffee notes.

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Desert Kaleidoscope

Brewed in Collaboration with Bosque Brewing
from Albuquerque, NM

Desert Kaleidoscope, pays homage to the Albuquerque balloon fiesta and features a mixture of flavors including citrus, tangerine, pine and honey malt to create a brew with a bold, hoppy aroma. With a 7.0% ABV, Desert Kaleidoscope is a deep amber, medium-bodied brew that leaves a clean touch of lingering bitterness on the palate.

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Boston Lager

First Brewed by Jim Koch of Samuel Adams
from Boston, MA

Boston Lager is the original collaboration beer between Jim Koch and his father, using his great-great grandfather’s recipe – helping lead the American craft beer revolution and reviving a passion for full-flavored beer. Only the finest hand-selected ingredients are used to create this perfectly balanced and complex original brew, including two-row malted barley and Bavarian Noble hops. Boston Lager is full-flavored with a balance of malty sweetness contrasted by hop spiciness and a smooth finish.

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What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.93

 

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Tropically Hoppy. Light, yet Full-Bodied. Bright and Citrusy. Word.

The magical, mystical 12th of Never is a blend of Old and New School hops that play bright citrus, rich coconut, and papaya-esque flavors, all on a solid stage of English puffed wheat. Tropically hoppy. Light, yet full-bodied. Bright and citrusy. The 12th of Never Ale is everything we’ve learned about making hop-forward beer expressed in a moderate voice.  Pale, cold, slightly alcoholic and bitter.  It’s all we know.

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These 12oz AND 19.2oz mini-kegs (AKA cans) are an exciting new option for us, and we are stoopid stoked at the opportunity for y’all to take us to all those new, nelophobic locations…

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#Mouthfeels: 12th of Never

12 of Never Mouthfeels

 

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What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.92

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Some Great News from Brian Hoffman, VP of Sales & Co-Founder of Fulton Brewing Company:

 

Draft Magazine just published a list of their top 50 IPAs in America, and 300 was ranked as #20 in the country!  The top 50 came from a total of 386 IPAs from all over the country, and “the IPAs were tasted blind (meaning the folks drinking them had no knowledge of what they were drinking) by our panel of judges, all of whom are either Certified Cicerones or Beer Judge Certification Program veterans with a certified, national or master ranking.”

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One big takeaway for me from the article was: “According to market research group IRI, which tracks sales at grocery and convenience stores, sales of IPA have climbed from 8.9 percent of the total volume of Brewers Association-defined “craft” beer in 2011 to 25.2 percent in 2016. Get that? More than quarter of all the craft beer sold last year was IPA.”  That means that for a segment of craft beer that makes up 25% of all craft sold, our IPA is better than all but 19, none of which are brewed/available in the Midwest.

“Ordinary guys (brewery owners) discussing Fulton’s 300 Mosaic IPA” on YouTube

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Below is the full Draft Magazine Article and Fulton Brewing Company Excerpt:

DRAFT

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The 50 best IPAs in America

We asked every brewer we know to send us their IPAs: 386 bottles, cans, crowlers and growlers later, we found our 50 favorites.

ZACH FOWLE , JUNE 27, 2017

http://draftmag.com/50-best-ipas-america/

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CHEERS!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Newsletter Vol.91

4th of July 2017

TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT JULY 4TH AND BEER

From the Founding Fathers to today, beer has a place in U.S. history and July 4th celebrations.

July 3, 2017

​WASHINGTON – This year the 4th of July, a quintessentially American holiday, marks the United States’ 241st birthday. To help celebrate, the Beer Institute revealed its annual top 10 facts about July 4th, America’s founders and beer.

  1. In 1587, Virginia colonists used corn to brew the first recorded ale in the colony. Today, brewers use a number of grains to make beer, including barley, corn, millet, oats, rye, sorghum and wheat.
  2. The first shipment of beer arrived in the Virginia colony from England in 1607. Over 400 years later, Americans still love imported beer; in 2016, Americans consumed over 33 million barrels of beer imported to the United States from across the globe.

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  1. Beer has been a job creator in the United States since its inception. In 1609, “Help Wanted” advertisements appeared in London seeking brewers for the Virginia colony. This tradition of beer being integral to America’s economy continues. The beer industry today supports more than 2.2 million jobs in the United States.
  2. George Washington not only drank beer himself and served it to his guests, but it was also one of the items provided for voters when he was a candidate for political office. It must have helped because when Washington was president he habitually “had a silver pint cup or mug of beer placed by his plate, which he drank while dining.”

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  1. During his time in Philadelphia in 1774 to participate in the First Continental Congress, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, “I drink no Cyder [sic], but feast upon Phyladelphia [sic] Beer, and Porter.”
  2. Thomas Jefferson served beer during dinner at his Virginia estate, Monticello. Jefferson’s earliest designs for his plantation included spaces for brewing and the storage of beer. Today, there are 238 permitted breweries in Virginia, and Virginia’s beer industry contributes more than $9.35 billion annually to the state’s economy.

