THE POUR

A waterfall of liquid, with churning thick microbubbles and creamy cascading that fills a pint glass — why does nitro beer look so sexy? What exactly is nitro beer, and why it is such a big deal? Where can you get nitro beer on tap in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

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!

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.

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?

Sure, you can love your good ole’ domestics year-round. And you can explore the burgeoning world of flavors in craft breweries around the United States without running out of great options. But why not reach beyond your normal scope and expand your horizons with a variety of global brews? You may have heard about some, but others will be an exciting new experience.

Have you ever taken a sip of a freshly poured pint, then instinctively wrinkled your nose while your tongue danced in wild confusion? No, your bartender didn’t tap a jar of vinegar or serve you bad brew — it’s a sour beer.

Beer can taste sour? Yep, and it’s no accident. Wonky, fruity, and all manner of sour beers are growing in popularity, and we’re here to help. True, sour beers aren’t for everyone, just like pickled herring, pickled peppers, or fermented whatever-else-your-hippie-aunt-experimented-on. But if nothing else, be prepared for next time when you slurp a sour one and impress your friends with impressive beer knowledge.

Whether you find some in the store or on tap at your local pub or restaurant, here are a few exceptionally tasty sours that will quench your thirst this summer.

One of the biggest celebrations is coming up — Independence Day! We know you’re making plans to grill burgers, shuck corn on the cob, relax around the lake or the bonfire pit, and enjoy time with family and friends. But before you set your plans in stone, don’t forget to pick up the undeniably best beverage for the occasion: patriotic beer.

It's the season of change. You know the drill. Bring out your favorite sweaters, light the wood fire and break open a hearty ale. It also means those light, fruity summer seasonal beers are making way for the dark ales and stouts that compliment autumn so well.

The ever-growing craft beer movement in the U.S. means an explosion in the demand for hops and that rings true for beer producers around Minnesota, too. Much of it can be directly attributed to the highly popular, wildly successful, blazing intensity of West Coast IPAs. Those India Pale Ales bring the hops, and the country's thirst followed.