The locals enjoy it so much, they made it the official beer of Applefest!

Apple Festing

Every September for the last 70 years, everybody gets together for a big parade with dozens of floats and marching, baton-twirling kids who stomp down to Abnet field next to the La Crescent Middle/High School to kick off Applefest.

If you listen you can hear the Apple Annies singing acapella and when you see them, you might be lucky enough to have your cheek adorned with an apple sticker or your t-shirt with an Applefest button. There’s a carnival, a cornhole tourney, a 5K run/walk, there are orchard tours, apple pie, a coronation of the new Royal Family and a beer tent with non-stop activities. This is where the tapping of the infamous, “Red Apple Keg” takes place.

Collaboration Across Borders

Celebrating generations of apple-farming, we call this a beer without borders as it brings cross-river neighbors from two different states together for a little hootin’ and hollerin’.

Like a marriage made in heaven, the Applefest Appleweizen is a marriage of fresh, light Wisconsin wheat ale and local, fresh-squeezed Minnesota Apples!

La Crescent, MN is right across the Mighty Miss from our brewery and La Crescent is surrounded by family-operated apple orchards. That’s why it’s known as The Apple Capital of Minnesota!

The Apples

Of all the apple varieties grown around here, Brewmaster Joe chose Honeycrisp apples because they are so darn good. We also like the fact that they are a Minnesota native! Honeycrisps are one of nine apple cultivars initially cultivated by the University of Minnesota that have become commercial varieties.

Patented in 1988 and released to the public in 1991, this apple wasn’t bred to grow, store or ship well. It was bred for taste: crisp, with balanced sweetness and acidity. That’s why we love ‘em. Local Honeycrisp apples are hand-harvested each Fall from one of the orchards just a few miles from our brewery and pressed into the freshest, most delicious juice you’ve ever had.

The Beer

Wheat beer brewed with Wisconsin barley and wheat malts. Fermented with a specific yeast for a pronounced estery aroma often found in Bavarian wheat beers and LAB for a fresh tanginess.

Seasonal Fall Release – 5.5% ABV 6 IBUs