The Hot List of Minnesota Craft Beer and Where to Go to Enjoy Them

Minnesota has earned its reputation as "The Land of 10,000 IPAs" thanks to our thriving craft beer scene. From historic breweries with German roots to innovative newcomers pushing flavor boundaries, the North Star State offers a diverse landscape of craft brews. This guide highlights the best local breweries, their standout beers, and perfect food pairings to enhance your Minnesota craft beer experience.

Top Minnesota Breweries & Their Signature Brews

Surly Brewing Co. (Minneapolis)

Surly revolutionized Minnesota's craft beer scene when they delivered their first kegs of Furious in 2006. Their aggressive, hop-forward approach challenged Minnesota palates and helped spur the "Surly Bill" in 2011, which allowed breweries to sell their beer on-site.

Signature Beers:

• Furious IPA: Their flagship beer offers an intense hop character balanced with a strong malt backbone. This iconic IPA features a perfect blend of aggressive bitterness with caramel sweetness that makes it a standout in Minnesota's craft beer scene.
• Mosh Pit Hazy IPA: This New England-style IPA delivers a juicy, tropical fruit profile with minimal bitterness. The hazy appearance and smooth mouthfeel complement bright citrus and stone fruit flavors.
• Coffee Bender: A brown ale infused with locally roasted coffee for a unique twist. The perfect breakfast beer with its smooth, roasty character and subtle chocolate notes.
• Outlook Good N/A: Their non-alcoholic option, provides hoppy, craft beer flavor without the alcohol, making Surly's distinctive taste accessible to everyone.

Summit Brewing Co. (St. Paul)

Founded in 1986, Summit is one of Minnesota's craft beer pioneers. Mark Stutrud's vision for bringing European brewing traditions to Minnesota has made Summit a household name across the state.

Signature Beers:

• Extra Pale Ale (EPA): The beer that introduced many Minnesotans to craft brewing with its balanced hop profile. Summit EPA remains a gold standard with its perfect harmony of caramel malts and earthy, floral hops that finishes clean and crisp.
• Saga IPA: Features citrusy hops for a bright, refreshing IPA experience. Less aggressive than Furious but equally impressive with its grapefruit and pine aromas and well-balanced bitterness.
• Keller Pils: An unfiltered German-style pilsner with a crisp, clean finish. This authentic pilsner delivers subtle, bready malt character with a light spicy hop note that beer purists appreciate.
• Nialas Non-Alcoholic IPA: All the hop-forward flavor of an IPA without the alcohol, making it perfect for those who love craft beer flavor but want to skip the ABV.

August Schell Brewing Co. (New Ulm)

As the second-oldest family-owned brewery in America (established in 1860), Schell's represents Minnesota's deep brewing heritage. They were the first brewery in Minnesota to start producing craft beers, including what's believed to be the first wheat beer brewed in the United States post-Prohibition in 1984.

Signature Beers:

• Grain Belt Premium: A Minnesota classic with clean, crisp flavor. This approachable lager offers subtle corn and malt sweetness with a refreshing finish that's made it a local staple for generations.
• Schell's Hefeweizen: A traditional German wheat beer with banana and clove notes. Authentic and refreshing, this unfiltered wheat beer delivers the perfect balance of fruity esters and phenolic spice character.
• Firebrick: An amber lager with caramel notes and a balanced finish. With its rich amber color and toasty, biscuit-like malt profile, this Vienna-style lager stands out for its remarkable smoothness.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. (Duluth)

Using clean Lake Superior water, Bent Paddle has become northern Minnesota's most respected craft brewery since opening in 2013.