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  1. During the Revolutionary War, beer was a part of soldiers’ daily lives. On June 10, 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Council set the daily ration for its troops in Boston to include one quart of good spruce or malt beer.
  2. In 1862, President Lincoln signed legislation to tax beer to help finance the government during the Civil War. That same year 37 civic-minded New York breweries formed the United States Brewers Association for “ensuring safe and prompt collection” of the federal excise tax on beer.

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  1. According to WalletHub, Americans spent $1 billion on beer over the 4th of July weekend in 2015, making it is the most popular holiday for beer sales.
  2. Last year AAA projected nearly 43 million Americans traveled during the Independence Day Holiday.

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“From being the beverage that John Adams wrote home about while he was at the Continental Congress to being on hand for picnics and barbecues, beer is a staple of both American history and our economy,” said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. “Early colonists recruited brewers to come to the New World, and today the American beer industry creates over 2.2 million jobs. Many Americans will enjoy a beer as they join neighbors, family and friends to celebrate July 4th, and I hope people take time to enjoy the pride and tradition that goes into every pour of beer and choose to drink responsibly this holiday and every day of the year.”

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Have a Safe and Memorable 4th of July!

CHEERS!

 

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.90

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This week we are releasing an all-new Continental Pilsner, simply titled “PILS.” PILS will be available year-round on draft and in six packs of 12 oz bottles. Why a Pilsner? Simply put, most of us at the brewery love this style of beer. It’s usually the first beer we seek out when we visit a new town or another brewery. Whenever the ageless “desert island beer” conversation comes up, one Pilsner or another gets an impassioned debate. The only problem was, Fulton had never brewed a Pils. So, we set out to make a great one. Ours is built on a base of Minnesota-malted Rahr Pilsner. It features a smooth, well-rounded bitterness provided by German Perle, and a pleasantly floral aroma provided by the style’s hallmark Saaz hops. Pilsner yeast punctuates the beer with a beautifully clean finish. At 5.3% ABV and 30 IBU, this is a beer that leaves your senses wanting for nothing – except another.

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It’s always exciting to add a new beer to our repertoire. In the 10 years since we started homebrewing in a one car South Minneapolis garage, we have come to appreciate and enjoy nearly every style of beer. To us, a large part of what drew us to homebrewing was the ability to create any beer, with our imaginations being pretty much the only limitation. As the number of styles and substyles of beer continues to grow and evolve, and the quality and diversity of ingredients available to brew with grows as well, the permutations and combinations of recipe possibilities approaches infinity—or at least a number way higher than we can count. But as a production brewery, the unfortunate reality is that there is a finite number of tap handles and shelf spots in the world; we can’t brew every beer we want, all the time.

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So begins the long process of narrowing down the world of endless choice to perhaps a couple dozen beers that will appear in our lineup over the period of a year. Many are small releases of only a few hundred cases and a few dozen kegs. Some are draft only, and some never even make it out of our taproom. A handful make it into our year-round lineup. If you’ve ever drank a Fulton, you’d had one of these. For the first five years of Fulton’s existence, we had only two Core beers – Lonely Blonde and Sweet Child of Vine. We were unusual in that way; most breweries have four or five year-round beers the first day they open for business. We chose to do fewer because we believed investing our efforts in perfecting just a couple beers rather than a half dozen or more made long term sense, in terms of quality of beer and of building brand recognition. Meanwhile we quenched our fans’—and our own—thirst for variety by releasing a growing number of seasonals. First came Worthy Adversary, then Libertine. Later on, it was Expat, Randonneur, and many many more. In 2014, after years of it being a taproom favorite, we added The Ringer to our year-round lineup. Last year, we increased our Core lineup to 5 beers, with the addition of 300 IPA and Standard Lager. In total, we brewed about 25 beers in 2016, with 16 of those making it out in both draft and package formats.

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So we have finally have a full calendar of year-round and seasonal beers, and it took just seven years to build. What to do now? Tear it up, of course! Well, not entirely…but substantially. In the name of creative destruction, we’ve re-worked much of our lineup this year. We’re introducing some all-new beers, making some familiar favorites into taproom exclusives, and even retiring a few.

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That gets us back to where we started—brewing what we want, when we want. At any given moment, we generally have 20-24 beers available in the taproom. The lineup changes on an almost weekly basis. Keep an eye on the taproom page of our website; we keep the taps listed there as fresh as the beer. Of course you can always find our perennial favorites on tap, and every limited release visits the taproom as well. Drop by for a beer sometime soo, and meanwhile, pick up a six pack of Pils next time you’re in the liquor store – it just might become your desert island beer.

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Please check with your Bergseth Bros. Representative on Availability and Pricing (Some products not available in certain markets)

 

CHEERS!