There are more than 130 craft breweries in the state of Minnesota, and most of those are in the metro area.
So whether you’re a new fan of craft beer or you’re entertaining beer lovers from out of town, it can be hard to figure out where to start.
Lucky for you, I’ve been to most of the metro craft breweries, and I definitely have my favorites. Here are 12 breweries, all of which have taprooms, that serve really great beer. There are certainly more that are worth a visit, but I think these are a great jumping-off place if you’re just starting or will only be here for a few days.
If you’re new to our state, please note that our liquor laws prevent breweries from serving anything but beer brewed on the premises in their taproom, so don’t expect mixed drinks or wine at any of these establishments. A few have their own kitchens, but most rely on food trucks or neighboring restaurants to keep their clientele fed.
I’ve also included a list of my favorite local beers that are available in liquor stores. Another Minnesota liquor-law quirk: You can’t buy booze, and that includes strong beer or wine, in grocery stores, pharmacies or gas stations. Each retail establishment that sells liquor stronger than 3.2 percent alcohol must have its own entrance and exit to the outside, even if it’s attached to another store.
ST. PAUL BREWERIES
BANG
One of the coolest things about this 100 percent organic brewery is the repurposed grain silo it’s housed in. The atmosphere at the brewery, which owners Jay and Sandy Boss Febbo lovingly refer to as “the bin” is great, but so is the beer. The couple brews every batch themselves, and crisp, clean flavors are what they’re all about.
What to drink: Neat (a sparkling bitter) or Nice (a dark ale that’s great with a shot of coffee in it, which the brewery also offers).
Food: Food trucks and an intermittent sausage cart in the summer, sporadic offerings in the winter.
Hours: 4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2-10 p.m. Saturday
Bang Brewing: 2320 Capp Road, St. Paul; 651-243-2264; bangbrewing.com
URBAN GROWLER
This woman-owned brewery on the same industrial block as Bang is always up to something new. Their Plow-to-Pint series incorporates ingredients — from blueberries to wheat to lemongrass to pumpkin — grown by local farmers. The spacious taproom, in a former St. Paul Police Department horse stable, is usually hopping, as is the beer garden in warmer weather.
What to drink: Big Boot Rye IPA or any of the Plow-to-Pint beers.
Food: One of the few breweries that has a full kitchen, Urban Growler serves everything from killer nachos and burgers to a Friday night fish fry featuring lake perch.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sunday
Urban Growler Brewing Company: 2325 Endicott St., St. Paul; 651-340-5793; urbangrowlerbrewing.com
BAD WEATHER
It’s no coincidence that my favorite breweries tend to be the busiest, and this West Seventh taproom is no exception. Still, it’s usually possible to score a seat and order a beer from the huge variety they’re pouring. The beers are all made with care, and the service is speedy and friendly. Owners Joe Giambruno and Zac Carpenter used to home-brew outdoors, hence the name of the brewery.
What to drink: Right now, we’re really digging the Coffee Ominous and the Munich Dunkel Lager.
Food: No kitchen, but they get some of the best food trucks in the Twin Cities.
Hours: 3-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday; 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Saturday; 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Bad Weather Brewing: 414 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-207-6627; badweatherbrewery.com
BARREL THEORY
One of the newer breweries on this list, Barrel Theory is in the white hot Lowertown neighborhood. The brewery, started by two alums of Surly, is serving some seriously creative and delicious craft beers, with a heavy emphasis on the craft. Beer nerds are packing the place, but it’s worth battling the crowds for a fruity Berliner Weisse or a stout made with real toasted coconut.
What to drink: Anything, but especially the Berliners, Black Lotus (coconut milk stout) or the hazy IPAs.
Food: Order takeout from neighboring Dark Horse Bar and Eatery. The pizzas are especially tasty.
Barrel Theory Beer Company: 248 E. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-600-3422; barreltheory.com
WALDMANN
Like a side of history with your beer? Then this brewery, which feels a little like a museum, is for you. Waldmann’s building, constructed in 1857, is one of the oldest commercial structures in the state, and it’s been lovingly restored by owner Tom Schroeder. The beers are mostly German in style, with lots of clean, crisp lagers and one of our favorite hefeweizens.
What to drink: Pilsener or hefeweizen
Food: Full kitchen here, and the house-made wursts and sides are all fantastic.
Waldmann Brewery: 445 Smith Ave., St. Paul; 651-222-1857; waldmannbrewery.com
SUMMIT
The elder statesman among local craft breweries, Summit has been making craft beer since before it was cool — founder Mark Stutrud first brewed the brewery’s flagship Extra Pale Ale in 1986. The brewery’s stable of year-round beers are always a solid choice, but in recent years, they’ve really let their brewers get creative, to great effect, with their Unchained series. The taproom is in the midst of being remodeled, but it’s open while the work is completed.
What to drink: The beer that started it all, Extra Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout (which isn’t sold in retail outlets) or any of the Unchained varieties.
