THE POUR

It’s no secret that Minnesota has grown to produce lots of craft beer — and we’re getting attention around the nation because of it. But let’s not leave out a growing scene that has roots all around our fine state: Minnesota wineries.

You may think that the north Midwestern climate is too cold and often too humid to grow grapes like the world-renowned vines in dry, arid climates like Italy, France, California, and Argentina. Though our colder climate is harsh for many grape varieties, thanks to the research and perseverance of the University of Minnesota, we are ripe for a few cold-hardy hybrid grape varieties. That includes one of the state’s most important grapes: Frontenac.

But are they any good? We say the best way to find out is to drink Minnesota-grown wines for yourself and see what you enjoy. There are a surprising number of wineries across our state to choose from. Work your way through Haskell’s custom-made ultimate list of Minnesota wineries, and you’ll find many unexpected varieties based in scenic locations around our beautiful state.

We could write every day about Minnesota craft beers and never lose things to talk about. Why? Because so many are well-crafted, rooted in tradition – and, most importantly, great to drink.

Here’s our "hot list" of Minnesota’s best brews, some of our favorites, and some of the top-sellers around our state. The final decision is up to you, since everyone’s tastes differ and there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to what hops make you happy. But you could definitely have a lot of fun exploring these options, either from A to Z (okay, our list ends at W), or one end of the state to the other! Cheers!

It’s time to up your Mojito-making skills. The classic Cuban highball cocktail is a summer favorite for a reason. It's refreshing and it's pretty simple to make. You don't need to tell your guests that part, but there are a few tips we'd like to share to help you impress your friends and let you kick back with these easy Mojito recipes.

There are four main Mojito ingredients to keep in mind when creating this magic. It's all about quality ingredients from the start.

What You Need to Know About the 4 Key Mojito Ingredients

Summer in Minnesota is pure magic. If you haven’t already been hanging at the lake, taking weekend trips up to the cabin, or throwing grill-out parties in the backyard, you will be for Independence Day – and so much more.

Whether your 4th of July plans involve a summer barbecue, lazy pool lounging, yard games or just simply hanging out with family and friends, these 4th of July cocktails are sure to spark your perfect blend of American pride and joy.

Patriotic Mojito Cocktail

You’ve celebrated Independence Day many times, but you’ve never enjoyed it with this kind of 4th of July cocktail. Give the Patriotic Mojito a spin and you might have found yourself a new annual tradition that combines the sweet joy of summer and the tasty excitement of the holiday.

It may sound like the name of your spunky aunt, but it’s actually delicious wine (or two). Syrah and Shiraz are full of flavor and best enjoyed when you get to know them a little bit.

You may have heard of Syrah and Shiraz, but what exactly are they, and how are they different?

An Introduction to the Syrah/Shiraz Grape

Just like other grape varietals, such as Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape but have slightly different names because they make for different wines. (Remember terroir?)

Syrah is the name of the grapes and corresponding wines coming from France, so this is an Old World wine. Sometimes Syrah is produced in places besides France. However, in Australia – and a few other places considered by the wine community to be New World, like South Africa, Argentina, and the United States – it’s called Shiraz.

The Syrah/Shiraz grape carries flavors of jammy fruits like blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, and boysenberry.

(Ever heard of Petite Sirah? That’s an entirely different grape and different wines.)

Whether during the dead of our harsh winter or on one of our sunny summer days, Minnesotans look forward to enjoying themselves with the best Minnesota beers.

And that’s pretty easy to do. At recent count, there were more than 150 craft breweries in Minnesota alone! The nationwide Brewers Association has rated Minnesota brewers (like Surly and Summit) among the best craft brewers in the United States. Beer made in Minnesota is on tap in hundreds of bars and restaurants, and it’s distributed around the Midwest and the country – some even around the world. This is clear: not only does our state make a lot of beer in a lot of places, but we also have some pretty damn good brews that other states would be jealous of.

So with all those massive numbers of options, how do discerning Midwesterners pick the best Minnesota beers? We polled our favorite people – you – and collected some of our favorite responses and best recommendations.

Wine is made from grapes, right? So, it makes sense that wine works with other fruit as well.  Add fruit and wine and you have summer in a glass – or pitcher – and we have one word for it: refreshing. We’ve found five refreshing wine recipes with fruit that take advantage of inexpensive wine, or perhaps wine that you’re not necessarily fond of but seem to have extra bottles of on hand – perhaps thanks to recent guests who brought their favorite “cheap wine find.” We say every wine has a purpose, so why not use that wine to make a killer wine cocktail?

Let’s start with a few sangria recipes.

Sangria is a popular Spanish drink, typically made with red wine, fruit juice, and fresh fruit – and spiked with brandy – though there are recipes for both red and/or white wine. While Spaniards enjoyed this fruit-infused concoction for centuries, it was formally introduced to America at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.

You’re standing in the wine section surrounded by bottles from around the world, but you can’t remember if your friend said she likes Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris. The names are almost the same, but how about the wines? If you buy the wrong one, will she know the difference?

This pair of Pinots is a great example for anybody who wants to complain about wine names sounding confusing. Some are, but understanding their differences is what makes studying wine so fun. Where else do you get to tip back a glass to learn something? So, let's discuss the differences and similarities of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, as well as some delicious food pairings that will help you get the most enjoyment out of these popular white wines.

The time we all dream of is here: summertime “up at the cabin.”

That’s right – the upper Midwestern exodus to lakeside weekends, family reunions, and fun in the sun has finally arrived. That means you need to get your plan down, not just for who’s grilling burgers or competing in this year’s volleyball tournament, but what you’ll drink for cabin happy hour.

Pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunny disposition, because that’s just about all you’ll need in addition to a tasty cabin happy hour full of crisp wines, refreshing beers, and cocktail recipes for just the right summer getaway feeling.

It’s no longer news to say that Minnesota has risen to the ranks of serious wine and craft beer contenders. The people who work in the tasty beverages industry serve up so many great drinks with expansive knowledge that it can feel overwhelming to choose where to go and what drink to try.

Take the guesswork out of your beverage adventures by going to events that feature variety and offer some of the best things to fill your glass.

What’s happening around the Twin Cities while the weather is oh-so Minnesota nice? Mark your calendars with your favorites from these fine options for events big and small this summer and fall.