What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Newsletter Vol.148

California Cider Company is the first family owned cider in the US. We have been making ACE ciders since 1993 in the beautiful Sebastopol area of Sonoma County California just north of San Francisco. We are located among some of the world’s most renowned wine makers and apple orchards.

Ace founder Jeffrey House created Ace Space in honor of his wife, Angela,

who appeared in the cantina scene in the original Star Wars.

It’s time to try something new and exciting. Cider is lower calorie and gluten free in comparison to other alcoholic beverages. Ace ciders are a refreshing alternative to beer and wine. No sugar is added to our beverages, the only sugar occurs naturally from fresh fruit, making our ciders crisp in taste and flavor.

Our award winning ACE ciders are pure, clean and refreshing because we use only the best eating apples for our juice and the best ingredients we can buy. We use champagne yeast in all of our cider and ferment them 10 -14 days. We then cold – filter 4 times and add the perfect amount of spritz to quench your thirst.

 

 

 

Don’t Forget – NOW AVAILABLE ACE Pumpkin Cider – Get some before it’s gone.

ACE Pumpkin

5% ABV

Flavored with cinnamon, cloves and allspice

Tastes like pumpkin pie

First produced in the fall of 2010 our Ace Pumpkin Cider is a seasonal favorite. Its unique orange color and full rich flavor will leave you craving more. This seasonal Cider is released after Labor Day and available throughout fall. Ace Pumpkin is perfect for the pumpkin lover that just can’t get enough.  Ideal for Halloween and Thanksgiving this cider pairs well with or beef. Our pumpkin cider also makes a great snakebite when mixed with a heavy lager.

We guarantee you will notice the care and quality we take to produce every bottle. That’s what makes us ACES!

 

 

CHEERS!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.147

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

OKTOBERFEST

BEER STYLE: Marzen, Oktoberfest

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 5.8%

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.

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

 

PROST!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.146

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 Craft Beer 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.

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%

Learn More about Munich’s Oktoberfest Festival

 

Below is our 2018 offerings of Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beers – some of these products are still in route.

CHEERS!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.145


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. Samuel Adams Octoberfest has a 27% share of the fall seasonal segment, significantly more than any other fall seasonal brand.

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.144

 

This week I wanted to highlight the extraordinary and vast selection of IPA’s in our portfolio. I hope you raised a pint or two of this fantastic style of beer last Friday, because it was National IPA Day. This is a limited list of IPA’s that we carry, for a full list ask your Bergseth Bros. Sales Rep. I have included some general information on the American India Pale Ale and a video from CraftBeer.com.

 

American IPA

Characterized by floral, fruity, citrus-like, piney or resinous American-variety hop character, the IPA beer style is all about hop flavor, aroma and bitterness. This has been the most-entered category at the Great American Beer Festival for more than a decade, and is the top-selling craft beer style in supermarkets and liquor stores across the U.S.

 

Keep in Mind we have some LOCAL Selections as well:

CHEERS

 

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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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.

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.

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

 

 

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

 

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

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

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.

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.

CHEERS!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.142

We’re super excited to announce that we’ve acquired distribution rights for Bell’s Brewery. Larry Bell, the Founder is a pioneer in the craft brewing scene and their dedication to quality is undeniable. This quality is proven by winning awards for their beers through-out the world. Most recently, Bell’s Two Hearted IPA was named back to back best beer in America by the American Homebrewer’s Association.

Make sure to watch the videos below to learn more about the brewery and some of the styles they make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEERS!!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.141

Summer, at a lake, is about as Minnesotan as one can be; and fishing for walleye is a true Minnesota experience.  I’ve had the luxury of going to the same lake for my entire life, Big Toad Lake in Minnesota. Some of my greatest memories as a kid were going fishing for walleye with my father. He would pack a cooler with beer for him and a few grape and orange flavored sodas for me.  I would snack on sunflower seeds all afternoon trying to catch the eluding Minnesota walleye. If we were lucky, we could catch the Minnesota Twins on the radio as well. Unfortunately, sometimes this was the only thing we caught.

I am lucky to still have my father around today so we can continue to go fishing at Big Toad Lake. Nowadays, the flavored soda is replaced with a wide range of craft beers.  The sunflower seeds are still packed and we plan fishing around the Minnesota Twin’s games.

I can’t tell you the best way to land a walleye, but I can surely help you match your fresh walleye with some great craft beers. Pairing your walleye with craft beers depends on how you prepare your walleye. Below are some great examples of walleye, prepared various ways and matched with some outstanding beers. For more information and complete recipes check out http://fishing-in-minnesota.com/blog/2013/06/05/10-best-walleye-recipes/#sthash.YVF0WV5k.dpbs

CRISPY BAKED WALLEYE

Crispy breaded fish without frying!

  1. Fargo Brewing Original Lager
  2. Summit Brewing Co. Dakota Soul
  3. August Schell Brewing Co. Fort Road Helles

MOJO WALLEYE

This is a fantastic marinade, walleye is one of the best whitefish!

  1. Bell’s Brewery Oberon Ale
  2. Sam ‘76
  3. Odell Brewing Co. Rupture Fresh Grind Ale

GUNFLINT WALLEYE

A great recipe from Gunflint Lodge

  1. Lagunitas Brewing Co. India Pale Ale
  2. Summit Brewing Co. Extra Pale Ale
  3. Rhombus Brewing Co. Invincible Pale Ale

Batter-Up WALLEYE

  1. Lakefront Brewery Fixed Gear American Red India Pale Ale
  2. Standard Lager by Fulton Brewing Co.
  3. Fargo Brewing Co. Stone’s Throw Ale

FRIED CHEESY WALLEYE NUGGETS

Great cheesy fish bites!

  1. Rhombus Brewing Co. Iconic Blonde Ale
  2. Fulton Brewing Co. Lonely Blonde Ale
  3. Guinness American Blonde Lager

PECAN-CRUSTED WALLEYE

A light crust for this delicate fish won’t cover up the taste of the fish itself. Plus it is quick and easy.

  1. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
  2. August Schell Brewing Co. Firebrick Vienna Lager
  3. Empyrean Brewing Co. Dark Side Vanilla Porter

SALSA WALLEYE

Give the catch of the day an unexpected zip with salsa. It dresses up the golden crumb-coated fillets and keeps them moist and tender.

  1. Odell Brewing Co. Drumroll American Pale Ale
  2. August Schell Brewing Co. Citra Blanc American Pale Lager
  3. Lagunitas Brewing Co. Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’

WALLEYE CAKES

  1. Bell’s Brewery Two-Hearted India Pale Ale
  2. Fulton Brewing Co. 300 Mosaic India Pale Ale
  3. Samuel Adams New England India Pale Ale

CHEERS!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Online Weekly Newsletter

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.

​WASHINGTON – This year the 4th of July, a quintessentially American holiday, marks the United States’ 245th 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.

  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.”

  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.

  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.

 

  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. In 2016, AAA projected nearly 43 million Americans traveled during the Independence Day Holiday.

 

“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.”

Have a Safe and Memorable 4th of July!

CHEERS!

What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

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Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.139

 

 

One of my favorite past-times in the summer is attending baseball games and indulging in the great fare available at the games. I thought I would take it one step further, because I’m assuming most of us attending the games are quenching our thirst with a beer.  What’s better than great ballpark food, beer and baseball?

 

I read a great article from Draft Magazine in the past and included an excerpt below with my beer recommendations. I also added a few extra ballpark staples with beer pairings. Whether you’re at the ballpark or in your backyard these food and beer parings are sure to be a HOME RUN!

Nachos & Kölsch, Helles or Light American Lager:  If your tortilla chips are drowning in irresistibly thick, creamy cheese, toss a life ring to the crisp, corny flavor with an equally crisp and corny kölsch. The beer’s lively effervescence and clean finish easily wash away the gooey goodness.

Fargo Brewing Company Fargo Original Helles Lager

Samuel Adams Light Lager

Coors Light

Pretzel & Pilsner: In a pairing as natural as baseball and summer, a pilsner’s grainy malts extend seamlessly into the bread of the pretzel; salt punctuates the flavor before the beer’s bold bitterness whisks the doughy bite away.

Summit Brewing Co. Dakota Soul Pils

August Schell Bavarian Pilsner

Old Style Lager

Peanuts & Brown Ale or Vienna Lager: A straightforward brown ale or Vienna lager and simple bag of peanuts throw an exciting curveball in this pairing: The beer’s rich, toasted notes meld deftly with the nutty, dry shell and salty peanut flavors, creating an intricate flavor profile.

New Castle Brown Ale

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

August Schell Firebrick Lager

Hot Dog & American Pale Ale: A peppy pale ale with hops that lean green (think onion and grass) amps up vegetal notes in the relish, while countering sweet, tart condiments like mustard and ketchup. The beer’s bready malt backbone latches onto the bun, while its firm bitterness cleans up the bite.

Rhombus Brewing Co. Invincible Pale Ale

Odell Brewing Co. Drumroll Pale Ale

Summit Brewing Co. Extra Pale Ale

 

A few more classic baseball food items with beer

Fries (Frites) & American Premium Lager: Even if the Belgians make the best frites in the world and are the largest consumers per person, those salty potato sticks are still an American staple cuisine. In general, fries (or frites) are light in flavor profile, so opt for a brew that will help cleanse the palate.

Grain Belt Premium Lager

Standard Lager by Fulton Brewing Co.

Coors Banquet

Sunflower Seeds & India Pale Ale: Beer and salt go together because bitter and salt go together. It’s not exactly clear why, but salt neutralizes the bitter elements and lets the taster enjoy the other characteristics in the beer. Throw some salty sunflower seeds in your mouth before and after taking a big swig of beer and your taste buds will reach a special level of enlightenment.

Lagunitas Brewing Co. India Pale Ale

Odell Brewing Co. India Pale Ale

Lakefront Brewery India Pale Ale

Corndogs & American Blonde Ale: According to popular legend, German immigrants were the first on these shores to cover sausage with batter, supposedly to make their sausages easier to sell. The tactic worked. The corn dog – a layer of crispy, deep-fried fluffiness that gives way to a savory hot dog or sausage on a stick – became an American staple.

Fulton Brewing Co. Lonely Blonde Ale

Rhombus Guys Brewing Co. Iconic Blonde Ale

Guinness American Blonde Lager

Cracker Jack & Porter: Cracker Jack isn’t just caramel popcorn…the addition of molasses and peanuts add to the depth and variety of flavor and the low and slow baking time make this a light and crispy candy-like treat. Porter is the perfect beer to pair with Cracker Jack! Dark brown in color with aromas of caramel, toffee, and roasted malts and flavors of rich malt, brown sugar, and chocolate but only medium bodied and well carbonated to provide a smooth finish.

Empyrean Brewing Co. Long Route Peanut Butter Porter

Fargo Brewing Co. Sod Buster Porter

Summit Brewing Co. Great Northern Porter

CHEERS!