Food: There’s always a food truck when the taproom is open
Hours: 4-8 p.m. Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Friday; 12-10 p.m. Saturday
Summit Brewing: 910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul; 651-265-7800; summitbrewing.com
MINNEAPOLIS BREWERIES
SURLY
Surly’s “destination brewery” is a giant, two-story shrine to the Minnesota beer with the biggest cult following. There’s always a big variety of beers on tap, including some that are only available in the taproom, and an entire shop dedicated to the brand’s iconic merchandise. Surly is the brewery that led the drive to change state law and allow breweries to serve beer on premises, which led to the craft beer boom after 2011.
What to drink: Pentagram (dark sour ale), Todd the Axe Man (West-coast IPA), Fiery Hell (lager infused with puya chilis)
Food: Full kitchen, serving upscale bar food, including some serious barbecue, and a few more refined entrees, all of which list beer pairings on the menu.
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight. Friday-Saturday
Surly Brewing Company: 520 Malcolm Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 763-999-4040; surlybrewing.com
FAIR STATE
If you’re a fan of sour beer, Fair State has one of the best programs in the state. But no matter what style you like, this Northeast Minneapolis brewery has something for you. They brew one of my all-time favorite beers, Roselle, which is a sour beer flavored with hibiscus, which also gives it a gorgeous magenta color. The taproom resides in a very urban storefront, and it can get crowded at times.
What to drink: Any of the sours, Du Pounde (saison)
Food: No space for food trucks, but Holy Land Deli is across the street if you want some killer Middle Eastern takeout.
Hours: 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 2 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday
Fair State Brewing: 2506A Central Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-444-3209; fairstate.coop
BAUHAUS
Brewery owners tend to be a fun lot, but the Schwandt family, owners of Bauhaus, take the fun to a new level. They might be known for releasing a goofy music video with nearly every new beer they brew, but it’s not just a gimmick — the brews they make are quality. They’re known for funky lagers but also brew one of our favorite local IPAs. Their taproom renovations are set to be finished soon, but in the meantime, they’ve put a tent up over their patio and are calling it the “Cave of Wonders.” A news release says that “patrons can expect an oasis of glittering lights, luxurious astroturf and delicious beer,” and I’d take them at their word.
What to drink: Wonderstuff Bohemian Pilsner, Sky Five IPA
Food: Food trucks
Hours: 4-11 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 3-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday
Bauhaus Brew Labs: 1315 Tyler St. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-276-6911; bauhausbrewlabs.com
DANGEROUS MAN
Peanut butter, boysenberry, mango, chocolate milk and cranberries are just a few of the flavors on the beer menu at this cozy Northeast Minneapolis brewery, which focuses on serving small batches of creative beer recipes to taproom customers only. It’s always hard to find a seat here, but it’s worth standing around for a bit for a taste of the milkshake IPAs or chocolate milk stout.
What to drink: Any of the milkshake IPAs, peanut butter porter, milk chocolate stout.
Food: No space for food trucks. There are lots of nearby restaurants, but do yourself a favor and order a pizza from neighboring Young Joni.
Hours: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 3 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday
Dangerous Man Brewing: 1300 Second St. N.E., Minneapolis; dangerousmanbrewing.com
FULTON
My favorite of the downtown breweries, Fulton has also been around the longest. They make everything from IPAs to barrel-aged beer to wild sours, and they do it all well. The taproom, which technically is in the North Loop neighborhood, is usually packed, but there’s an awesome patio in the summer, and a pop-up (heated) beer garden during Super Bowl week.
Food: They have their own, permanent food truck called Taproom Kitchen, serving snacks, sandwiches, sausages and more.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 3-10 p.m.; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday
Fulton Brewing: 414 Sixth Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-333-3208; fultonbeer.com
PRYES
One of the newer breweries on my list, Pryes makes it partially because of their tasty beer, but also because the taproom is so darn cool. Featuring a feather bowling lane — it’s famous in Detroit, but people around here say it’s similar to rolle bolle, if that helps — and a kitchen that is inhabited by a rotating guest restaurant — Pryes feels like more of a destination than some other breweries.
Food: A local restaurant, currently West Seventh Truck Park, serves out of the permanent kitchen.
Hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday; 4-11 p.m. Thursday; 3 p.m.-midnight Friday; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Pryes Brewing: 1401 West River Road N., Minneapolis; 612-787-7937; pryesbrewing.com
RETAIL BEER
Not all breweries on this list distribute outside their taproom. These are a few of my favorite local beers that are available in cans or bottles.
Fair State: Roselle, a hibiscus sour, or Du Pounde, the brewery’s fantastic saison
Bad Weather: Firefly Rye,a slightly sweet, citrusy pale ale with a rye edge
Fulton: Lonely Blonde, a great everyday drinker, or Sweet Child of Vine, a standard, not-too-bitter IPA
Surly: Todd the Axe Man, a West-coast IPA, Hell, a crisp, clean lager, or Coffee Bender, a smooth oatmeal brown with a shot of coffee
Bauhaus: Wonderstuff, a pilsner like no other, or Sky Five, one of my favorite IPAs
Summit: Extra Pale Ale, a classic, or any of the Unchained series
