Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter

(October 13, 2013 - October 19, 2013)

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As I See It...

If you have ever wondered why we say what we do.........

Before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thumb or finger into the liquid to determine the ideal temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, for adding yeast.

From this we get the phrase "rule of thumb."

In old England, a whistle was baked into the rim or handle of ceramic cups used by pub patrons. When they wanted a refill, they used the whistle to get service.

So, when people were drinking they would "wet their whistle."

"There's no free lunch."

Pennsylvania outlawed free lunches in 1917 to prevent taverns from giving free sandwiches to customers who bought beer to drink with them.

In English pubs drinks are served in pints and quarts. A customer's bar tab was listed on a chart. In old England, bartenders would advise unruly customers to mind their own pints and quarts.

It's the origin of mind your P's and Q's.

Enjoy the fall like weather as you prepare for the holidays!

Cathy Pletta

Kasson Liquor Store

Oktoberfest in Worthington

From Worthington Daily Globe

It was somewhat more contained than the 180th Oktoberfest activities going on right now in Munich, Germany, but the parlors of the Historic Dayton House in Worthington recently proved similarly merry.

The 1890 property hosted its first-ever Oktoberfest beer-tasting event, in collaboration with the Worthington Municipal Liquor Store.

"We've had very successful wine-tasting events at the Dayton House, so we followed up on the numerous requests we've received for a similar type of activity focused on beer," explained Dan Wycoff, Worthington Municipal Liquor Store manager.

"It was a fun and inspiring evening."

Structured to be slightly less formal and a bit more like an alternative happy hour than the wine-tastings, this Oktoberfest aimed to provide some education and awareness of beer qualities to attendees.

"We chose to offer European beers with outstanding taste profiles for sampling," Wycoff said. "We educated our guests on those taste profiles and paired them up with food samplings that complement the various beers."

For example, one of the beers sampled was the Belgian Stella Artois, and every half hour Wycoff demonstrated that brand's distinctive nine-step pouring process.

"The first priority was having a good time - but gaining some information along with the food, beer and social interaction also happened," Wycoff said. "The atmosphere of the Dayton House really made it all work."

The food offered as part of the local Oktoberfest celebration was equally as tantalizing as the beer choices.

"The food options included hummus and pita bread, barbecue chicken drummies, black bean salsa, tortilla pinwheels, cheese and meat skewers, cheeses and two desserts," listed Colleen Bents, manager of the Historic Dayton House.

"People responded really positively to the wine-tastings we've teamed up with Dan to offer in the past year," Bents continued. "In fact, those have been quite successful and usually sell out."

Bents said Oktoberfest guests traveled from room to room within the house, trying the various beers and nibbling the appetizers.

"It was an informal, fun event in a classy setting," said Bents.

Attendees were able to purchase additional beer samples or bottles of beer on site, and wine was also available for those who preferred it.

And just as often happens at the massive Oktoberfest celebration in Germany, guests went home with commemorative glassware - and in the case of the Dayton House Oktoberfest, that took the form of four collectible sampler glasses.

"We offered a special social and entertainment opportunity in Worthington, and simply responded to what many patrons told us they are interested in seeing - a beer-tasting," said Wycoff.

"This was one way we have of demonstrating a product selection people maybe didn't know the liquor store carries or that they want to be able to taste first before buying," he added. "Oktoberfest gave the public a fantastic opportunity to do just that."

ABV & Proof