photo by coachwood – fotolia
Do you like running? Do you enjoy partaking in drinking craft brew? Do you enjoy sipping on a refreshing glass of those same suds after you’re done running? If yes, then lace ‘em up and head down to the nearest participating brewery for the Minnesota Brewery Running Series.
During weekends (with a few random Thursdays thrown into the mix) through Dec. 1, craft brew and running enthusiasts from seasoned ultra-marathoners to weekend warriors can head to the brewery of the week and join up with other running and ale aficionados for a weekly 5K, complete with barley-filled libations, live music, food trucks, giveaways, and more.
“But Kyle, can’t I partake in the festivities without having to torture myself with that whole running thing?” You absolutely can. But you would be missing out on all the goodies awarded to every finisher—and half the fun.
Each race includes three levels of registration with 10 percent of all proceeds benefiting local charities. $30 will get you into the race and includes free brew and collector’s pint glass or seasonal swag item post-race. For $40, you get everything included in the $30 registration as well as one of those highly coveted race shirts to show off to everyone at the gym. And if you’re feeling extra philanthropic, $100 will get you all of the aforementioned and ALL of your registration fee will be donated to charity instead of the normal 10 percent.
So for everyone keeping score at home, that’s free brew, free swag, and you’re helping out a good cause. All for running, walking, or shuffling 3.1 miles. Not a bad deal, if you ask me. Oh, and your heart will probably thank you for getting out and moving, too.
If you’d like to participate in the festivities, a full list of runs includes:
Sat. May, 26 at 11 a.m.: Finnegans Brew Co.
Sat. June, 2 at 11 a.m.: 10K Brewing
Thurs. June, 7 (Global Running Day) at 6 p.m.: Fulton Brewing
Sat. June, 16 at 11 a.m.: Bald Man Brewing
Sat. June, 23 at 10 a.m.: Excelsior Brewing Co.
Sat. June, 23 at 2 p.m.: Wayzata Brew Works
Sat. June, 30 at 11 a.m.: Inbound BrewCo
Sat. July, 7 at 11 a.m.: Chapel Brewing
Sat. July, 7 at 2 p.m.: Imminent Brewing
Thurs. July, 12 at 6 p.m.: Brew Love 5K at the Depot
Sat. July, 28 at 9 a.m.: Summit Brewing
Sat. Aug. 4 at 11 a.m.: 612brew
Sat. Aug. 11 at 11 a.m.: Bent Paddle Brewing
Sat. Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.: Blacklist Artisan Ales
Sun. Aug. 19 at 11 a.m.: Dangerous Man Brewing
Sun. Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.: Surly Brewing
Sat. Sept. 8 at 11 a.m.: Insight Brewing
Sun. Sept. 9 at 11 a.m.: Eastlake Brewery
Sat. Sept. 15 at 11 a.m.: Bauhaus Brew Labs
Sun. Sept. 16 at 11 a.m.: Lake Monster Brewing
Sat. Sept. 22 at 11 a.m.: Lupulin Brewing Company
Sun. Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.: Birch’s on the Lake Brewing
Sat. Sept. 29 at 11 a.m.: Badger Hill Brewing
Sat. Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.: Sociable Cider Werks
Sat. Oct. 13 at 11 a.m.: Modist Brewing
Sat. Oct. 20 at 11 a.m.: Wicked Wort Brewery
Sat. Oct. 27 at 11 a.m.: Fulton Brewing
Sat. Nov. 17 at 11 a.m.: Bad Weather Brewing
Sat. Dec. 1 at 11 a.m.: Bauhaus Brew Labs
Find out more about the Minnesota Brewery Running Series.
