Looking for something beer-y to do this weekend? Here are five choice beer happenings going on around the Twin Cities:
1) City Pages Beer Festival 2013
When: Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Near 10th & Hennepin
What: The annual City Pages Beer Festival returns to downtown for its 21st year. Sample domestic and imported beers while listening to live music from Viva Knievel, accordionist Bill Koncar, and the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band at this outdoor festival. Tickets: $30-50. (Get a ticket for $15 with City Pages Daily Deals; deal available until midnight on May 30th)
2) Craft Beer Garden at Grand Old Day 2013
When: Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: KQRS Stage at Grand Ave. & Grotto St.
What: New this year to Grand Old Day is craft beer sampling at the KQRS Stage. Listen to live music from Apollo Cobra and ELnO while enjoying 5-3oz. samples of craft beer from breweries including Alaskan, Lucid, Odell, Tallgrass, and more. Tickets: $5
3) Summit Brewing Crawfish Boil
When: Friday, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Summit Brewing
What: Once again, Cajun 2 Geaux brings all-you-can-eat crawfish, shrimp, andouille sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes to a taproom. Advance registration is closed, but you can always get the truck's regular fare, enjoy the live music from McNasty Brass Band, and drink Summit beer—including a firkin of Meridian Session Ale with Centennial Hops. If you're set on crawfish, Cajun 2 Geaux will be running another crawfish boil at Pour Decisions Brewing Company's taproom on Saturday, June 15, and you can register here (availability ends at midnight on June 12).
4) NACCC Poker Ride and Race
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Starts at Gold Medal Park
What: The Tour De Breweries and the Minneapolis Bike Messenger Association present the NACCC Poker Ride and Race. The Poker Ride will give you 5-7 breweries to travel to (including sponsor Dangerous Man) where you will pick a random playing card at each stop to try and build the best hand to win prizes. The Poker Race will be for those who wish to ride hard and be the first back. Find more information on the event's Facebook page.
5) Boom Island Brewing Beer Dinner
When: Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Where: Lyndale Tap House
What: The Lyn-Lake restaurant is offering a four-course dinner featuring beer pairings from Boom Island Brewing. To reserve your seats, call Lyndale Tap House (612) 825-6150 as seating is limited. Price: $35 (plus tax and gratuity)
Also of Note: Harriet Brewing has live music and food trucks Little G's on Friday (5 to 10 p.m.) and Midnord Empanada on Saturday (noon to 10 p.m.). The Growler Magazine is celebrating its 1st anniversary with food, beer, music, and an open house on Saturday (noon to 8 p.m.) at The Beer Dabbler Store in St. Paul. Fulton welcomes food trucks Fork in the Road on Friday (3 to 9 p.m) and Anchor Fish & Chips on Saturday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Excelsior Brewing is holding their first ever Summer Swing golf tournament on Monday at Deer Run Golf Course (call (952) 443-2351 or email to reserve your spot).
—Lindsay Abraham
· The Essential Guide to Twin Cities Taprooms, May '13 [Eater MPLS]
