NASL Champion Minnesota Stars FC Get Their Own Beer

When the Minnesota Stars won the 2011 North American Soccer League championship cup last fall we're sure they weren't thinking they'd be able to drink a beer made especially for them when their title defense kicked off the following spring.

The Twin Cities-based Northern Brewer, a home brewing store with over 17 years experience and the web's number one retailer of home brewing supplies, just announced a partnership with the club that will put a Stars-specific beer in the hands of their supporters.

Meet "Shining Star" Pale Ale.

In the words of Northern Brewer:

Bright and intrepid, great hops on a grassy backdrop, and superb interplay between all the elements. Wait, are we talking about the beer or the Stars Soccer team? The two converge in this tribute beer to The Minnesota Stars FC, the 2011 North American Soccer League Champions.

To support their worthy efforts we've developed a hop-forward pale ale of the American school. Palisade hops lend a smooth bitterness while Centennial and Columbus provide brisk citrus, pine, and grassy flavors. A measured contribution of crystal sweetness from Bairds Light Carastan rounds out the flavor and makes for a

A sessionable ale, perfect for watching the latest match or unwinding after a game.
Northern Brewer is donating 10% of profits from this kit to the Sanneh Foundation, a charity that focuses on soccer as a way to make a difference in the lives of inner city kids.

Stars FC now join an elite group of teams and/or supporters that have beers made in their honor, but the first home brew that fans can make themselves.

Sporting KC has their "Drop Kick" Amber Ale from Weston Brewing, while supporters of Seattle Sounders have two beers to their name ("Brougham Bitter" from Big Al and soon "No Equal" Amber from Redhook), and Columbus Crew have a pair of local beers renamed for their team.


The beer is now available from Northern Brewers online shop. Even if you're not a Stars FC, but you are a home brewing soccer fan, why not try and brew up this batch?


Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

VIDEO - "Shine On: Episode One" (Life in Division Two)

Think media coverage of Major League Soccer in your area is poor? Try being a second division team. The Austin Aztex played in the FBM's backyard last season (before chasing the almighty dollar to Orlando) and local media coverage of the team was scant to say the least.

So kudos to North American Soccer League's NSC Minnesota Stars for taking it upon themselves to produce and promote a series that takes a behind-the-scenes look that the team and the players.

Brave New Media (based in Minneapolis) committed to making a series of videos (and helping build the Stars new website) in order to recruit a new set of owners for the Stars who are currently owned by the league itself.

Deeper looks into the life and times of local, American soccer is just what the sport needs to connect with their customers. For soccer fans in America part of the appeal of the world's game is the beauty and grandeur of far off people and places, but for teams like the Stars to survive (or teams like the Aztex to stick around) there needs to be an intimate and personal link between the team and its fans.

From the NSC Minnesota stars website:

"Shine On is the story of the 2011 NSC Minnesota Stars.

The lifestyle of Division 2 soccer in the NASL is all about heart. From trying to make the major leagues to just playing for the love of the game, we'll chronicle these players and coaches throughout this long season as this team, organization and community battle to establish themselves in the growing world of American soccer."

Video series like "Shine On" provide that chance for fans to connect with their local team in a way that they never could with an overseas club. Not only do you meet players, coaches, and a team trying to live the life of professional soccer... you could ACTUALLY meet them. Their stories are our stories and the support that you give them at their local stadiums are then all the more genuine.



Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com