As much as us Minnesotans like the warmth and sunshine of summer, there's nothing quite like the crisp and comfortable weather that comes with fall. Minnesota falls are for picking apples, carving pumpkins, viewing colorful foliage, sitting by the bonfire, and sipping on craft brews — all of which are plentiful in this northern state. But nothing may be more popular now than craft breweries.
Did you know that more Minnesota breweries opened in 2017 than ever before? It's true! A whopping 30 craft breweries opened in the state last year, as opposed to the 17 that opened in 2016 and 19 that opened in both 2015 and 2014. While most of them are located in the Twin Cities, many new breweries are sprouting up across the state.
It can be a little overwhelming picking one of 130 breweries statewide, but we've put together a short list of 34 hot spots outside the metro to check out. So, grab a drinking buddy, or two, and hit the road! What are you waiting for?
Local Minnesota breweries to visit this fall
Up North & West (of the Cities)
- Bemidji Brewing - Bemidji, MN
- Beaver Island Brewer - St. Cloud, MN
- Bent Paddle Brewing Company - Duluth, MN
- Big Axe Brewing Company - Nisswa, MN
- Blacklist Artisan Ales - Duluth, MN
- Boathouse Brewpub - Ely, MN
- Canal Park Brewery - Duluth, MN
- Castle Danger Brewing - Two Harbors, MN
- Disgruntled Brewing - Perham, MN
- Junkyard Brewing Company - Moorhead, MN
- Lake Superior Brewing Company - Duluth, MN
- Loony's Brew - Ranier, MN
- Moose Lake Brewing Co. - Moose Lake, MN
- Portage Brewing Company - Walker, MN
- Roundhouse Brewery - Brainerd, MN
- Third Street Brewhouse - Cold Springs, MN
- Voyageur Brewing Co. - Grand Marais, MN
Head South & East of the Cities
- F-Town Beer Company - Faribault, MN
- Forager Brewery - Rochester, MN
- Foxhole Brewhouse - Willmar, MN
- Goat Ridge Brewing Company - New London, MN
- Imminent Brewing - Northfield, MN
- Island City Brewing Company - Winona, MN
- Lakeville Brewing - Lakeville, MN
- Lift Bridge Brewery - Stillwater, MN
- Joseph Wolf Brewing - Stillwater, MN
- Mankato Brewery - Mankato, MN
- Maple Island Brewing - Stillwater, MN
- Red Wing Brewery - Red Wing, MN
- Roets Jordan Brewery - Jordan, MN
- Spiral Brewery - Hastings, MN
- Stage Coach Brewing Co. - Mantorville, MN
- Tanzenwald Brewing Company - Northfield, MN.
- Tilion Brewing - Cannon Falls, MN
Need MORE beer? No worries! Another terrific listing of Minnesota-made breweries can be found here from the great folks at MNBeer.com. And if you're unable to take to the road as much as you'd like, you can always order a number of these local brews through Haskell's online store.