It's a little known fact (which we just made up) that the Rolling Stones hit "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is about rare beer. Fortunately, you don't have to yearn like Jagger thanks to the second annual Northern Lights Rare Beer Festival, which assembles hard-to-find quaffs next Saturday at the Minnesota History Center.
However, you can't always drink everything you want, so scouting is key. Here are some beers to watch for.
Last year's fest was abuzz about Central Waters' anniversary beer 16 and the underrated Wisconsin brewery is bringing its latest barrel-aged imperial stout, dubbed (yep) 17. Indeed's debuting an unnamed blend from its Wooden Soul wild ale series, which local fans are watching like Bourbon County Stout delivery schedules. Speaking of BCS, Goose Island is touting a 2008 vintage of its ballyhooed imperial stout, while Surly's cracking '09 Darkness.
Consistently impressive Steel Toe has quietly upped its Belgian game and will feature a Belgian-style dark ale aged in malbec barrels, and we can never get enough of Fitger's barrel-aged 1100 Wheat Wine.
(7-10 p.m. March 28. $100. 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, www.rarebeerfest.com.)
