Apr 6

Apr 6 The buzz around town: 10 beer events on tap this spring in Rochester

Book readings, painting lessons, grill outs, beer tastings, and block parties — it's all on tap this spring. In a year's time, Rochester's beer scene has exploded from one to four breweries, and everyone has upped the ante accordingly. Kick back and enjoy a fresh craft brew at these upcoming events.

Lucky 7’s Deuling Tap Takeover

April 7, all day, The Tap House

Seven beers each from two renowned breweries face off on the 7th of April – what could be better? Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Bell’s Brewery and San Diego-based Ballast Point Brewery will pit their beers head to head in The Tap House. Rochester Craft Beer Expo will be drawing for free tickets to that event at 7 p.m.

Admission is free.

Bike MS Grill Out

April 16, 4 - 8 p.m., Kinney Creek Brewery

For the third straight year, Kinney Creek Brewery is supporting local bicyclists participating in Bike MS, a weekend-long biking event that raises funds and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Kinney Creek will bring the beer, and Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe will bring the meat and the fire for an evening of food and fun. All procedes benefit the National MS Society and Cycling for Cindy.

Admission is free; beer and food are available for an additional cost.

Brushes & Brews

April 17, 3 - 5:30 p.m., LTS Brewing Company

Drink, paint and have fun. Mobile art studio Art on the Go! will be on site at LTS Brewing Company for a beer tasting/art lesson hybrid event. Seats must be reserved in advance, but payment isn't due until the start of the class.

$30 per person, due at the beginning of class.

Rochester Rogues Rugby Hammerschlagen Tournament and Grill Out

April 23, 2 p.m., Kinney Creek Brewery

Members of the Rochester Rogues Rugby team will be showing off their skills and conducting Kinney Creek's annual Hammerschlagen tournament. Entry into the tournament is not required to watch and enjoy beer and food.

Tournament requires $5 buy-in; food and drink available at an additional cost.

Books and Beer

April 24, 7 p.m., LTS Brewing Company

Enjoy local beers and readings from local authors. Tony Wert will read from "A Necessary Act," Melissa McNallan will read from "Nobody's Angel" and Rod Starcke will read from "The Forgotten - Aten's Last Queen." Sign up for an evening of fine beer, fun books and a chance to meet the area's rising writers.

Admission is free.

Collaboration Beer Dinner

April 28, 5 p.m. or 8 p.m., Forager Brewery

Savor on a five course dinner prepared by Forager’s executive chef, Jordan Bell. Each course will be paired with a different brew: two from Forager and one each from Toppling Goliath, Surly and Fulton. Dinner guests will also be eligible to purchase discounted VIP passes for the Rochester Craft Beer Expo later that weekend.

Tickets are $62.49 each.

4th Annual Tap House Beer Street Social

April 29, 5 – 10:30 p.m., Historic Third Street

Dance to Hair of the Dog and Incognito while noshing on Triple-T BBQ and sipping craft beers from The Tap House. The event takes over a block of Historic Third Street all evening, and kicks off a weekend of beer-related events in downtown Rochester.

Admission is free.

Rochester Craft Beer Expo

April 30, 3 – 6 p.m., Mayo Civic Center

The Rochester Craft Beer Expo returns to Mayo Civic Center for its fifth-straight year. Attendees can sample beers from more than 40 breweries located all over Minnesota (and the United States) in a commemorative glass while enjoying educational seminars, live music and food vendors. Tickets are available online, at Forager Brewery, and at all Andy’s Liquor locations.

Tickets: $45 VIP pass (special 2 p.m. entry), $35 general admission, $10 designated driver.

First Anniversary Street Party

April 30, 5 – 10 p.m., Historic Third Street

Toast Grand Rounds Brewpub’s first year on the Rochester beer scene with a block party. Enjoy live music from Goodbye Lucy Grey, Jeremy Jewell, Chris Lawrence and Elizabeth Alness, a pig roast and fresh brews straight from the taproom.

Admission is free for ages 21 and over; brewpup will be serving full menu and be open to all ages.

Big Brew for National Home Brew Day

May 7, 11 a.m., LTS Brewing Company

Celebrate National Home Brew Day with Rochester Area Zymurgy Enthusiasts (RAZE) and LTS Brewing Company. RAZE will lead the celebration on home brewing, and LTS will offer brewery tours throughout the day.

Admission is free.

About Claire Walling: Claire is a contributing editor for the Med City Beat. She moved to Rochester two years ago from the Twin Cities after graduating from Hamline University. When she’s not working as a business writer she enjoys running the great trails around the region, designing and creating things, and drinking coffee. Fun fact: she was on a relay team that ran across Iowa in 54 hours. Twitter.