By Starrla Cray Staff Writer Herald Journal
WINSTED, MN – For a chance to sample beer and wine from about 25 local and national craft breweries, look no further than the St. Mary’s Craft Beer Festival in Winsted, MN.
This first-ever event will take place Saturday, July 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Winstock Country Music Festival grounds. Gates will open at 2 p.m.
“We’re anticipating 1,000 people for the first year,” said Tom Ollig, development director at St. Mary’s Care Center.
Only those 21 and older, with a valid ID, will be allowed to enter. Participants will receive a commemorative mug to use for the 2-ounce beer and wine samples, and they will be able to vote for their favorite beverage.
“Everyone will get a card listing what’s available,” Ollig said.
The festival will also include live entertainment, information about various crafting topics, and food. Vendors will be located under large tents, and the event will take place rain or shine.
“We’re planning to have German music, a beanbag toss competition, hammerschlagen, and other games,” Ollig said. (For those who haven’t heard of it, hammerschlagen is a game of skill involving a hammer, a nail, and a log.)
Plenty of snacks and meal items will be for sale during the festival. The Winsted Lions Club will grill hot dogs and brats, the Holy Trinity Knights of Columbus will make pork chops, and Casey’s General Store in Winsted will have pizza. The Blue Note in Winsted will offer mixed drinks, wine coolers, and regular beer.
The festival is being organized by members of the St. Mary’s Community Relations Committee and the Winstock Country Music Festival Committee, including Mary Purcell, Pastor Mark Loder, Mary Ellen Campion, Bill Fynboh, Steve Stotko, Tom Ollig, Helen Guggemos, Joan Genty, Tim Dahl, Julie Weinbeck, Bev Hoffman, Mike Henrich, LuAnn Ollig, Butch Amundson, Ron Otto, Joe Rasset, and Bonnie Quast.
“It wouldn’t happen without sponsors and vendors,” Ollig said, explaining that he is grateful for the generous financial support of local businesses.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.stmarysbrewfest.com, or at the Blue Note Ballroom in Winsted.
Early-bird tickets, available through Saturday, May 31, are $25 each. From Sunday, June 1 until the event date, tickets will be $30 each. At the gate, tickets will be $35 each. Designated driver tickets are available for $10 each, and include a mug and non-alcoholic beverages.
There is no charge for parking.
Ticket sales will benefit St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, possibly to renovate residents’ rooms.
“We wanted to create a sustaining event that raises money every year, and we wanted it to be something special that the community would enjoy,” Ollig said.
For more information about the festival, go to www.stmarysbrewfest.com, e-mail info@stmarysbrewfest, or call (320) 485-3139.
Check it out . . . When: Saturday, July 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. Where: Winstock grounds, 3233 230th St. in Winsted, MN. Who: Ages 21 and older with a valid ID. Cost: $25 per ticket until May 31; $30 from June 1 to the day of the event; $35 at the gate. Why: To raise money for St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted. Tickets can be purchased at stmarysbrewfest.com.
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