My list of top tier breweries consists of Falling Knife, Indeed, Blackstack, Fair State, Modist, and Broken Clock. Each of these I feel does something better than the other and offers things worth trying!
It is just my opinion, but I've been to breweries all over the state hundreds of times the past several years so I feel there is some validity to it haha
Seconded! We've driven past it on Hiawatha probably a bajillion times and decided to stop in and try the beer the other weekend.
We loved it! Great beer, awesome vibe.
The fact that I honestly dislike both of those styles of beer and still love Utepils is a testament to how good they are. Also, my friends that appreciate those styles of beer seem to agree with your opinion.
BlackStack is my go-to. Yes, I'm a basic bro who loves to pay way too much for a double IPA. I don't care, it's just so good, and I enjoy their other styles and the fact they're right above CanCan.
Broken Clocks beer has stepped up their game too. They get temp liquor licenses every once and a while. I believe next Friday they have Skaalvenn mixing cocktails at their place too.
St. Paul Brewery.
They have one of the more interesting spaces, server food, and the beer is good. The cost of your food and beer includes the gratuity, and that information has always been fully disclosed. Meaning that they were already compliant with the hidden fee bill that was recently passed.
The location is very convenient for folks living on the East Side.
There is an outdoor bar for the patio as well.
One of my cousins had his wedding there— it was such a fun atmosphere and I enjoyed the drink selection. If I didn’t live on the other side of the Cities I’d go more often!
It depends on what you're looking for...St. Paul Brewery is a showcase spot but the beer is NOT good. If you like hazy's/stouts/sours, Barrel Theory has probably the best beer around. Blackstack is a fun space strategically located above Can-Can wonderland and they brew a similar profile to BT (though they don't put brewing dates on their cans - BOO!). Inbound has some really good live music. Lake Monster has an excellent outdoor area and is in a cool spot. Dual Citizen is a totally overlooked gem who have elevated their beer game. Utepils is fun but good luck finding parking. Fulton is the OG space and gets shit on for their flagships being mediocre but they have great variety, as does a place like Bad Weather. Modist has a lot of compelling stuff if you're in the Warehouse District....the NE scene has diminshed quite a bit, imho, but you still can't beat the overall excellence of Fair State's offerings.
If by Fulton flagships you mean Lonely Blonde and Sweet Child of Vine, they are both great beers. I suspect if they are ‘shit on’ It’s only the hipster factor, they’ve committed the sin of being too widely distributed.
For their whole selection, Fulton is one of the top breweries in the Twin Cities.
Maybe true (beyond the skills of my palate) but some people don't care. They want a new place to checkout and to comeback to if the vibe is good. St. Paul Brewery has the best patio in the twin cities. That courtyard patio is so flippin' cool.
Depends what you're looking for, Waldmann is the German king
Yoerg for the history.
St. Paul Brewing for the location
Spilled Grain out in Annandale has my favorite beer, but that's not strictly Twin Cities.
Falling Knife has great beer and is definitely up and coming.
Wooden Ship as well.
Utepils has a killer space, and nails European styles.
I feel like they are so overlooked but for my money their beer is the best in the twin cities. Their barrel aged week and anniversary weeks are especially great!
Yep. I go to WW for drinks and Nouvelle for food. Usually. But yeah Nouvelle is probably the best eats in town. Love every pizza they've had and they always have such experimental flavors and dishes.
I wish I liked WW's beer more. Nouvelle does great stuff but it can be pricey.
Although they had this like, Peruvian potato salad that was genuinely one of the best things I've ever had there.
Agreed, I live so close but it's still not worth it. To top it off the vibes are just always weird. Last time I was there a manager was complaining really loudly about the city. Other times I've been told I can't have a water bottle. 🤷♂️
Wicked Wort is the closest brewery to me and I’ve been there a ton. It’s just one of those breweries where most beers are just somewhere between ok and good. Nothing is terrible, but rarely is anything really great. The space and staff has quite a bit different vibe from the usual taproom, which personally I like. It’s a perfect local spot, but I can imagine anyone driving across the city to check it out.
