State-wide blind taste-test organized by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild
On the evening of March 22, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild announced the results of the MN Brewers Cup, an annual blind taste-test competition for Minnesota breweries and brewpubs.
This year, over 90 breweries submitted nearly 450 entries into the competition. Brews were judged in 23 categories, and they were scored based on quality and adherence to BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) style standards.
The top three beers in each category were given awards. All first-place winners then went through another round of judging, and the top three beers were named Best in Show. All awards were announced at an industry-only event on Friday night. The ceremony took place at the Royal Sonesta in downtown Minneapolis in the evening. During the day, the MNCBG also hosted the MN Brewers Conference (co-hosted with the MBAA District St. Paul-Minneapolis). The awards ceremony was a celebratory conclusion to a day full of brewery staff learning from each other and looking forward to the future of craft beer.
The ceremony also included five member-voted award categories. All member brewery and brewpub staff were invited to vote for individuals or businesses in categories that recognize various features of the brewing industry, including collaboration and innovation.
Local winners include:
Best in Show
1st Place: Surly Brewing Co, Axe Man IPA
Specialty Beers
1st Place: Indeed Brewing Company, Mexican Honey Imperial Lager
American Amber, Brown & Pale Ales
3rd Place: Surly Brewing Co, Mosh Pit Juicy Pale Ale
Stouts
2nd Place: Dangerous Man Brewing Co., Dry Irish Stout (shout out, even though they are no longer downtown)
Hazy IPAs
2nd Place: Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Lil Haze
American IPAs
1st Place: Surly Brewing Co, Axe Man IPA
2nd Place: Fulton Brewing, Hop Kingdom 300 IPA
Czech Lagers
1st Place: Utepils Brewing Co, Loonar Eclipse
Most Innovative Brewery: Modist Brewing
The full winners list of the 2024 MN Brewers Cup can be found here.
Kim Eslinger
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