Besides being an avid coffee drinker, I enjoy a good pint of beer. Breweries are one of my favorite places to hang out on a Friday night. Bring a couple of board games, meet up with friends, and possibly play Pinball or Shuffleboard, depending on the brewery. My friends invited me to the 11th Annual Winter Beer Dabbler that occurred this past Saturday, February 22nd. Outdoor events can be risky in Minnesota, but I couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous winter day.

Walking into the Beer Dabbler, many brewery tents were lining the grounds. We were given these smaller glasses, which we could bring to the brewery tents for unlimited beer. I tasted an Oreo-flavored stout, which wasn’t half bad, but I probably wouldn’t order it again. I also tried the “Winona Rider” beer from Winona, MN. I was disappointed because I didn’t love the taste. My favorite breweries include Back Channel, Castle Danger, and Modist. There were also plenty of photo opportunities, including in front of the Beer Dabbler Ice Sculpture.

I was slightly nervous with the event being outdoors and there being only porta-potties. I consider myself to be a bathroom snob, so if I can avoid porta-potties or bathroom lines, that would be ideal. However, I was surprised by how many there were, and there were indoor bathrooms in one of the other indoor buildings for the event. There is a special kind of hell in which you have to pee, but you cannot find a bathroom.

I genuinely felt I got my money’s worth in this event. I paid $57 to drink unlimited beer from my favorite breweries. I was able to keep my souvenir glass, and live music was playing the whole time. Next year, I want to come prepared in a special Beer Dabbler outfit with a food necklace. If you’re a beer drinker, I’d highly recommend doing an event like this. I’m all about supporting local breweries, and this is one way to do that. I was able to drink beer, take pictures with friends, and have a fun night outside in the Minnesota winter.