American Homebrewers Conference

Pre-conference Events

More events will be added in the coming months. For further details and to register for an event, visit the Minneapolis local committee website.

Wednesday, June 16

Brewmaster's Brunch

Brunch is served, at one of the Twin Cities' premiere restaurants/beer bars! Start your pre-conference day out right with a gourmet breakfast prepared by a master chef, paired with some of Minnesota's finest beers!

Tour Itenerary
9:00 amMeet at Sheraton Bloomington lobby
9:45 amArrive at The Happy Gnome
10:00 amBrunch at The Happy Gnome
11:30 amWalk to The Muddy Pig (bring along cash for beers!)
12:30 pmBus trip back to Sheraton Bloomington
1:15 pmArrive at Sheraton Bloomington

Minnesota Twins vs. Colorado Rockies

We'll expect the AHA staff from Boulder to be in full Rockies regalia for this one! Board the bus for one of Minnesota's finest brew pubs for a pre-game round or two, then head out for Target Field, Minneapolis' brand new major league ball park to see the Minnesota Twins slug it out with the Colorado Rockies! Will Charlie P catch the first fly ball in Target Field??

Tour Itenerary
5:00 pmMeet at Sheraton Bloomington lobby
5:45 pmArrive at Town Hall Brewery
6:45 pmDepart Town Hall Brewery for Target Field
7:10 pmFirst pitch
10:30 pmBus trip back to Sheraton Bloomington
11:00 pmArrive at the Sheraton Bloomington

Note: Game times vary, however, generally last 3 hours .
Please make sure to have additional cash available for emergencies and more beer and food.

Twin Cities Brewery Tour

All aboard for a luxury coach tour of some of the Twin Cities most famous breweries! Meet Mark Stutrud from Summit Brewing Company, Jeff and Cathie Williamson from Flat Earth Brewing, Omar Ansari from Surly Brewing, and other surprises. Includes a stop for lunch along the way, returning by Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 pm.

Tour Itenerary
9:30 amTour Surly Brewing Company
11:30 amLunch
1:00 pmTour Summit Brewing Company
2:45 pmTour Flat Earth Brewing Company
5:00 pmBus returns to Sheraton Bloomington

BJCP Judge Reception

Bus leaves hotel at 4:45 pm to Summit Brewing. We'll start with a tour followed by a catered dinner paired with Summit beers which will be on tap for the evening. A short lecture on the differences between real ale and kegged ale with a tasting during the dinner. Post dinner education events include a horizontal pyment tasting and a mead blending lab. Sign up at www.BJCP.org.

Twin Cities Pub Crawl

Make the circuit of Twin Cities brewpubs with tour guides from the Twin Cities' homebrew club. Staggered buses will leave beginning at 6:00 pm—buses leave on every half-hour from one pub to the next. Stay as long as you wish before moving along!

Tour Itenerary
6:00 pm Buses begin departing from Sheraton Bloomington
12:00 amLast bus leaves for hotel

Pre-Con Party! BNA5/NB17

Celebrate the Brewing Network's 5th Anniversary and Northern Brewer's 17th Anniversary (a couple months early) at Northern Brewer World HQ in Roseville MN, 8 – 11:30 pm. Free buses from the conference hotel, beer samples, live music, swag, and a live videocast by the Brewing Network.


The AHA's National Homebrewers Conference is brought to you
by the Brewers Association.
+1.303.447.0816, +1.888.822.6273 (U.S. and Canada only)
For more information email [email protected].
All photos © 2009 Ed Bronson