2022 Winter Beer Dabbler Preview

This Saturday, Feb. 19th at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the Winter Beer Dabbler is back after a Covid hiatus. The Winter Beer Dabbler has become such a wonderful Minnesota craft beer tradition. I just perused the offerings that will be pouring on Saturday, and I am already looking forward to the afternoon. Tickets are still available for both General Admission (3-6:30pm) and Early Entry (2-6:30pm) so you can still get in on the action!

10 Beers That Will Keep You Warm At The Winter Beer Dabbler

The temps, as of Thursday evening, are looking to be around 20 degrees for the Winter Beer Dabbler. When the mercury gets that low, you are going to seek out beers that will put a twinkle in your eye and some heat in your tummy. Well, thankfully, there is a vast array of delicious hefty and malty libations to keep an eye out for. Here are the 10 beers that caught my eye.

Lupulin Brewing Barrel God Cuveé 2020/2021

This is a smooth, boozy, and rare treat. This imperial stout blend of 3 oak barrels. One was aged for 20 months in a Wild Turkey barrel. The second was aged for 12 months in a Four Roses barrel. The third, also was aged for 12 months in a Woodford Reserve barrel. This beer is a tremendous testament to Lupulin’s affinity for blending and aging beers. It needs to be on your radar.

Bent Paddle Brewing Barrel-Aged Extra Baked

This beer is aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon and Wheat Whiskey barrels. It will be a tasty treat with oodles of coconut and chocolate notes. This is a relatively new seasonal from Bent Paddle, and akin to their Double Shot Double Black, it is quite special.

HeadFlyer BAMF’D Choco Raspberry

HeadFlyer’s BAM’D is one of the better barrel-aged stouts that flies under the radar in the Twin Cities. This version was aged in 1792 Bourbon barrels and conditioned on chocolate, vanilla, and raspberries. It drinks smooth, but don’t let that lusciousness fool you, it is 10.9% ABV and will make traversing slick, icy surfaces a bit dicey.

Nouvelle Brewing Hazelnut Mocha Imperial Stout

I am excited to try something from Nouvelle Brewing. Being that they are a chef-driven brewery, I have high expectations for this beer. I think that the flavors will really harmonize to create a wonderfully whimsical sip. This beer was conditioned on Dogwood Coffee, toasted hazelnuts, cacao nibs, and vanilla bean. Mmm, mmm, good!

Back Channel Brewing Popeye

Let me answer the first question you have. No, this was not wet-hopped with spinach. Yes, it will be delicious because that is what Back Channel Brewing does. This beer is a biggin at 15% ABV. This imperial stout was created using Guatemala Natural coffee and local maple syrup. Breakfast in a glass at a beer festival outdoors. The only thing that could make this better is a petting zoo.

22 Northmen Barrel Aged Baltic Axe

Baltic Porters are the unicorns of the craft beer world. They are seldom seen in the wild. This particular beer from 22 Northmen was aged in red wine barrels. I am excited to see how the chocolate notes play with the red wine character of the barrel.

Shakopee Brewhall Isolator

Another old-world beer style represented! A doppelbock from Shakopee Brewhall has me really excited. I love this style and I can’t wait to be wowed by the intense malty flavors of this beer! This beer clocks in at 9.6%, so it is sure to warm you from head to toe.

Modist Brewing At the Center of Everything

Big barrel-aged beers is something that is definitely in Modist Brewing Company’s wheelhouse. I have loved many of their barrel-aged malty behemoths. This one seems like it will really knock your socks off at 14% ABV. This triple coconut milk stout is a treat that I am excited to drink.

Uncommon Loon Brewing Raven’s Cry

This barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout is damn-near liquid perfection. Smoothness? Check. Chocolate? Check. Dark fruit flavors? Check. I am not sure you can really ask for more in this style. This marvel from Uncommon Loon Brewing will go fast so plan accordingly.

Giesenbräu Doppel the Hutt

This work of art from Giesenbräu Bier Co. is my favorite Doppelbock in Minnesota. Lots of malty caramel and stone fruit flavors. I always look forward to this beer releasing. While Jabba is now just a ghost wandering under the rays of Tatooine’s twin suns, this beer shows up once a year in New Prague! Try it, you’ll like it!

Saturday afternoon promises to be a frivolity-filled afternoon of dabbling. I will be there enjoying the Winter Beer Dabbler in all its winter glory. There will be lots of food trucks, music, vendors, and thirsty people. So, like I said, this is the iconic outdoor winter beer festival. It is always fun. Before you know it, the snow will be melted, and everyone will be back to navigating butt-sweat and high humidity. So, you gotta enjoy these winter pleasures while they last. Prost!

Dan Beaubien has been involved with Beerploma since 2014 although his passion for craft beer dates back to 2006 when he started traveling for beer.  He mostly covers craft beer events, festivals, brewery openings/releases, and beer reviews. Dan has a soft spot in his heart for authentic British Style ales, IPAs, and all things barrel-aged.  If you have any questions or comments about this article feel free to email Dan at dan.beaubien@beerploma.com .