Riding the Spirit of the North: Earth Rider Brewery and the American Birkebeiner

Every February, thousands of skiers glide through the Northwoods on a ribbon of snow that connects generations, communities, and a shared love of winter. The American Birkebeiner isn’t just a race—it’s a pilgrimage. A celebration of endurance, camaraderie, and the rugged beauty of the Upper Midwest. For Earth Rider Brewery, the official beer of the American Birkebeiner, the partnership is more than a sponsorship. It’s a homecoming.

Earth Rider is Proud to be the Official Beer of the Birkie in 2026. Are you or someone you know in this classic shot from 1991?

Founder Tim Nelson skis the Korteloppet as a High School Senior in 1985.

A Family Story Rooted in the Birkie Trail

Long before Earth Rider poured its first pint, brewery founder Tim Nelson and his brother Brad were clipping into skis at the starting line of the Korteloppet. It was 1984, and the brothers were teenagers discovering the thrill of Nordic skiing and the culture that surrounds it. Those early races sparked a lifelong connection to the trail and the community that gathers around it.

Brad Nelson (center) skied to a photo-finish medal with Kurt Wolf and Jon Halverson in 1992.

Endurance and Excellence

Just as skiers train for months to glide across the finish line, Earth Rider’s brewers commit to craft, consistency, and quality. Every beer is brewed with intention—no shortcuts, no compromises.

The Birkie is now a tradition for Tim and Brad's families.

Community and Connection

The Birkie brings together skiers, volunteers, families, and fans from across the world. Earth Rider’s taproom and festival grounds do the same by offering a gathering place where stories are shared and friendships are forged.

A Deep Sense of Place

The Northwoods shape the Birkie experience. Lake Superior shapes Earth Rider beer. Both are expressions of the landscape—bold, clean, and unmistakably northern.

Earth Rider Haakon Honey Bock is brewed every year, just in time for Birkie ski week.

A Toast to the Trail

As skiers glide into Hayward and spectators cheer along Main Street, Earth Rider is

proud to raise a glass to everyone who makes the Birkie what it is: athletes, families,

volunteers, and the community that keeps the tradition alive.

From the Nelson brothers’ first Korteloppet to today’s multigenerational celebrations, the Birkie has always been part of the Earth Rider story. And now, as the official beer of the American Birkebeiner, Earth Rider Brewery is honored to help celebrate the spirit of the North—one finish line, one family, and one handcrafted beer at a time.

Tim skiing the Korteloppet as a University of Minnesota - Duluth ski team member.

Ingrid and August Nelson carry on the Birkie family tradition.