MN State Fair Booth Brewing Support For Local Craft Beer

FALCON HEIGHTS (WCCO) -- Craft brew drinkers, rejoice! The Ball Park Café at the Minnesota State Fair is selling great craft beers on draft -- many of them from this very state.

No, the State Fair certainly hasn't been devoid of craft brews, but the selection has left much to be desired until now.

Six beers from Minnesota are being sold at the Ball Park: Surly Furious, Surly Bender, Surly Hell, Liftbridge Farm Girl Saison, Liftbridge Chestnut Hill and Schell's Firebrick Lager. From hop-heavy to Belgian-influenced to all-malt lager, their Minnesota selection is a nice variety for the vast array of beer drinkers visiting the fair.

If you'd like to try more than one, you can try a sampler that includes the Furious, Bender and Farmgirl.

(from left to right: Farmgirl, Bender, Furious)

Dan Theisen, who co-owns the Ball Park with his brother, Dave, came up with the idea at a Twins game.

"He's a season ticket owner," said Jake Seaverson, who works at the Ball Park. "He's a craft beer drinker, always went and got Summit, noticed the lines at the Twins game. It was always busy. So, he decided, 'I'm going to do this at the Fair.'"

The Ball Park also offers six national craft brews: Arrogant Bastard Ale, Alaskan Amber, Alaskan IPA, Odell 90 Shilling, Goose Island 312 and Tallgrass Halcyon. The national sampler includes Arrogant Bastard, Alaskan Amber and the Tallgrass Halcyon.

One last suggestion: try coupling your pick of craft beer with the Ball Park's garlic fries. It's a great combination.

The Ball Park is located on the east side of Underwood Street, between Carnes and Dan Patch avenues.

WCCO-TV Crew Checks Out The Ball Park's Brew

Other craft beers can be found at the International Bazaar stage, the Grand Stand and Giggles Camp Fire. For further information on beer and other food booths, click here.

Also, for a look at more top-notch Minnesota beer, check the "Best Beers In The Twin Cities."