When the rains shift to grueling humidity and give leave to swarms of mosquitoes you know it is summer in Minnesota; when the Twins are teetering on irrelevance and fan apathy and everyone is waiting for the second half surge, you know it is summer in Minnesota; when no one is paying attention to the NBA finals because the T-Pups have never been close to getting there, you know it is summer in Minnesota. When nearly everyone is looking forward to Cordarrelle Patterson in purple and salivating over getting the number 1 draft pick in their fantasy league (Adrian Peterson), you know it is summer in Minnesota. But, the past few years have cemented another tall tell sign of summer’s arrival in Minnesota… and that is the BEERFEST.

We have already seen Brau Brother’s BrauFest happen in Lucan and now the Twin Cities are collectively looking forward to kicking off the summer beer season with St. Paul’s Summer Beer Fest. This annual event (5^th year) takes place at the International Bazaar on the Minnesota State Fair grounds (TODAY from 2-6pm) and with weather that promises to be in the 80s by mid afternoon, 100+ breweries, live music, excesses of food, symposiums by professionals (and amateurs too, no doubt!) and a silent auction benefiting the St. Paul YMCA, you can not only enjoy the brews, fare and activities but feel good about yourself while doing it!

On deck, we have the Beer Dabbler at Pride in late June; All Pints North in scenic, brewery abundant Duluth; The Beer Dabbler at Highland Fest returning the beer festival fun to St. Paul on July 20^th all leading up to the Autumn Brew Review ushering us into the fall season.

Be sure to follow me on twitter @TallPour for further updates on these events and more beer fun! And as always, please offer any feedback, criticism, witticisms, beer stuff or asinine antics you have had, are having or plan to have surrounding beer!

Here’s to you for reading me bringing you Minnesota beer news from a higher altitude.

Prosit!

TallPour