What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
/in Uncategorized /by Brian FrankWeekly Online Newsletter Vol.28
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, in fact, its Thursday. I’m sure everyone is well aware of this being in the alcohol industry. St. Patrick’s Day is a great boost in sales for both on and off premise. I was reading a few beer articles this weekend and came across an article that was perfect for this week written by Heather Galanty from Craftbeer.com “Forget Green Beer – 2 Styles with actual Irish Roots”. Everyone, likes to joke about green beer but the truth of the matter is during St. Patrick’s Day we sell a large quantity to accounts and the public is asking for it. If you took a look around our warehouse you’d know who is injecting the green dye into the kegs – their green hands and arms are a dead giveaway.
I come from a background with the belief of drink what you enjoy, whether that’s green beer or an authentic Irish style of beer. Either way Bergseth Bros. has you covered – Bergseth Bros. is your Irish Beer Headquarters with iconic brands such as Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, Murphy’s, and Kilkenny. Bergseth Bros. also carries Guinness Nitro IPA, Guinness Blonde, Finnegans, Killians Red and of course GREEN Beer.
Forget Green Beer—2 Beer Styles with Actual Irish Roots
By Heather Galanty
There are two main beer styles that we typically think of in connection with the Emerald Isle: dry stout and red ale. Stouts are an offshoot of the porter family, and originally the word “stout” was used to refer to a stronger version of a porter.
The most famous Irish dry-stout style, of course, is Guinness, which serves as the template for most modern stouts, but Arthur Guinness actually began by brewing ales and porters. It wasn’t until 1819, with the introduction of Daniel Wheeler’s black “patent” malt, that stouts began to be brewed. The words “dry” or “Irish” are often tacked on to “stout” in order to differentiate it from English and American sweet or milk stouts, which usually contain oatmeal or lactose.
Photo Courtesy Craftbeer.com
There is a bit of contention surrounding the Irish Red style, with some debate as to its historical past and true characteristics. We are told that the Celtic ales brewed in Ireland in the Middle Ages had a recognizably red tinge, although the modern version of what we consider the “Irish-style red ale” is most likely very different from the style of this early account.
Traditionally, Irish red ales focus on strong malt flavors with slight nuttiness and light hoppiness. This style seems to have originated with the birth of Smithwick Brewery in 1710 in Kilkenny, Ireland. Today, red ales enjoy more popularity in the U.S. than Ireland, and despite the style’s unclear origins and somewhat contentious history, I think we can agree that it’s a darn good beer.
This Saint Patrick’s Day, deviate from the stereotypical green beer and try a craft-brewed dry stout or red ale.
Irish-Style Dry Stout
Irish-style dry stouts are black in color, typically with an SRM of 35-40. Their character is mostly defined by coffee-like roasted barley and a roasted malt aroma. Despite the focus on malt, hop bitterness is typically medium to medium high. Dry stouts are often served from nitrogen taps, which create a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
- Guinness Irish Stout Draught
- Guinness Extra Stout
- Murphy’s Irish Stout
Irish Red Ales
Irish Red Ales are usually well balanced and are brewed with a moderate amount of kilned malts and roasted barley to give them their reddish hue. This style may contain adjuncts such as corn, rice and sugar, which help dry out the finish and lessen the body. Low roasted notes can be present thanks to the use of roasted barley in the grain bill. With notes of caramel and toffee, this style can be reminiscent of lightly toasted and buttered bread.
- Smithwick’s
- Kilkenny
- Killian’s Irish Red
Get out this St. Patrick’s Day – It’s the one day that friends and family can gather around raise their pint of Guinness and celebrate their Irish heritage; most out celebrating don’t have a lick of Irish in them but enjoy the festive atmosphere….. It’s a good excuse to raise a pint!
Please check with your sales person on availability and pricing (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
/in Uncategorized /by Brian FrankWeekly Online Newsletter Vol.27
What an exciting weekend with the turn in the weather to sixty degrees and sunny! I’m sure a lot of you started spring cleaning along with scrubbing the winter sludge off your garage floor. My neighbor was so eager with the first real warm weather and sighting of the sun he started spring planting; too soon my friend.
When spring hits, I find myself thinking of the warmer summer weather ahead. Well, the products featured this week are great to drink anytime but are perfect at the lake, barbequing, or simply hanging out on your deck. Most often these products taste better over ice, with cut-up fresh fruit or poured over ice cream. Let’s plan early because Summer is knocking on our door!
Palm Breeze Happy Hour Master – Press Play
NEW – Palm Breeze 12pk Variety Pack
New – Cayman Jack Cuban Mojito
New – Mike’s Harder Original Orange Soda
Please check with your sales person on availability and pricing (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
/in Uncategorized /by Brian FrankWeekly Online Newsletter Vol.26
What an exciting time for craft beer in the United States. Craft beer sales have surged to all-time highs and gaining market share at an exorbitant rate. Every day, two new breweries are built in the U.S. Last year, the U.S. passed over 4000 breweries for the first time since the 1870’s. Currently, there are more breweries than ever before topping the old mark of 4,131.
We feel at Bergseth Bros. that our Local, Regional and National Craft Brands in our portfolio, offer exceptional quality in all segments. Many of the breweries that we represent are spattered with accolades from the largest beer competitions and publications from around the globe.
