Baseball

Aug 06
0

Sip Your Way Through Southern Minnesota

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While researching different areas for things to do – we came across this great blog post from our friends at Explore Minnesota.  Many travelers might not realize that Minnesota boasts over 34 wineries and 75 breweries.  Grab your friends, hop on a motorcoach and sip your way through southern Minnesota.  Your tastebuds will thank you for it!

 

Sip Your Way from Minnetonka to Waconia

By Grant Erler

The southwest corner of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is well known for its many scenic lakes and attractions like the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. And in 2016, the Ryder Cup will come to Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska. But did you know this area is quickly becoming a hot spot for beer, wine and spirits connoisseurs?

Check out all eight establishments, located between Minnetonka to the east and Waconia to the west, and get a taste of the local libations.

Lucid Brewing

As one of the premier new breweries in Minnesota, Minnetonka-based Lucid Brewing is a great place to start your trek. Be sure to sign up for the Saturday tour on the brewery’s website to get a fascinating look at the brewing process and, of course, some free samples. Lucid is well known for its wonderfully hoppy Foto IPA, as well as the crisp and zesty Silo Belgian Saison.

Excelsior Brewing Company

Located in the historic town center, Excelsior Brewing Company has quickly become a local favorite. The taproom has a wonderfully friendly atmosphere and is a great place to relax with friends after a day out on the lake or strolling on Water Street. Try the full-bodied Bridge Jumper IPA.

Not far away is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, which runs from Hopkins to Victoria and also passes near Enki Brewing.

Enki Brewing exterior

Enki Brewing

Located in the 100-year-old creamery building in Victoria, Enki’s taproom offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the winter and a relaxing patio in the warmer months. Enki has a full range of brews, from the citrusy Tail Feather IPA to the indulgently rich Cacao Porter.

Waconia Brewing Company

Just two blocks from the shores of Lake Waconia in the heart of the city’s vibrant downtown, you’ll find the latest addition to the southwest metro’s brewery scene. Waconia’s first brewery since 1890 offers a wide variety of taps including its flagships: Amber, Witbier, Kolsch and West Coast IPA, plus a rotating number of seasonal offerings.

Parley Lake Winery

Located among the rolling hills near Parley Lake, this winery offers a variety of wines including the ever-popular Frontenac Gris. The winery is right next to the Carver Park Reserve, which has a number of trails through the woods and prairies for hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter.

Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery

Schram is the state’s first combination winery and brewery, located on a six-acre vineyard overlooking Reitz Lake, just southeast of Waconia. Enjoy a glass or bottle of wine or mead (honey wine), as well as the continuously rotating selection of beers in the tasting room. You can even try your hand at some bocce ball while you’re there

Sovereign Estate WinerySovereign Estates Winery

Situated on the north shore of Lake Waconia, along the popular Dakota Trail, Sovereign Estates features both indoor and outdoor tasting rooms, as well as an elegant bistro. The vineyard is on a south-sloping hill, offering beautiful views of the lake. A popular choice is the award-winning Talon Crest, a dry and fruity La Crescent white.

J. Carver Distillery

The Waconia-based distillery is named after Jonathan Carver, one of the first Europeans to explore and chart the area in 1766. Just like their namesake, the folks at J. Carver Distillery are exploring uncharted territory as they are set to become the first legal distillery to operate in the history of Carver County. Initially, they will produce gin and vodka and will eventually offer barrel-aged whiskey, bourbon, brandy and liqueurs.

Download a map of the “SW Minne Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour” and start your adventure, or learn more about the area from the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on these communities, please visit:

May 12
0

Take Us Out To The Ballgame!

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27c90790c9b1c977b9457e260c576eb2There are often times when group gets together and they want nothing more than to get away  for a day.  If you say “let’s take a charter bus” your family will probably give you a look as if you’d lost your mind.  In reality they should look at you, thank you profusely and heartily agree with your wise decision.  Taking a charter bus on your next day trip may be one of the wisest decisions you have ever made.

Let’s say, for example, that you and some friends and family members all want to take in a baseball game to see your favorite team.  But the ballpark is a solid three hour drive away.   Does it really make sense to pile into four different cars, get four different designated drivers and end up spending half your time at the game trying to stay awake after all that work?  I didn’t think so.  You should charter a bus and here’s why:

First of all the charter bus industry is regulated by the US Department of Transportation.  This means that your driver is a professional and must adhere to certain guidelines in order to keep his/her job.  Statistically, taking the bus is safer than driving your own car.  Many charter companies will allow guests to be picked up in different locations.  The bus has to start somewhere, but can easily make arrangements for a quick stop along the way to pick up your sister, your uncle or that friend from college that always makes everyone laugh.  With this benefit at your disposal you will definitely gain a few brownie points.  What if you made that three hour drive yourself?  How easy is it to find parking at a major  league baseball stadium if you’re not one of the season ticket holders?  It is usually not easy at all.  You not only have to leave your car in a lot where you have no idea if it will be safe, but then you have to trek through the elements just to get to the gate.  The bus will get you there and leave you just mere steps from the gate before leaving for that area reserved for bus parking.

You’re in the stadium now.  You can feel the excitement and you would like to have a few adult beverages.  Go for it.  You’re not driving home so any need to worry about having a couple of beverages has disappeared.  But please do not overdo it; you should always drink responsibly.  At the end of the day you’re tired.  You just sat in a small, cramped stadium seat and the last think you want to do is get into your cramped little car.  But you were smart and chartered a bus. Now all you need to do is walk out that gate and your charter bus is just waiting for you a few steps away.  You hop on, sit down and recline in a comfortable chair and start talking about the game you just witnessed.  No need to think about the traffic mess.  You let the driver be concerned with the traffic.  You never have to sit there with your foot on the brake wondering if someone will be nice enough to let you into the exit lane.  Nope.  Your driver has all of that covered so you can sit back and regale your friends with stories about how you would have made that diving play in the outfield.

But the ride isn’t over.  Many charters now are equipped with Wi-Fi.  So you can get online and check out the box score of the game and see how your rivals did as well.  Then you can take a few moments and find a great place to stop for dinner or a late night snack before saying goodbye for the day.

With all of those benefits, plus the fact that taking a charter bus is economical and friendlier to the environment, why would you go any other way?  Get your friends together, charter that bus and go enjoy America’s pastime.  Play ball!