MN State Fair New Brews, The Results
A fun time was had with friends and family tasting our way through the fair. I get really excited when a bar/restaurant offers the flights. I also enjoy going with those over 21. Both equal more drinks to share and try. To be honest, I'm not even sure why I like trying all of the beers and wines. I'm not a beer drinker and I typically only drink 'spicy' red wine. Something about trying all the new flavors and exploring the full range of odd without the commitment of purchasing a large quantity or having to finish a drink makes me so happy. If only they would sell whiskey at the fair.
My favorite drink this year was the Cosmopolitan Martini Slushie by Lift Bridge Brewing Company.
My least favorite was Fresh Cut by Union 32 Craft House.
Three Lessons Learned:
- I don't like beer. I relearn this every year.
- I need a day dedicated to wine and wine type beverages. I never find myself in the mood for wine after starting with a beer.
- I should stay away from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. This is not a place for those who don't love all beer on all levels.
2023 State Fair Alcoholic Drink List using a scale of 1 (not good) to 5 (Amazing)
Andy’s Grille, located on the
south side of Carnes Avenue between Liggett and Nelson streets
·
Dreamsicle Slushy by Lift Bridge Brewing Company. 3rd Visit / 2.5
·
Boozy Salted Caramel Milkshake by Lift Bridge Brewing Company. 2nd Visit / 2.5
·
Caramel Apple Seltzer By ????. 3rd Visit / 2.5
Ball Park Cafe,
located on the east side of Underwood Street between Dan Patch and Carnes
avenues
·
Bases Juiced by Surly
Brewing Company. Didn’t Get To It…
Cafe Caribe,
located on the south side of Carnes Avenue between Chambers and Nelson streets
·
Paloma Hard Seltzer by Lift Bridge Brewing Company. Didn’t
Get To It…
Coasters, located on the
southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street
·
Cosmopolitan Martini Slushie by Lift Bridge Brewing
Company. 1st Visit / 5+
Dino’s Gyros,
located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets
·
Ginger Basil Limeade Hard Seltzer by Urban Growler Brewing Company. Didn’t Get To It…
·
Greek Cookie, by Bent
Brewstillery. Didn’t Get To It…
French Crêperie,
located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets
·
Cherry Wine Slush*, by Alexis Bailly Vineyard. Didn’t Get To It…
·
Red Sangria Wine Slushy*, by Alexis Bailly Vineyard. Didn’t Get
To It…
Frontier Bar,
located on the south side of Carnes Avenue between Liggett and Nelson streets
·
BlackBerry Bramble Ale by Fulton Brewing. Didn’t Get To It…
Giggles’ Campfire
Grill,
located at southeast corner of Lee Avenue & Cooper Street, at The North
Woods
·
Rhubarb Shandy, by Mankato Brewery. 1st
Visit / 3
·
Dill Pickle Kölsch*, by Blacklist Brewing Company. 1st
Visit / 4
LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of the Schell’s Stage at Schilling
Amphitheater
·
Blue Hawaiian by Lift Bridge Brewing Company 3rd
Visit / 3
·
A Ginger Suntan by August Schell Brewing Company 3rd
Visit / 4.5
·
Limeade Cider by Sociable Cider Werks. 3rd Visit
/ 4
·
Strawberry Fool Cream Ale, by Indeed Brewing Company. 3rd
Visit / 3
·
Juicy Peach* by Leinenkugel. 3rd Visit / 3
·
Sangria Slushie* by Schell’s. 3rd Visit / 2.5
·
Orange Honey Blossom Mead. 3rd Visit / 1
Mancini’s al Fresco, located on the
north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets
·
Birramisu by Indeed Brewing Company 1st
Visit / 2
Minnesota Craft
Brewers Guild, Located in the Agriculture Building
·
Sea Salt Watermelon by Wabasha Brewing Company 1st
Visit / 3+
·
Fresh Cut by Union 32 Craft House 1st Visit
/ 0
·
Saison of Stein by Ineffable Brewing Co. 1st
Visit / 1
·
Hibiscus Tea by Karst Brewing 1st Visit /
3+
·
Dill We Meet Again by Under Pressure Brewing 1st
Visit / 1
·
Tropical Fun Pants by Lupulin Brewing 1st
Visit / 2+
·
Island Girl by Sleepy Eye Brewing Co. 1st
Visit / 2+
·
Formula 5 by Spiral Brewing 1st Visit / 1
Minnesota Wine
Country, Located West side of Underwood St. between Carnes & Judson avenues
·
Marquette Reserve* by Winehaven Winery. 3rd
Visit / 4.5+
·
Frontenac* by Garvin Heights Vineyards. 3rd
Visit / 3
·
Barn Quilt Red* by Parley Lake Winery. 3rd Visit
/ 4
·
LaCrescent* by Winehaven Winery. 3rd Visit
/ 2.5
·
Snowy White* by Falconer Vineyards. 3rd Visit
/ 1.5
·
Lady Slipper* by Forestedge Winery 3rd Visit
/ 2.5
·
Marquette Rose* by Saint Croix Vineyard 3rd
Visit / 3
·
Gunflint White* by Cannon River Winery 3rd Visit
/ 1.5
·
Aronia* by Forestedge Winery 3rd Visit / 3
O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the
southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street
·
Apple Pie Cider by Wild State Cider. 1st
Visit / 5
·
Pineapple Tajin Dream, by Lakes & Legends Brewing
Company 1st Visit / 3
·
Black Cherry Hard Seltzer* by White Claw. 4th
Visit / 3
Shanghai Henri’s, located at the
International Bazaar
·
Ahhnold Palmer Style Hard Seltzer by Sociable Cider Werks
1st Visit / 1
·
Artic Moscow Mule Slushie* by Super Craft Elixir 1st
Visit / 4+
The Blue Barn,
located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center
·
Butter Together, by The Freehouse 3rd Visit
/ 3
·
Summer Sangria, by Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery. 2nd
Visit / 4
·
Buzzin Blue Frozen Fruit Punch, by Freehouse 3rd Visit / 4
·
Blueberry Blonde* by Freehouse 3rd Visit /
3
The Hangar, on the northeast
corner of Underwood Street and Murphy Avenue
·
Strawberry Short Cake’d Up, by Mankato Brewery. 1st
Visit / 2.5
·
Pineapple Sour Beergarita, by Mankato Brewery 1st
Visit / 3
·
C-Plane Citrus Blonde by Excelsior Brewing Co. 1st
Visit / 2
·
Mango Habanero* by Minneapolis Cider 1st
Visit / 3.5
·
Cherry Limeade Blonde* by Lupulin Brewing 1st
Visit / 2.5
The Hideaway
Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section
·
Bootlegger Berry & ‘Barb by Urban Growler Brewing
Company. 1st Visit / 4
·
Cheers to Cherry Pie, by Bent Brewstillery. 1st
Visit / 2
·
Duck Duck Blue Duck by Surly Brewing Co. 3rd
Visit / 3.5
·
PB&J Hard Honey by Round Lake Vineyards & Winery.
3rd Visit / 5
·
Sunset Sour* by by Bent Brewstillery. 3rd Visit
/ 2
*Not new this year
and/or not a MN State Fair exclusive.