Local Craft Brands (FM Area):
Fargo Brewing Company: Fargo, ND
Rhombus Guys Brewing Company: Grand Forks, ND
Regional Craft Brands:
Summit Brewing Company: St. Paul, MN
Fulton Brewing Company: Minneapolis, MN
August Schell Brewing Company: New Ulm, MN
Finnegans Brewing Company: St. Paul, MN
LakeFront Brewing Inc.: Milwaukee, WI
Empyrean Brewing Company: Lincoln, NE
Grand Teton Brewing Company: Victor, ID
Enjoy a video brought to you by CraftBeer.com
CraftBeer.com: Tasting Craft Beer – Press Play
Please check with your sales person on availability and pricing (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
/in Uncategorized /by Brian FrankWeekly Online Newsletter Vol.25
One of the major influences in my early twenties was a gentleman I met from a brewery with local ties to North Dakota. I did not know what to expect before meeting him, because I had only been in the retail alcohol industry for a short period of time. Here I was getting the chance to meet the guy who not only started a brewery but had national awards, been in many publications that I’ve read and was a local celebrity.
Shortly after our introduction I was at ease, he was a common person with a huge passion for beer! His name as I’m sure most of you know is Mark Stutrud from Summit Brewing Company. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Mark you know what I’m talking about when I say he exudes passion not only for Summit Brewing Company but for beer in general.
I learned more about beer from Mark in a few days than one could get from reading a library of books on beer; it’s history, ties to this area, the struggles with building a brewery from the ground-up, and the fulfillment of seeing it all come together. Thanks Mark, for all you do and have done for the brewing industry – Let’s Raise a pint for Mark Stutrud and Summit Brewing Company as they Celebrate their 30th Anniversary in 2016!
To Celebrate their 30th Anniversary Summit Brewing Company is Releasing 4 Limited 30th Anniversary Beers throughout 2016 – The first beer in the series is Summit Brewing Company 30th Anniversary Double IPA – Coming Soon
Please check with your Bergseth Bros. representative on these special releases along with other fine products from Summit Brewing Company (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
Saint Paul Business Beat: Summit Brewing Co. 2014 (Press Play)
Below is a few highlights from Summit Brewing Company Timeline of 30 years – Read the full history here: http://www.summitbrewing.com/culture/history
In 1986, Summit founder Mark Stutrud set out to rediscover the traditional brewing methods behind the great handcrafted beers that once flowed throughout the Midwest. Ever since, we’ve been painstakingly brewing beer as stimulating, complex and rich in character as the people who share it.
When Mark Stutrud decided to forego getting his Masters in social work to start a brewery, he knew he was undertaking a risky endeavor. This letter he received from the Brewer’s Association served as a crisp reminder. But Mark persevered, naming his new brewery after Saint Paul’s legendary Summit Avenue (Stutrud is too hard to pronounce) and he was on his way. The letter is now proudly displayed in the brewery’s Ratskeller.
Summit Brewing Company remodels the space of an old truck parts company on St. Paul’s University Avenue. We install a brewhouse from Heimertingen, Germany, and begin test brewing. After much experimentation, we proudly release our EPA and Great Northern Porter – in kegs only
In 1987, Early Success! Great Northern Porter wins first place at the Great American Beer Festival®. We begin bottling in the fall and introduce our first seasonal, Summit Christmas Ale.
In 1996, Summit purchases 4.2 acres in the Crosby Lake Business Park in Saint Paul. Groundbreaking takes place in July of the following year as keeping up with demand becomes increasingly difficult. Brewing begins on this site in 1998.
Extra Pale Ale wins a gold medal in the Classic English-Style Pale Ale category at the 2010 World Beer Cup® and a silver medal in the same category at the Great American Beer Festival®.
In 2011, Summit celebrates its 25th anniversary. Here’s to everyone who has clinked pints, bought rounds, showed support, extended praise, offered critiques, joined us on the town, stayed late, and shared their passion for great beer with us over the years. Cheers!
More Success in 2012! Summit is honored to pick up a pair of prestigious brewing awards: EPA wins Silver at the 2012 World Beer Cup® for Classic English-Style Pale Ale and Pilsener gets a Silver at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival® for Bohemian-Style Pilsener.
More Office Space (Drinking Space) Summit moves its offices across the backyard to the renovated building that houses the new canning line. Along with some much needed elbow room, the space includes a new industry meeting room complete with several taps and a custom bar made from reclaimed wood by the craftsmen at Wood From The Hood.
2016 – Summit Brewing Company Celebrates their 30th Anniversary, Raise a Pint!
Please check with your sales person on availability and pricing (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
CHEERS!
What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
/in Uncategorized /by Brian FrankWeekly Online Newsletter Vol.24
Hello,
One of my favorite Holidays is just around the corner on March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17th, honoring the Irish patron saint, St. Patrick. The celebrations are largely Irish culture themed and typically consist of parades, wearing green, and Plenty of drinking. Some churches may hold religious services and many schools and offices close in Suffolk County, the area containing Boston and its suburbs.
People all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially places with large Irish-American communities. Feasting on the day features traditional Irish food, including corned beef, corned cabbage, coffee, soda bread, potatoes, and shepherd’s pie. Many celebrations also hold an Irish breakfast of sausage, black and white pudding, fried eggs, and fried tomatoes.
It’s the one day that friends and family can gather around raise their pint of Guinness and celebrate their Irish heritage; most out celebrating don’t have a lick of Irish in them but enjoy the festive atmosphere….. It’s a good excuse to raise a pint!
Bergseth Bros. is your Irish Beer Headquarters with iconic brands such as Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, and Murphy’s. Bergseth Bros. also carries Guinness Nitro IPA, Guinness Blonde, Kilkenny, Finnegans and Killians Red.
Below are some videos showcasing the history of Guinness ~ Enjoy!
Time to brew an Irish American Beer Guinness
From Stout to the IPA, Guinness Nitro Story
Guinness – In Pursuit of More
Please check with your sales person on availability and pricing (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
CHEERS!