The Wake

One, 16, 18, 21: these are the landmark birthdays that merit bona fide celebrations. But Summit Brewery Co. is breaking the mold by celebrating its 20th this weekend, partying it up with favorite brews and bands on Harriet Island.

Saturday’s daylong celebration features successful Minnesota-bred groups the Suburbs and Soul Asylum, who will grace the lineup alongside Tapes N’ Tapes, the Alarmists, and Big George Jackson. The Minnesota Police Pipe Band, Cake, and British folk rocker Richard Thompson will also make a trip to the island.

“The focus has been to bring Minnesota related bands because Summit’s a Minnesota beer,” Summit spokesperson Sue Sorensen Lee explains. One member of Big George Jackson and two members of the Alarmists also work for Summit’s brewery, though they may not need to hold their day jobs for long.

The Alarmists, a group of five twenty-somethings hailing from the ‘burbs (with the bassist originally from Lebanon), have already brought their Britpop sound to the Wild River Festival, 7th Street Entry, and the Bryant Lake Bowl Block Party this month. Their debut album, A Detail of Soldiers, gets frequent play on the Current.

Another 89.3 darling is Minneapolis buzz band Tapes N’ Tapes. They’ll head to Harriet Island from their European tour, where they spent the last month playing sold-out venues in the UK and Ireland. Their indie rock, down-home style varies from fast polka renditions to slower, blues-influenced tunes, which recently got them signed with XL Records.

Lee says that Summit, as a local brewery, has always done its best to support the local music industry, citing Summit’s support of “The Jazz Image” on Minnesota Public Radio as an example.

“It’s really rare for a brewery to host a music festival,” Lee continues. “We just want to celebrate our 20 years in the Twin Cities with all the people that enjoy Summit.” St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will join the celebration—and he’s bringing a birthday gift to boot. Coleman is formally naming September 30th “Summit Day.”

The “Big Brew” party will be stocked with several local beverages, including Summit’s newest draft, the Limited Edition Extra Special Bitter, introduced in July for the anniversary. Eight Twin Cities restaurants will also dish up local fare, including southwestern eats from Edina’s Tejas, and cuisine from southern homecookin’ and barbecue joint Dixie’s in St. Paul.

Unlike the Brewery, which is apparently cool enough to party like a rock star on its 20th birthday, those of us who are underage will have to wait until our 21st to share a proper cheers with Summit. But the live music and fresh food are still fair game for all. Now that’s something to celebrate.

Tickets can be purchased at the Brewery for $20 until September 29, at www.ticketworks.com for $25, or at the celebration for $30. The “Big Brew” will be on Harriet Island September 30 from noon to 10 p.m.; .