Details for Breweries

What Is It?

MN Beer Day is a revenue and promotion opportunity for breweries and brewpubs all around the state, and a fundraiser for the Guild.  MN Beer Day invites craft beer fans to visit their favorite local taprooms all across Minnesota on the same day. Participants can get an exclusive pint glass and take advantage of custom specials at your business. MN Beer Day encourages Minnesotans to #DrinkLocal and #ShopLocal as we move into the slower winter months.

MN Beer Day Golden Ale Statewide Brew

Brew the official MN Pint Day Golden Ale and serve it up starting November 1! The base recipe can be customized however you’d like, or use your existing Golden Ale! (Members are welcome to just do the pint glasses, just do the brew, or both.)

The MN Pint Day Brew was coordinated by the MNCBG Board and is being sponsored by RahrBSG, Hopsteiner, and Malteurop. These generous businesses are offering discounts for your MN Pint Day Brew – see recipe on next tab for details.

2024 Timeline

• August-September: Artwork submissions open.
• September 19: Glassware Orders Open.
• September 27: Glassware orders close.
• October 11: Share your promotion details by this date to be included in the bulk of our marketing.
• October 14-17: Glassware shipment.
• November 1: MN Beer Day

How Does It Work?

1. Pint is created. The Guild creates the official glass.
2. Members order pints.  Ship directly to your business.
3. Plan your unique MN Beer Day! Choose if you’re going to brew the MN Beer Day Golden Ale, and decide what other promotions, events, or glassware deals you’ll use to draw customers to your taproom. This event is yours to shape, so you can do any promotion or event you like!
4. Share your promotion plan with us for additional marketing on the MN Beer Day Map! Plans are due on this form by October 11 for most promotion.
5. Promote your MN Beer Day. The Guild will provide graphics and materials, along with press support, to help promote Minnesota Beer Day to customers around the state. 
6. Profit! Sell glasses starting November 1. All proceeds raised by you from your MN Pint Day sales stay with your brewery. Grandstand will donate one dollar of each pint ordered to the Guild.

The Guild Can Help You Promote!

MN Beer Day 2024 Map Coming Soon

>> Tell us your promotion plan using this form!

Not sure what promotions to do? Below are some popular promotions from previous MN Pint Days. Breweries have also paired pint deals day with live music, trivia, meat raffles, and other events.

• Purchase Pint Glass Alone: $6-8
• Purchase Pint Glass w/ fill: $8-12
• Spend $50 in the taproom and get a glass free
• $1 off all Pint pours in your glass, even if you got it at a different brewery
• 1/2 off a pint/ BOGO beers if you buy the glass
• Paired with a fundraiser (bring a can of food, get a pint glass for $5, etc.)
• Holiday Gift specials (pair of pint glasses, a growler, and merch)

The Guild will begin promoting MN Beer Day and the MN Beer Day Map (which lists your promotional activities) in October, and will run ads on radio, Facebook, and Instagram. We’re also promoting to press, influencers, and our extensive list of festival/customer contacts. However, the majority of your customers will likely be from your local community, so be sure to do your own local promotion too!

Post About MN Beer Day and the Golden Ale Brew
Let your fans know what promotions you’re doing! If you tag us or use #MNBeerDay, we will share it with our fans too. Promotional images featuring the new glassware are also very successful!

Didn’t order pints? No problem! You can still celebrate MN Beer Day, submit promotions to our map, and use the images below; we’ve included a few that don’t feature the pint glass for you to use!

Brew the official MN Beer Day Golden Ale and serve it up starting November 1. The base recipe can be customized however you’d like, or use your existing Golden Ale! (Members are welcome to just do the pint glasses, just do the brew, or both.)

The MN Beer Day Brew is being sponsored by Hop Head Farms, RahrBSG, Hopsteiner, and Malteurop. These generous Allied Trade Members are offering discounts for your MN Beer Day Brew.

>> See Recipe and Discounts

Answers to FAQs

Why did we start doing MN Pint Day?
The Guild is always looking for new ways to help promote Minnesota craft beer, build the craft beer community, and help members generate revenue and press. We were looking for an every that allows every member to participate in their own community and customers – no travel needed! Pint Days like this have been successful in numerous other states, and our inaugural MN Pint Day (December 2021) was highly successful for participating breweries and brewpubs. The program has grown every year since.

How many glasses should I order?
This is entirely up to you! Do what works for your budget, customer engagement, and promotion plan. Last year, the average was 4 cases, with orders as high as 10 cases. Several members commented on how quickly their pints went, and 86% of last year’s participants said they’d order the same or more (33%) pints this year.

Why no shipping hubs this year?
Breweries have generally been deciding to ship directly to their breweries for convenience, rather than use Hubs. We also did not have any breweries volunteer at act as a shipping Hub this year. If interest increases, we may try to bring back the Shipping Hub option again for 2025.

The minimum order is 4 cases. What if I don’t need that many but still want to participate?
Orders can be split with other breweries/brewpubs, but you’ll need to select one shipping location and split your order on your own.

What kinds of promotions can we do?
You can do any promotion you like – once the glasses are purchased, the rest is up to you, and all proceeds will stay with your business! If you need some help, here are some popular promotions from previous MN Pint Days:

• Purchase Pint Glass Alone: $6-8
• Purchase Pint Glass w/ fill: $8-12
• Spend $50 in the taproom and get a glass free
• $1 off all Pint pours in your glass, even if you got it at a different brewery
• 1/2 off a pint/ BOGO beers if you buy the glass
• Paired with a fundraiser (bring a can of food, get a pint glass for $5, etc.)
• Holiday Gift specials (pair of pint glasses, a growler, and merch)

Can we participate in MN Beer Day even if we didn’t order pints?
Yes! MN Beer Day is meant to celebrate the entire industry. We understand pint-days aren’t a perfect fit for every brewery and community; do what works for your customers! If you’re a member of the Guild, you’re welcome to submit promotions to our map, brew the Golden Ale, and use the event to encourage customers to get out to your taproom in whatever way makes sense.

Does this help the Guild?
Yes! Grandstand will donate $1 from every pint purchased to the Guild, and that money will go towards advocacy, scholarships, and other Guild services to members.