Forget the land of 10,000 lakes – Minnesota’s brewing up a storm of 10,000 flavors!
Grab your designated driver and let’s embark on a sudsy adventure through the North Star State’s hidden gems.
1. Junkyard Brewing Company (Moorhead)
Who knew a junkyard could be so appetizing?
Junkyard Brewing Company in Moorhead is the craft beer equivalent of finding a diamond in the rough.
This red-brick beauty, adorned with whimsical murals and a larger-than-life dog logo, is like stumbling upon Willy Wonka’s factory – if Wonka traded chocolate for hops.
The taproom, with its industrial-chic vibe and spacious outdoor seating, feels like your coolest friend’s garage – if that friend happened to be a beer-brewing genius.
Their rotating tap list is as unpredictable as Minnesota weather, ensuring every visit is a new adventure for your taste buds.
Don’t miss their small-batch experimental brews.
It’s like being part of a delicious science experiment, minus the lab coats and safety goggles.
And if you’re lucky, you might catch one of their food truck partners serving up grub that pairs perfectly with their liquid gold.
2. Cream & Amber (Hopkins)
Imagine if your local library and your favorite pub had a baby.
That’s Cream & Amber in Hopkins for you – a bookstore-meets-taproom that’s as cozy as your grandma’s living room, but with better drinks.
This charming spot, with its inviting storefront and quirky beer-themed sign, is where literature lovers and hop heads unite.
Browse the shelves with a pint in hand – it’s like a book club where no one judges you for not finishing the assigned reading.
Their carefully curated beer selection is like a well-crafted story – each sip reveals a new plot twist.
And if you’re feeling peckish, their small bites menu is the perfect companion to your reading (or drinking) session.
3. Barrel Theory Beer Company (St. Paul)
Tucked away in a historic building in St. Paul, Barrel Theory Beer Company is the craft beer world’s best-kept secret.
It’s like finding Platform 9¾, but instead of Hogwarts, you’re transported to a beer lover’s paradise.
The taproom, with its sleek industrial design and warm brick walls, feels like you’ve stepped into a steampunk novel.
Their innovative brews push the boundaries of what beer can be – it’s like they’re the mad scientists of the brewing world, but in a good way.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself philosophizing about the meaning of life over their barrel-aged stouts.
It’s that kind of place – where great beer meets great conversation, and suddenly you’re solving the world’s problems one pint at a time.
4. Forager Brewery (Rochester)
Forager Brewery in Rochester is where Mother Nature and craft beer have a beautiful love child.
This place takes the farm-to-table concept and runs with it – or should I say, brews with it?
The brewery, housed in a modern building with a distinctive windmill logo, is like stepping into a gourmet greenhouse.
Their beers are infused with foraged ingredients, making each sip a walk through a Minnesota forest – minus the mosquitoes and with a much higher ABV.
The outdoor seating area, dotted with bright red umbrellas, is perfect for those “I can’t believe it’s not raining” Minnesota days.
And their food menu? It’s a locavore’s dream come true, pairing perfectly with their wild and wonderful brews.
5. Bent Paddle Brewing Co. (Duluth)
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth is proof that great things come in brick packages.
This converted warehouse is like the Taj Mahal of taprooms – if the Taj Mahal were really into craft beer and Minnesota nice.
The spacious interior, with its mix of industrial chic and northwoods charm, feels like the living room of that friend who always throws the best parties.
Their flagship beers are so good, you’ll wonder if they’ve secretly tapped into Lake Superior’s magic.
Don’t miss their outdoor area – it’s like a beer garden had a love affair with a summer camp.
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And if you’re lucky, you might catch one of their live music events.
It’s like Woodstock, but with better beer and fewer mud-covered hippies.
6. Lupulin Brewing Company (Big Lake)
Lupulin Brewing Company in Big Lake is where hops go to party.
This place is hop-heaven, a lupulin-lover’s paradise, a… okay, I’ll stop with the hop puns, but you get the idea.
The brewery, with its eye-catching exterior featuring their beers’ artwork, is like walking into a comic book where IPA is the superhero.
Their taproom has a vibe that’s part science lab, part art gallery, and all awesome.
Their hop-forward beers are so flavorful, you’ll swear they’ve discovered some secret hop-enhancing technology.
It’s like they’ve cracked the Da Vinci code of brewing, and the result is pure, hoppy bliss.
7. Unmapped Brewing Co. (Minnetonka)
Unmapped Brewing Co. in Minnetonka is for those who like their beers like they like their adventures – off the beaten path.
This place is the craft beer equivalent of finding a secret waterfall on a hike – unexpected, refreshing, and totally Instagram-worthy.
The taproom, with its sleek modern design and warm wood accents, feels like the coolest treehouse you’ve ever been in – if treehouses served world-class beer.
Their diverse beer list is like a choose-your-own-adventure book, where every choice leads to deliciousness.
And let’s talk about their patio – it’s the perfect spot for those “is it fall yet?” Minnesota evenings.
Sipping one of their creative brews under the stars? That’s what I call mapping out a perfect night.
8. Blackstack Brewing (St. Paul)
Blackstack Brewing in St. Paul is where industrial chic meets beer geek heaven.
This place is so cool, it makes warehouses jealous.
It’s like someone took a New York loft, filled it with brewing equipment, and said, “Let’s make magic happen.”
The taproom, with its high ceilings and massive windows, feels like you’re drinking in a cathedral dedicated to the holy spirit of hops.
Their ever-changing tap list is like a beer lover’s roulette – you never know what you’re going to get, but you know it’s going to be good.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making friends with strangers over a flight of their latest creations.
It’s that kind of place – where great beer turns strangers into drinking buddies faster than you can say “another round, please.”
9. Modist Brewing Company (Minneapolis)
Modist Brewing Company in Minneapolis is where tradition goes to get a modern makeover.
This place is like the craft beer world’s mad scientist lab, if that lab were really into sleek design and killer brews.
The taproom, with its minimalist aesthetic and pops of greenery, feels like you’ve stepped into the future of beer drinking.
Their unconventional brewing methods produce beers that’ll make your taste buds do a double-take – in the best way possible.
And let’s not forget their food truck partners – it’s like a rotating festival of flavors that pair perfectly with their innovative brews.
It’s the kind of place where you come for the beer but stay for… well, more beer.
And the food. And the vibe. You get the idea.
10. Utepils Brewing (Minneapolis)
Last but not least, Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis is where European tradition meets Midwest hospitality.
It’s like someone picked up a German beer garden and dropped it in the heart of the Twin Cities – lederhosen optional, but encouraged.
The brewery, with its massive taproom and even more massive outdoor space, feels like you’ve stumbled upon a secret beer oasis.
Their classic European-style beers are so authentic, you’ll be checking your passport to make sure you’re still in Minnesota.
Their outdoor area, complete with a stream running through it, is like a beer lover’s version of a zen garden.
It’s the perfect spot to contemplate life’s big questions, like “How many pretzels can I eat before it’s considered a meal?” and “Is it socially acceptable to move in here?”
There you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Minnesota’s craft beer scene that’ll leave you hoppy, malty, and thoroughly entertained.
Cravings are calling!
Use this map to steer your food journey in the right direction—and maybe discover a hidden gem or two along the way.
Now, go forth and explore!
Your taste buds (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.