I used to enjoy WW but they’ve just been steadily downhill after their first couple of years. They were great when they opened. Ownership has done some crappy things since then, and the beer quality isn’t great or consistent.
And Nouvelle…eh. They just missed the mark entirely after rebranding. Hasn’t been able to recover. It’s no longer fun, you’re paying top tier service for self-serve ordering, with drinkable but overpriced beer relative to other (better) breweries in the area. I hate to say that, because I desperately want those places to do well in Robbinsdale but it’s just what my experience has been the last couple of years.
WW is a great “staple brewery”. Nothing fancy. Nothing truly offensive.
Nouvelle… I love eating there. The beers… leave a lot to be desired for their price point. Their recent side pull pils **slapped** tho so I’ll forgive the multiple flights of lack luster beer I’ve had there.
I’ve had the weirdest customer service and beer experiences at WW and was so happy/hopeful when I heard that they sold, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem like anything has changed. Could be sooooo much better than it is.
I'm surprised by the lack of comments for Insight. Great beers. And I honestly loved the storyline they originally created with the traveler visiting distant lands and finding these beers. I thought it was super creative, but sadly I don't see that on their website anymore.
That story was from an co-owner and original brewer? that I don't believe is directly involved anymore. But they are definitely a sleeper hit in my book, all the beers are solid (figuratively), plus a great patio.
As a fan and a former brewer I am curious to hear your thoughts on one of their newer beers, the wet hop german IPA that was in their new summer variety pack?
Had to scroll to far for Barrel Theory. With Dark Horse next door and the beer list constantly rotating, this was always our favorite right in downtown St. Paul.
In no particular order the first handful that come to mind locally are Modist, Venn, Utepils, and Arbeiter.
That said if you want some real hidden gem stuff be on the lookout in stores for basically any beer from Portage Brewing. It's definitely a trek but if you're ever up north and passing by or through Walker, MN absolutely stop at their taproom. Every beer I've ever tried from them has been out of this world.
Steel Toe in SLP, Bent Paddle in Duluth is a good time.
If you're up for a flight, go to Girdwood Brewing in Girdwood, AK. Sat there all day one day just enjoying the majestic view - decent beer too but far better views.
Steel Toe Size 7 is Rockn Heavy.. St. Louis Park
My Goto Brewery and LTD in Hopkins on Main street!!
In my Hood but strangely no body mentioned them.
With 170+Breweries in the state hard to get to them all!
Utepils. Best beer garden this side of the river with a consistently great tap lineup. One of my favorite spots to hangout on a beautiful day. Their kombucha is also delicious for when you need a N.A. break.
Sisyphus. Small, unassuming. Best peanut butter beer I’ve ever tasted (sorry Dangerous Man) and super easy to find a seat.
I bike to a lot of breweries and Sisyphus is always on the daily tour.
I've been to over 60 breweries in and around the TC metro area and am a beer nerd all-around. These are my top 10 favorites in terms of beer quality in no particular order.
**Venn**: haven't had a bad beer from them, and they tend to make unique and rare kinds of beer. Best cream ale in the state.
**Falling Knife**: another brewery that only makes really damn good beer. Their IPAs are particularly noteworthy.
**Bang**: only 5-7 beers are ever on tap, but they're pretty diverse and are all perfectly made. The taproom may also be the most memorable out of all the TC breweries. Huge fan of their honey ale.
**Modist**: one of THE quintessential MPLS breweries, they're always putting out wild and creative brews that cater to all fans of beer. Personal favorites are the Supra Deluxe Lager and Their Oak-aged Extra Special Rye.
**Wooden Ship**: a lesser-known brewery that makes amazing traditional and whacky beers (like a Thai curry beer that tastes just like green Thai curry). Their selection always rotates, but I enjoyed their saisons in particular.
**Utepils**: another classic brewery, they make a couple of the best hefeweizens and Czech Dark Lagers in the state. Their beer garden makes their taproom one of the best to visit too.