Signature Beers:

• Bent Paddle Black Ale: A surprisingly smooth dark ale with roasted malt flavors. It defies expectations with its remarkably light body and clean finish despite its dark appearance and rich chocolate and coffee notes.
• Venture Pils: A North German-style pilsner with a clean, crisp character. Brewed with Lake Superior water, this pilsner offers exceptional clarity and a delicate balance of light maltiness and noble hop spiciness.
• 14° ESB: An extra special bitter with caramel notes and a balanced hop finish. This English-style ale perfectly marries toffee-like malt sweetness with earthy, floral hop character that's both complex and wonderfully drinkable.
• Hop Stream: While not technically a non-alcoholic beer, this sparkling hop water offers beer lovers the distinctive hop flavor without the alcohol or calories, showcasing their brewing creativity.

Perfect Pairings: Minnesota Craft Beer & Food

The right food pairing can elevate your craft beer experience. Here are some recommended pairings by beer style:

IPA Pairings

Minnesota's craft IPAs, with their hoppy bitterness and citrus notes, cut through rich and spicy foods. Pair them with buffalo wings, spicy curries, burgers with blue cheese, or strong aged cheeses.

Lager Pairings

Clean, crisp Minnesota lagers complement lighter fare perfectly. Try them with traditional German foods like bratwurst, pretzels with mustard, or grilled chicken. Their refreshing quality also makes them ideal with summer salads and seafood dishes.

Dark Beer Pairings

Dark ales and stouts from Minnesota breweries match wonderfully with hearty, rich foods. Enjoy them with grilled steaks, barbecue, roasted root vegetables, or chocolate desserts. The roasted malt flavors enhance caramelized and smoky food notes.

Wheat Beer Pairings

The light, sometimes fruity profiles of Minnesota wheat beers pair beautifully with salads, light pasta dishes, and seafood. Their subtle spice notes also complement dishes with herbs and mild spices. Try them with fish tacos or fresh goat cheese.

Minnesota Brewery Tours & Experiences

Beyond the major breweries highlighted above, Minnesota offers many exceptional craft brewery experiences worth exploring:

• Dangerous Man Brewing Company: Nestled in Northeast Minneapolis, this small-location brewery delivers big on flavors. Try their famous Peanut Butter Porter (like Cap'n Crunch in a glass!), Chocolate Milk Stout, or Belgian Table Beer. Look for rotating food trucks outside.
• Modist Brewing: Located in Minneapolis' North Loop, expect to be blown away by intensely bright hops and surprising flavor combinations. Standouts include the award-winning Dreamyard IPA and First Call Cold Press Coffee Lager.
• Wild Mind Ales: For something truly adventurous, visit this South Minneapolis brewery specializing in wild, funky, barrel-aged beers. Their zingy, fruited sours and wild ales offer a completely different craft beer experience.
• Forager Brewing Company: If you're exploring Rochester, plan a meal at Forager. They offer excellent fruited sours and malty pastry stouts alongside farm-to-table dishes with all local sourcing.
• Bauhaus Brew Labs: Visit their Minneapolis taproom for bright colors, cool warehouse atmosphere, and friendly dogs. Their hoppy amber lager, Wagon Party, is particularly worth trying.
• Barrel Theory Beer Company: When in St. Paul, visit this hop-forward brewery known for creative IPAs and tart sours with playful names like Dorothy Mantooth IPA and Key Sublime kettle-soured ale.
• Indeed Brewing Company: Located in the artistic enclaves of Northeast Minneapolis, their Let It Ride American IPA is a standout. Visit during Art-A-Whirl to enjoy live music and explore artisan goods in the building above the taproom.

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild has a brewery finder tool and keeps track of all our state's craft beer happenings. They represent over 180 local breweries and are your best resource for discovering new spots to grab a pint.

Support Local Brewing

Minnesota's craft beer scene continues to evolve, with new breweries and innovative beers appearing regularly. By supporting local breweries, you're not only treating yourself to exceptional beer but also supporting important contributors to our local economy and culture.

This is just one part of our state's rich food and beverage culture. Check out our Made in Minnesota Guide for additional information on local wines, spirits, and other regional specialties that showcase our state's diverse flavor.