Winter Beer Dabbler 2024 Preview
On Saturday, February 24th at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the Winter Beer Dabbler will take over. This unique, outdoor beer festival is always a blast. If you already have your tickets, you are probably already constructing your snack necklaces and thinking about what beers to try. If you haven’t gotten your tickets because you were waiting to see what the weather would be like, here is the link to get your tickets. The weather is supposed to be optimal for consuming beer outdoors with friends. Or as I like to say, frothy with a chance of good times.
The forecast calls for mostly sunny with a high of 47 degrees. This means that you still have to dress a little warm, but you can probably leave the snowmobile suit and the hand-warmers in the closet. The event goes from 3-6:30pm for General Admission and 2-6:30 for Early Entry tickets.
I know that there are a ton of breweries, both local and regional, that will be pouring their liquid treats. I went through the festival list by searching for Winter Beer Dabbler in the app store and downloading the Festbuddy App. You can peruse all the vendors and what they are pouring there. Of course, I geek out on the variety and different things just like you all. So, I have come up with 10 beers I am excited to try. Some of these are fun beers that I haven’t had before, and others are favorites of mine that I just can’t get enough of. I am also going to highlight a few breweries I think are worth your time. So, hopefully you find this helpful!
10 Beers I’m Excited About At The Winter Beer Dabbler
I should note that at the time this article was written, not all the breweries had their beers published in the Fest Buddy app.
Barrel Aged Bean Dreams-Nouvelle kitchen & brewery
As someone who often dreams about beans, coffee and baked, this beer speaks to me. When I have tried beers from Nouvelle Kitchen & Brewery in the past, they have been well-balanced and nuanced. I imagine that this beer, as it was aged in rum and Bourbon barrels, really is going to be a treat. Add in the fact that it was aged on Madagascar Sumatran, and Ugandan vanilla beans and cacao nibs, I think it will taste delicious.
Grape Ape-Liftbridge Brewing
One of the standouts from the Minnesota State Fair, is is apropos that this beer will once again be available at the fairgrounds. Although the setting is different, the dead-on flavor of the iconic MN shot is the same is it would be at Grumpy’s. Lift Bridge Brewing nailed this. After mastering a Minnesota State Fair flavor in Mini-Donut Beer, I didn’t think lightning could possibly strike twice. Yet, here we are, geeked about about a Grape Ape seltzer.
Enmolada-La Doña Cervecería
If you are looking for a sip of stout with a little extra kick, look no further than this concoction from La Doña Cervecería. The velvety texture with the dryness of the pepper is perfectly balanced. You will feel like each sip caresses your palate like the warm hospitality of your abuelita. Seek this out if you are looking for something distinct amongst a sea of ordinary.
Bonspiel Bock-Forgotten Star Brewing
When it comes to the offerings at Forgotten Star Brewing, I prefer their malt-forward beers. I think that is where they really differentiate themselves from the crowd. I imagine this Bock will probably be a lovely sip of malty goodness.
Gifts of The Sacred Father Doppelbock-Modist Brewing
What Modist Brewing can do with malt is unfair. They can coax flavors and manipulate textures that other breweries cannot thanks to their mash filter. So, when I heard they were brewing a Doppelbock, after I came to and stopped openly weeping, I made sure to see when it would release. Well, it is out in their taproom and I am glad they are bringing it to the Winter Beer Dabbler. There is a reason monks will drink this as not only a way to quench their thirst, but also to sustain them in lieu of food. Doppelbocks are my love language. Thank you, Modist. I feel seen.
Raven’s Cry Russian Imperial Stout-uncommon loon
This beer is special. I have had numerous iterations of this beer. They are all divine. This is a treat and probably one of the best barrel-aged stouts that will be pouring at the Winter Beer Dabbler. Uncommon Loon knocks it out of the park every year with this beer. While people are out there chasing pastry stouts that taste like a submerged box of Entenmann’s, Raven’s Cry is a wonderfully simple classic that drinks phenomenally.
Bonfire Vienna Lager-Arbeiter brewing
It is a good idea to go for a lower ABV beer at the Winter Beer Dabbler given the fact that there are plenty of high-octane options. Arbeiter Brewing is smart to bring something that will dazzle the palate in a liquid toast kind of a way. Whenever they brew a lager, it turns out sensationally. Try it, you’ll like it!
Fugazi Italian Pilsner-BlackStack Brewing
Sure, BlackStack Brewing is known for their incredible array of hoppy beers. However, I am going to go out on a limb and say their lagers stack up with most others available in the Twin Cities. This is beer flavored beer that drinks crisp and clean.
Lill Haze-Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative
If you are looking for a sessionable beer with all the juiciness of a well-made hazy IPA, this is your ticket. This is one of the first beers brewed at Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative by new Head Brewer, Shaun Lill. It is sensational and it easily one of the better beers I have had come out of the brewery. I am sure that you will enjoy it so make sure you try it.
Stupid Good-Drastic Measures Brewing
I don’t usually rave about NEIPAs, but Stupid Good is a great measuring stick for the style. Brett Doebbeling is a talented brewer and this beer from Drastic Measures might be one of the best things pouring at the Winter Beer Dabbler.
Breweries I Am Excited To Try At The Winter Beer Dabbler
Paddlefish Brewing-St. Peter, MN
Paddlefish Brewing finally opened in the latter part of 2023. I heard about it at the end of 2022, and was really excited to finally see that it is open. I have not been there or had any of their beers, but I have heard from quite a few beer geeks that the beer is worth it. So, I will be happy to try it at the Winter Beer Dabbler.
Mana Brewing-Shakopee, MN
Another brewery I have not been to is Mana Brewing in Shakopee. Again, I have not had their beers before and this will save me the drive from St. Paul, so I am looking forward to trying what they have.
Ullsperger Brewing-St. Louis Park, MN
While I think it is a fool’s errand to open a brewery in close proximity to Steel Toe in St. Louis Park, Ullsperger Brewing is making a go of it. When I had one of their beers at the Autumn Brew Review, the person pouring their beer didn’t really set the world on fire with his enthusiasm for the beer. So, I am going to stop by and see how it is. While the reviews have been mixed, I want to try it again for myself.
Even though this winter hasn’t been nearly as cold or dreary as others in recent memory, I still got cabin fever. Saturday will be a welcome opportunity to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the buzz of beer in my system. I hope that you all have a great time, and I’ll see you out there! I also want to give a huge shout-out to the Beer Dabbler folks for allowing me the opportunity to cover the event with press passes. Their generosity knows no bounds! Cheers!