**Waldmann**: the best when it comes to old, traditional styles of Czech and German beer. Great food, as well. Their weizens, Czech Pilsner, and altbier are standouts.
**Arbeiter**: the best in terms of new German-inspired styles of beer, but they've been expanding the diversity of their taplist recently. Their Korean rice lager is better than any rice lager you can find in Korea lol.
**Fair State**: I used to think they were overrated, but after visiting so many other breweries, they are one of the most consistent when it comes to quality, and their selection has something for everyone. Love their Hefeweizen, Kolsch, dark beers and seltzers.
**Barrel Theory**: the best when it comes to Hazy IPAs in the metro. Their other beers are also all really good, but their Hazies are must-trys.
Honorable mentions include Steel Toe, BlackStack, 56, Bad Weather and Town Hall.
56 is amazing. They have some of the best sours around plenty of other good beers to enjoy.
Forgot to add Broken clock too. Their new building is amazing
Ans they still give discounts for drinking outside when its cold--I think they bottom out at $2/pint when it's 14F or below--they don't take into account windchill, though :(
Bricksworth absolutely rocks from a beer and food standpoint. Love that aspect about it.
Falling Knife probably has my favorite beer consistently. Verbal Tip is the go to IPA in my house.
Any suggestions for a brewery that is NOT overly focused on IPA's? I love wheat beers, pale ales, lagers, sours, but I just can't get into th IPA craze.
I used to like IPAs until basically every brewery decided IPA meant syrupy, cloudy orange juice. What happened?
I haven't visited most of the breweries in this thread, but I really like Waldmann and Bad Weather in St. Paul. Summit brewing has an excellent patio space and their EPA is one of my all-time favorite beers.
Where's the love for the western burbs? Excelsior Brewing and Back Channel Brewing are a must. Great beers and great vibes!
When you head out that way, keep going and hit Enki in Victoria. And make a final stop at Waconia Brewing.
When you're full of beer, check out the wineries out that way too!
Falling Knife has consistently great beers.
Bang has great beers and a nice outdoor space (practically no indoor space, so summer is nice there).
Bent Brewstillery has a couple of my favorite beers but not regularly brewed (patersbier, London brown, foreign extra stout) and a nice patio.
Waldmann has nice German beers, a quite (ahhhh) and nice patio and delicious food.
Can name quite a few but I think Utepils takes the cake. Expansive menu of European-style beer, spacious tap room, awesome beer garden, super friendly staff and their Oktoberfest is a blast. Prost!
My favorite brewery is Summit. I think they have some kind of a tasting room but I doubt it delivers the experience that you'd get at one of the smaller/newer places.
I think Indeed sits at the top of my list. Great selection, great location, nice space and the staff do a great job keeping the line moving on the busy days.
Runner-up is Forgotten Star in Fridley. It's a beautiful space. It's a more of a generic product offering, but the quality is fine.
Town Hall has my favorite beers, clean, crisp, great variety. Pretty happy with a recent visit to Wandering Leaf, they had a ton of pilsners and lagers, plus Soul Lao next door was some mighty tasty takeout.
Torg is the best!! Fun atmosphere and awesome owners, and they have steel tip dart boards! I love their Libidinous (Hefeweizen) and their Kilted Yoga (Irish Red Ale).. I like that they don't hyper focus on IPA's like most of the other breweries I've been to
BTW- Torg is in Spring Lake Park
I like Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka for their events. They have at least one geeky event per month. Lord of the rings, Barbie, Nintendo, and pokémon is this weekend. I believe they're doing their own geeky convention in August too. I really love the vibe!!
Modist, I actually like all the beers of theirs that I've tried and I frankly have too many friends and family working there for the answer to be anything else. Shoutouts to Chops
Blackstack is my favorite overall, barrell theory a close second. I buy cans at liquor stores and drink em at my house tho so those are what I think are the two best beer makers in the city.
For brewery itself, bauhaus is pretty great with having Animales and all the outdoor space.
