Go for the hundreds of beer samples. Go for the signature pretzel necklaces. Go for the three stages’ worth of DJs. Go for even more beer samples. Go for the snowmobiles jumping through the air in the background, and the insane and insanely large snow sculptures, and go for the food trucks. Go for the cute little collectible sampling cups you get to bring home. And, yes, go for yet another round of beer samples, all at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Does that sound like hyperbole? It’s not—there’s a reason that the Beer Dabbler has stood as the premiere sampling event (that includes seltzers, too, btw) for years. They bring in hundreds of Minnesota breweries and hundreds of national breweries to their party, and those breweries bring with them selections of their signature brews and specialties that beer fans typically can’t get their mitts on. And of all the Dabblers, the Winter installment has some of the most fun—both a beautiful winter day or freezing polar vortex play into the fun of stomping around the State Fairgrounds, gnawing on a necklace snack, trying as many samples as possible. The event routinely sells out ahead of time, so don’t wait on your tickets.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that you can also go as a designated driver and get a super cheap $20 ticket to party with your friends and then bring them home as a hero.