- Question: What led to the third boom of brewing in Minnesota?
- Answer: The passing of 2011’s Surly Bill, which allowed smaller breweries to sell on site at their own tap rooms, has led to a third boom of brewing in Minnesota.
- Question: How has the craft beer scene evolved in Minnesota?
- Answer: Today, dozens of breweries are offered throughout the Twin Cities region and beyond, with craft microbreweries offering unique beers and company concepts, including brewery co-operatives and create-your-own-brew programs.
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1. 10K Brewing
Sip small-batch beers and enjoy local vibes on an easy weekend outing.
10K Brewing’s name is a reference to its location within the “Land of 10K Lakes,” a statement reflecting its commitment to Minnesota values and hospitality. The family-owned brewery has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and has been the recipient of a number of regional awards, including the Autumn Brew Review’s 2016 and 2017 awards for best brewery. New beers are brewed each week at the company’s three-barrel brewhouse and tap room, with pints and growler fills offered for sale Tuesdays through Sundays. An extensive rotation of brews are tapped periodically, ranging from classic styles such as hefeweizens and altbiers to fruit-forward IPAs and cream ales and unique one-offs such as the brewery’s reduced-gluten stout or The Worst Beer We Ever Made sour Scottish ale. Free food delivery is offered from the adjacent MaGillycuddy’s Irish pub restaurant.
2005 2nd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303, Phone: 763-392-4753
2. 56 Brewing
Taste seasonal pours and explore the taproom on an affordable craft beer trip.
56 Brewing is a Northeast Minneapolis microbrewery and tap room founded in 2015 by master brewer Kale Johnson and a collaborative team of brewers and beer enthusiasts from the Minneapolis region. The company’s brewers strive to “make beer we like to drink,” offering unique, drinkable ales for the local community to enjoy. It follows a community-supported brewery co-operative business model, allowing brewery members to purchase beverages at an exclusive discount, and serves ales in a converted industrial space that has been transformed with a focus on “Garden-to-Growler” synergy with its environment and nature. Beers such as the brewery’s Nose Hair Bender American IPA and NE Nectar Ale are made with local hops and indigenous herbs and spices to reduce the brewery’s carbon footprint.
3055 NE Columbia Ave Suite 102, Minneapolis, MN 55418, Phone: 612-404-0056
3. Badger Hill Brewing
Try bold brews and relax with friends on a fun summer weekend.
Badger Hill Brewing is operated by brothers and co-owners Broc and Brent Krekelberg and shares its Shakopee brewhouse facility with Minneapolis brewpub Finnegan’s in a cooperative brewing agreement. The brewery produces a wide variety of small-batch beers, including its flagship Minnesota Special Bitter ale, a unique recipe utilizing four varieties of American and European hops, and its Foundation Stout, which pays homage to Irish and English stout styles and creates an aromatic flavor reminiscent of coffee. 10 rotating beers are showcased at its tap room, including a nitro offering. Pints and growler sales are available, with rotating food truck pop-ups hosted on site. A dog-friendly patio is offered for well-behaved pets, and treats such as popsicles are available for supervised children.
4571 Valley Industrial Blvd S #500, Shakopee, MN 55379, Phone: 952-230-2739
4. Bang Brewing Company
Admire a grain silo taproom and savor organic ales on an unusual trip.
Bang Brewing Company was opened in September of 2013 by brewers Sandy and Jay Boss Febbo and originally offered a single beer offering, its Neat single-hop American pale ale. For several years into its tenure, the brewery offered a single year-round selection, with its flagship brew rotated periodically. Today, the brewery has expanded to offer several flagship brews, including its Minn American mild and Nice St. Paul Dark Ale. Its brewhouse and tap room reflects its minimalist ethic, founded on principles of environmental stewardship and utilizing energy-efficient technologies. All brews are made exclusively with organic ingredients, and dog-friendly patio seating encourages visitors to enjoy beers in a natural light setting.
2320 Capp Rd, St Paul, MN 55114, Phone: 651-243-2264
5. Beaver Island Brewing Company
Sample signature pints and explore downtown St. Cloud on a quick beer stop.
Beaver Island Brewing Company was founded by homebrewers Matt Studer and Nick Barth and strives to create memorable beers with thoughtful twists that engage and unite the St. Cloud community. Year-round brews offered at the brewery include their Ripple German Ale, ‘39 Red IPA, Revival Coast-to-Coast IPA, and Sweet Miss Chocolate Oatmeal Milk Stout. Limited releases focus on unique style and flavor profiles, including releases such as the brewery’s Soaked Revival Spanish Orange Ale and releases within the River Hopper Expedition IPA series. Well-behaved pets are welcomed on the brewery’s taproom patio, and private special event rentals are available for corporate and community events. Brewery tours may also be scheduled upon request.
216 6th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, Phone: 320-253-5907
6. Bent Brewstillery
Enjoy inventive beers and discover house spirits on an exciting hybrid tasting trip.
Bent Brewstillery is owned and operated by Bartley and Brenda Blume and operates as a combination brewery and distillery, striving to bring the principles of experimentation and high-quality preparation prioritized in the craft microbrewing world to the practice of crafting fine liquor. Liquors emphasize similar flavor profiles to craft beers, with variants available such as the company’s Double IPA-Skey hopped whiskey, Gunner Ghost Navy-strength gin, Flamebringer hot pepper-infused rum, and Coffee Stormbringer rum-infused cream liqueur. Several year-round beers are also offered, including the company’s Nordic Blonde Amber Blonde Ale, ENUFF IPA, and Nicked Double Stout. Food trucks are available periodically at the company’s pet-friendly tap room, with visitors encouraged to order their own food for delivery from local restaurants.
1744 Terrace Dr, Roseville, MN 55113, Phone: 844-879-2368
7. Bent Paddle Brewing Company
Go to Duluth for craft flavors and enjoy lake vibes on a fall getaway.
Bent Paddle Brewing Company was opened to the public in May of 2013, founded by couples Karen and Bryon Tonnis and Colin and Laura Mullen. The pairs brought extensive brewing experience to the company, including Bryon’s tenure as head brewer at Minneapolis’ Rock Bottom Brewery. Its name is derived from the brewers’ love of canoeing, which resulted in Bryon’s use of a bent canoe paddle to mix brewing mash in his personal brewing efforts. The brewery has been named as Minnesota’s best new brewery by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and has received medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including a 2017 gold medal for its 14° ESB. Other core brews include the company’s Kanu Session Pale Ale, Venture Pilsner, Bent Hop Golden IPA, and Cold Press Black Coffee Ale.
1832 W Michigan St, Floor 1, Duluth, MN 55806, Phone: 218-279-2722
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