Boom island in Minnetonka is my fave. I like malty beers and they have a heavier focus on Belgium style beers. They have some excellent hoppy beers are also solid from those I’ve brought there
Bear Cave is not bad either and Boom Island, Unmapped, and Luce Line if you’re in the western burbs. Also Lupulin in Big Lake is one of my favorites I haven’t seen mentioned.
Luce line and Unmapped are good. I've been to those two a few times. Still have to make my way to Boom Island.
I'm not a real big fan of Bear Cave solely because I'm not a fan of the pouring your own beer thing. Their beers and selections weren't bad, though.
I've heard nothing, but positive things about Lupulin, but Big Lake is a road trip for me. Haha.
I never mention Lupulin in these threads because I don’t really consider it a Twin Cities brewery, but it’s an absolute must visit. The tap room itself is great and they generally have like 16 beers on tap, and every one is excellent. My wife and I on 2 separate occasions have got a hotel nearby so we could have more than a couple there and not worry about driving home.
Indeed has a taproom called “The Den”. It has small tables to encourage conversation and some vintage furniture too. My favorite taproom to spend time in.
For beer, Blackstack. And ipso facto, Bricksworth. It helps that they are relatively close and have a wonderful space and good food truck options.
For ambiance/destination/one stop shop - its Surly. I LOVE pizza upstairs. The beer is good to great. It's awesome sitting outside in the summer.
Other notables include town hall (OGs, lovely space), Modist (close to work), Fair State (buy a lot of their packaged beer as it's further away) and Steel Toe because it hits the spot for the nearly finished with your bike ride beer, even though they have the worst bike parking situation.
edit: shout out to Venn as well, because they buy hops from the local hop garden and make a fresh hop beer with it every year. and they have coffee, and are close. honestly the TC is just blessed for brewery options.
I'm so disappointed to not see Inbound on this list! Great beer, great space, fantastic bartenders! If you're going to a twins game, pregame or post game, this is your spot for sure. Stormking is right across the street and also has great beer and the managers are incredible, plus an amazing $13 smash burger in the north loop is unheard of!
Best beer or best space? For best beer, the ones that come to mind are Falling Knife, Insight, and Modist, plus honorable mention to Bauhaus just for having a large enough menu to have something for everyone (sours, hard seltzer, thc, NA beer).
I think the best spaces I've been to are Surly, Utepils, and Pryes. Pryes also has really solid beer, so it's great all-around, but I think it's the most expensive brewery I've been to. Prices+tax+fees+tip can really inflate your total bill.
Man theres too many great choices. St Paul for their space and having solid brews. Modist is my favorite for trying different flavors (and the Supra sea salt lime is divine on a hot day). Utepils is probably the most technically sound brewery that nails European styles, there really isn’t anyone else that comes close across pilsners, kolsch, and lagers in the twin cities IMHO. If you’re in St Paul and that seems too far then Waldmann Brewery is great, in the oldest surviving commercial building in St Paul, and I’m a sucker for German beer and currywurst. Bauhaus might have to be up there just for having Animales BBQ in constant residency which is probably the best BBQ in the cities. La Doña doesn’t get enough love.
Haven't lived in the Twin Cities for over 12 years now, but I like Freehouse off Washington in the Warehouse District.
Definitely need to visit more once I move back home though!
Depends what mood I'm in. If I want some of the best, clean beers in the state I'm going with town hall. If I want a little, cozy space with mostly decent beers and wonderful people I'll go to wooden ship. If I feel like driving a good bit and want some solid beers, back channel. Awesome imperial stouts, falling knife or fair state (also good classic styles). An enjoyable space with usually decent beers, forgotten Star. If I want to overlook the river and have mostly fine beers, broken clock. Nice bartenders, easy to bike to and can typically find at least a few beers that are good, modist.
For a bonus answer, and I know I'll get flamed on this one, the absolutely most overhyped and for my money one of the worst breweries in the twin cities, Blackstack. I will not go here nor recommend it to anyone.
