Feature image credit: Larry Edwards

Finding your way around the sprawling grounds of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival can be daunting, but fear not! We’ve charted out all the boozy hot spots, so you lords and ladies don’t have to wander around with your goblets empty for long.

What’s New?

The Uncorked Vintry wine bar, located past the Banner Oak Event Center and by the Viking Encampment, is offering a new California rosé from Menage a Trois. Beware, once you enter this cozy, vine-covered nook you might not want to leave!

Bloody Mary’s Tickled Pickle Craft Cocktail booth, near the Troubadour Stage, has a few brand new concoctions. Most notable is the Jester’s Cinnamon Hard Cider, an intense mix of Woodchuck cider and cinnamon whiskey. Only for the boldest knights of the realm!

J. Bird Wines is debuting a new mead flavor called Odin. It’s available only at the Mead Social, a ticketed event taking place daily at 4pm. All we could learn about this mysterious brew is that it has notes of birch root and sarsaparilla — and that we want a taste!

Daily Royal Events

Tickets for these special events can be found at the Banner Oak Event Center, marked out in green on the map. These are just a few of the many events offered; be sure to check out the official Renaissance Festival page for more info! Space is limited, so get your day planned early!

Off the Vine Wine Tasting
Daily at 2:15pm – $25.00 per person
Enjoy a selection of fine wines and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres while enjoying lively entertainment. Must be 21+ with valid ID.

Mead Social
Daily at 4:00pm – $20.00 per person
Taste various flavors of honey mead while mingling with entertainers and friends. Tickets include a collectable Renaissance mead glass! Brought to you by J. Bird Wines. Must be 21+ with valid ID.

Scotch Tastings
Saturdays at 3:00pm – $45.00 per person
Learn about the distilling process while sampling four varieties of distinctive scotch. Must be 21+ with valid ID.

Bust Duster Bingo
Daily at 11:0am – $25.00 per person
Bingo! Brunch! Bloodys! Come play bingo with the Bust Dusters for a chance to win prizes while enjoying Bloody Marys and a delicious brunch with friends and entertainment.

Hungry? Check out our Guide to Fest Feasting for some of the best libations the festival has to offer, and what eats to pair them with.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival runs weekends through October 1 at 12364 Chestnut Blvd in Shakopee, MN. Gates open at 9am and close 7pm, rain or shine. Huzzah!

While contributor Sam Fox works at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival (for an independent artisan), this article represents her own opinions and is in no way a paid promotion for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival or the vendors mentioned in this piece.