Every Wednesday in June, the brewery has hosted a musical event in their beer garden as a fundraiser for the New Ulm Humane Society. A $1 for every beer sold goes to the society.

Teresa Grams with the New Ulm Humane Society said the Paws & Pints events every Wednesday were a great help. The attendance at the events improves each Wednesday.

Curt Van Asten, Schell’s Visitor Center general manager, said the Paws & Pints events have raised around $1,000 for the Humane Society. The New Ulm Humane Society also had a booth sent up at the event to accept additional donations.

Van Asten said the idea for Paws & Pints came from the brewery wanting to hold a weekday event and give back to a worthy cause. The Schell’s family wanted to help area animals.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Hopper, a shiba inu, attended the final Paws & Pints concert Wednesday with owner Nicole Norcutt at the Schell’s beer garden. In the background is MSU-Mankato professor Michael Olson, who provided the live music.

Each week, Paws & Pints featured a new musical group and a new food truck or food vendor. On the last night, Michael Olson, a professor at MSU-Mankato, provided the music on acoustic guitar and S&B BBQ provided the food.

Another fun aspect of Paws & Pints was the inclusion of four-legged patrons. Dogs were invited to visit the beer garden along with their owners. For many, this made the evening more entertaining.

John Kass had attended most of the Paws & Pint events this month and said it was really entertaining to see all the dogs together barking and playing with each other.

“You come for the beer and music, you stay for the dogs,” he said.

Other dog owners appreciated having an event that they were allowed, even encouraged, to bring their dogs.

Kari Muente said it was a wonderful chance to socialize with her young dog, Mr. Knightley. She said Mr. Knightley loved being in the beer garden and seeing the other dogs.

Van Asten said with the success of Pints & Paws, the brewery intends to do it again next June.

Anyone wishing to donate using to the Humane Society can do so using the DonorBox on the Brown County Humane Society homepage or mail a check to 1301 S. Valley St.