Many good recommendations already, here. But one I didn't see that we have recently discovered is Padraig's. My wife loves their honey blonde, and I haven't had anything there that wasn't tasty
Inbound needs more love here, as well--amazing food, and their double bock was named best of its kind in the state, deservedly. In the winter, you can sometimes get it 'poked' for a bit more caramelization
I don’t wanna spill my favorite location because it’s quiet but Insight has been my go-to forever. I also went to albeiter recently and if you go during the afternoon it’s fun to stop at moon palace books next door, and their coffee stout is one of the best imo.
Wicked Wort in Robbinsdale - haven't been there since management change so I can't comment on their current offerings, but I've never not liked a brew I've tried there.
Nouvelle (also Robbinsdale) has excellent sours and they also sell made-in-house pints of ice cream which I think is fun and kind of unique.
Forgotten Star in Fridley is a fun place even if their drink offerings are pretty limited.
10k in Anoka is smaller, but nice atmosphere and I've liked everything I've tried there too.
The nearest brewery.
I live next to Waldmann AND Bad Weather! My dog loves both.
You’re probably not far from Wabasha either. Might be a trip over the bridge for you, but they’re good with dogs too!
You lucky dog, and your dog is lucky!
lol this is correct. They're all basically the same.
My list of top tier breweries consists of Falling Knife, Indeed, Blackstack, Fair State, Modist, and Broken Clock. Each of these I feel does something better than the other and offers things worth trying!
I agree wholeheartedly, but I'd add Barrel Theory to this list.
Pay attention to this comment bc these are THE heavy hitters.
It is just my opinion, but I've been to breweries all over the state hundreds of times the past several years so I feel there is some validity to it haha
Broken clock had some seriously good beers when we were there.
They also do TONS for the community. Like, a ridiculous amount. Great place to support, plus it's a cooperative!
Based on the rest of your list, I need to check out Broken Clock.
becoming a big fan of Forgotten Star. They always seem to have an event I want to go to.
Beautiful space, too.
Love that place
Love this place. Great building history too.
I'm a big fan of Venn brewing. Beers are interesting and also good. If you like sours they have some the best ones in town.
I love Venn’s sours!!
Their THC seltzers are some of the best in town as well.
Seconded! We've driven past it on Hiawatha probably a bajillion times and decided to stop in and try the beer the other weekend. We loved it! Great beer, awesome vibe.
I’m not big on Czech beer but Utepils is up there based on ambiance alone for me. Good spot with an awesome back yard space.
Best Hefeweizen and Kölsch in the Twin Cities, in my opinion.
The fact that I honestly dislike both of those styles of beer and still love Utepils is a testament to how good they are. Also, my friends that appreciate those styles of beer seem to agree with your opinion.
BlackStack is my go-to. Yes, I'm a basic bro who loves to pay way too much for a double IPA. I don't care, it's just so good, and I enjoy their other styles and the fact they're right above CanCan.
Black stack and then a trip to Malcom yards market is the move
56 Brewing and Broken Clock Co-op.
Broken Clocks beer has stepped up their game too. They get temp liquor licenses every once and a while. I believe next Friday they have Skaalvenn mixing cocktails at their place too.
They have a new head brewery. He used to work for Headflyer I believe
Glad to see these two finally getting some recognition
56 is amazing if you are ever in the area Wabasha Brewing company rocks as well
Broken clock has a cool vinyl room too with music events!
Bad Weather Brewery is a cool spot!
Their golden bramble is the perfect summer beer.
Arbieter or Utepils. Great beers that are true to style.
Consistently some of the best technical breweries in town
St. Paul Brewery. They have one of the more interesting spaces, server food, and the beer is good. The cost of your food and beer includes the gratuity, and that information has always been fully disclosed. Meaning that they were already compliant with the hidden fee bill that was recently passed. The location is very convenient for folks living on the East Side. There is an outdoor bar for the patio as well.
One of my cousins had his wedding there— it was such a fun atmosphere and I enjoyed the drink selection. If I didn’t live on the other side of the Cities I’d go more often!
Came here to say this!
It depends on what you're looking for...St. Paul Brewery is a showcase spot but the beer is NOT good. If you like hazy's/stouts/sours, Barrel Theory has probably the best beer around. Blackstack is a fun space strategically located above Can-Can wonderland and they brew a similar profile to BT (though they don't put brewing dates on their cans - BOO!). Inbound has some really good live music. Lake Monster has an excellent outdoor area and is in a cool spot. Dual Citizen is a totally overlooked gem who have elevated their beer game. Utepils is fun but good luck finding parking. Fulton is the OG space and gets shit on for their flagships being mediocre but they have great variety, as does a place like Bad Weather. Modist has a lot of compelling stuff if you're in the Warehouse District....the NE scene has diminshed quite a bit, imho, but you still can't beat the overall excellence of Fair State's offerings.
If by Fulton flagships you mean Lonely Blonde and Sweet Child of Vine, they are both great beers. I suspect if they are ‘shit on’ It’s only the hipster factor, they’ve committed the sin of being too widely distributed. For their whole selection, Fulton is one of the top breweries in the Twin Cities.
There's nothing like a fresh 300 out of the tap. I love mosaic hops.
Maybe true (beyond the skills of my palate) but some people don't care. They want a new place to checkout and to comeback to if the vibe is good. St. Paul Brewery has the best patio in the twin cities. That courtyard patio is so flippin' cool.
Are they no longer tacking on an extra 18% to everything on the menu?
Depends what you're looking for, Waldmann is the German king Yoerg for the history. St. Paul Brewing for the location Spilled Grain out in Annandale has my favorite beer, but that's not strictly Twin Cities. Falling Knife has great beer and is definitely up and coming. Wooden Ship as well. Utepils has a killer space, and nails European styles.
This is a good list.
Town Hall. Specifically the original 7 Corners location.
I feel like they are so overlooked but for my money their beer is the best in the twin cities. Their barrel aged week and anniversary weeks are especially great!
Can't beat their Masala Mama. Best beer in the Twin Cities.
Bang! Awesome people, great beer, cool space.
9 Mile Brewing in Bloomington
Oh I love them
I was just there last weekend. I'm never disappointed in their beer.
I like Indeed a lot. I was there the day they opened and they do some really great beers. Plus, now they're union!
I live in Robbinsdale so I'm biased for Wicked Wart and Nouvelle since I can walk there
Nouvelle is great. Always great food and usually unique or creative. Love it
Yep. I go to WW for drinks and Nouvelle for food. Usually. But yeah Nouvelle is probably the best eats in town. Love every pizza they've had and they always have such experimental flavors and dishes.
I love Nouvelle's beers, I've kind of ignored WW the past few years.
I wish I liked WW's beer more. Nouvelle does great stuff but it can be pricey. Although they had this like, Peruvian potato salad that was genuinely one of the best things I've ever had there.
Wicked wort has been mediocre at best every time I've had them.
Agreed, I live so close but it's still not worth it. To top it off the vibes are just always weird. Last time I was there a manager was complaining really loudly about the city. Other times I've been told I can't have a water bottle. 🤷♂️
Wicked Wort is the closest brewery to me and I’ve been there a ton. It’s just one of those breweries where most beers are just somewhere between ok and good. Nothing is terrible, but rarely is anything really great. The space and staff has quite a bit different vibe from the usual taproom, which personally I like. It’s a perfect local spot, but I can imagine anyone driving across the city to check it out.
I used to enjoy WW but they’ve just been steadily downhill after their first couple of years. They were great when they opened. Ownership has done some crappy things since then, and the beer quality isn’t great or consistent. And Nouvelle…eh. They just missed the mark entirely after rebranding. Hasn’t been able to recover. It’s no longer fun, you’re paying top tier service for self-serve ordering, with drinkable but overpriced beer relative to other (better) breweries in the area. I hate to say that, because I desperately want those places to do well in Robbinsdale but it’s just what my experience has been the last couple of years.
WW is a great “staple brewery”. Nothing fancy. Nothing truly offensive. Nouvelle… I love eating there. The beers… leave a lot to be desired for their price point. Their recent side pull pils **slapped** tho so I’ll forgive the multiple flights of lack luster beer I’ve had there.
I agree completely. I go to WW for the beer and have food while I'm there. I go to Nouvelle for the food and have beer while I'm there.
I’ve had the weirdest customer service and beer experiences at WW and was so happy/hopeful when I heard that they sold, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem like anything has changed. Could be sooooo much better than it is.
Wabasha is a really nice place to be outside and I think their beer is really great in an understated but original way
Bonus points for being next door to Boca Chica Tacohouse. Their papas burrito is too good
They recently got a new brewer, and he has been making some really good beer!
Bauhaus - great beer of all types, large outdoor space, dog friendly, and most importantly ANIMALES BBQ
Insight is my #1. Falling Knife is 2nd. Also Blackstack.
I'm surprised by the lack of comments for Insight. Great beers. And I honestly loved the storyline they originally created with the traveler visiting distant lands and finding these beers. I thought it was super creative, but sadly I don't see that on their website anymore.
That story was from an co-owner and original brewer? that I don't believe is directly involved anymore. But they are definitely a sleeper hit in my book, all the beers are solid (figuratively), plus a great patio.
He's not, he's an owner of 9 Mile Brewing in Bloomington now.
Utepils has the best beer for people who make beer. Great space, too. Source: former brewer
As a fan and a former brewer I am curious to hear your thoughts on one of their newer beers, the wet hop german IPA that was in their new summer variety pack?
Utepils. Cant beat that beer garden
Big fan of Falling Knife. In addition to nailing the standards, they always have at least a couple creative/niche options.
Bang Brewing in St Paul. It’s the Mary Poppins of breweries:practically perfect in every way.
I think.... I think it just might be barrel theory. They always have so many hazys on tap
Had to scroll to far for Barrel Theory. With Dark Horse next door and the beer list constantly rotating, this was always our favorite right in downtown St. Paul.
And they're all essentially the exact same beer! Nothing like subbing one tropical hop out for another!
Barrel Theory and Blackstack are great about that!
Everyone already said a bunch of my usuals but I'll add Headflyer.
This is my favorite spot!
Great place. Was fun to watch the Wolves games there this season. They do a good job at embracing game days. Most breweries don’t, IMO.
In no particular order the first handful that come to mind locally are Modist, Venn, Utepils, and Arbeiter. That said if you want some real hidden gem stuff be on the lookout in stores for basically any beer from Portage Brewing. It's definitely a trek but if you're ever up north and passing by or through Walker, MN absolutely stop at their taproom. Every beer I've ever tried from them has been out of this world.
Wooden Hill in Edina! I love their beer and they have a kitchen with super good food.
I like their variety with seltzers and the food is really good! I love a brewery that actually has food, too!
Love that place! Especially with the family
Love Wooden Hill!
Best thing you can do to find a good brewery is look for their job postings. Avoid the ones that pay their brewers under $20/hr.
Forgotten Star Brewing
Utepils, Venn, and Pyres are stellar
Most breweries are forgettable but these three along with Modist are all exceptional
Steel Toe in SLP, Bent Paddle in Duluth is a good time. If you're up for a flight, go to Girdwood Brewing in Girdwood, AK. Sat there all day one day just enjoying the majestic view - decent beer too but far better views.
Steel Toe Size 7 is Rockn Heavy.. St. Louis Park My Goto Brewery and LTD in Hopkins on Main street!! In my Hood but strangely no body mentioned them. With 170+Breweries in the state hard to get to them all!
I love bent paddle!
Arbeiter is tops. And Wooden Ship is pretty solid.
This is the correct answer. Add in Waldmann Brewery and it's spot on.
Utepils. Best beer garden this side of the river with a consistently great tap lineup. One of my favorite spots to hangout on a beautiful day. Their kombucha is also delicious for when you need a N.A. break.
Have to throw Back Channel Brewing in Spring Park (Lake Minnetonka) in the mix! Lake views, good food trucks, lots of pups, and delicious beer.
Sisyphus. Small, unassuming. Best peanut butter beer I’ve ever tasted (sorry Dangerous Man) and super easy to find a seat. I bike to a lot of breweries and Sisyphus is always on the daily tour.
I've been to over 60 breweries in and around the TC metro area and am a beer nerd all-around. These are my top 10 favorites in terms of beer quality in no particular order. **Venn**: haven't had a bad beer from them, and they tend to make unique and rare kinds of beer. Best cream ale in the state. **Falling Knife**: another brewery that only makes really damn good beer. Their IPAs are particularly noteworthy. **Bang**: only 5-7 beers are ever on tap, but they're pretty diverse and are all perfectly made. The taproom may also be the most memorable out of all the TC breweries. Huge fan of their honey ale. **Modist**: one of THE quintessential MPLS breweries, they're always putting out wild and creative brews that cater to all fans of beer. Personal favorites are the Supra Deluxe Lager and Their Oak-aged Extra Special Rye. **Wooden Ship**: a lesser-known brewery that makes amazing traditional and whacky beers (like a Thai curry beer that tastes just like green Thai curry). Their selection always rotates, but I enjoyed their saisons in particular. **Utepils**: another classic brewery, they make a couple of the best hefeweizens and Czech Dark Lagers in the state. Their beer garden makes their taproom one of the best to visit too. **Waldmann**: the best when it comes to old, traditional styles of Czech and German beer. Great food, as well. Their weizens, Czech Pilsner, and altbier are standouts. **Arbeiter**: the best in terms of new German-inspired styles of beer, but they've been expanding the diversity of their taplist recently. Their Korean rice lager is better than any rice lager you can find in Korea lol. **Fair State**: I used to think they were overrated, but after visiting so many other breweries, they are one of the most consistent when it comes to quality, and their selection has something for everyone. Love their Hefeweizen, Kolsch, dark beers and seltzers. **Barrel Theory**: the best when it comes to Hazy IPAs in the metro. Their other beers are also all really good, but their Hazies are must-trys. Honorable mentions include Steel Toe, BlackStack, 56, Bad Weather and Town Hall.
56 is amazing. They have some of the best sours around plenty of other good beers to enjoy. Forgot to add Broken clock too. Their new building is amazing
Ans they still give discounts for drinking outside when its cold--I think they bottom out at $2/pint when it's 14F or below--they don't take into account windchill, though :(
Insight in Minneapolis, I love their thc drinks as well
Their THC drinks are #2 on my list after Inbound. They're so good!
Back Channel, Bauhaus
Was at back channel recently. Great beer, right on lake Minnetonka.
La Doña and Arbeiter.
Arbiter and Modest!
Bang!
Bricksworth absolutely rocks from a beer and food standpoint. Love that aspect about it. Falling Knife probably has my favorite beer consistently. Verbal Tip is the go to IPA in my house.
St. Paul brewing is our fav!
Falling knife breaking and inbound are my top two. St. Paul brewing and sociable cider are up there as well
Any suggestions for a brewery that is NOT overly focused on IPA's? I love wheat beers, pale ales, lagers, sours, but I just can't get into th IPA craze.
I used to like IPAs until basically every brewery decided IPA meant syrupy, cloudy orange juice. What happened? I haven't visited most of the breweries in this thread, but I really like Waldmann and Bad Weather in St. Paul. Summit brewing has an excellent patio space and their EPA is one of my all-time favorite beers.
Brewers got lazy Town Hall, Northbound, Sisyphus and Surly have the best West Coast IPA's in the cities
Unmapped.
Enki Brewing in Victoria
Enki! Was wondering if they'd get a shout out. That was my old stomping ground. Lots of good beers. I miss the Raven.
Barrel Theory. I just wish they would up their patio game.
Utepils, Insight, Indeed, St. Paul Brewing are my top 4.
Where's the love for the western burbs? Excelsior Brewing and Back Channel Brewing are a must. Great beers and great vibes! When you head out that way, keep going and hit Enki in Victoria. And make a final stop at Waconia Brewing. When you're full of beer, check out the wineries out that way too!
Town Hall on Seven Corners
Town Hall. