What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
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.
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.
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!
- Fargo Brewing Original Lager
- Summit Brewing Co. Dakota Soul
- August Schell Brewing Co. Fort Road Helles
MOJO WALLEYE
This is a fantastic marinade, walleye is one of the best whitefish!
- Bell’s Brewery Oberon Ale
- Sam ‘76
- Odell Brewing Co. Rupture Fresh Grind Ale
GUNFLINT WALLEYE
A great recipe from Gunflint Lodge
- Lagunitas Brewing Co. India Pale Ale
- Summit Brewing Co. Extra Pale Ale
- Rhombus Brewing Co. Invincible Pale Ale
Batter-Up WALLEYE
- Lakefront Brewery Fixed Gear American Red India Pale Ale
- Standard Lager by Fulton Brewing Co.
- Fargo Brewing Co. Stone’s Throw Ale
FRIED CHEESY WALLEYE NUGGETS
Great cheesy fish bites!
- Rhombus Brewing Co. Iconic Blonde Ale
- Fulton Brewing Co. Lonely Blonde Ale
- 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.
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- August Schell Brewing Co. Firebrick Vienna Lager
- 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.
- Odell Brewing Co. Drumroll American Pale Ale
- August Schell Brewing Co. Citra Blanc American Pale Lager
- Lagunitas Brewing Co. Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’
WALLEYE CAKES
- Bell’s Brewery Two-Hearted India Pale Ale
- Fulton Brewing Co. 300 Mosaic India Pale Ale
- Samuel Adams New England India Pale Ale
CHEERS!
What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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!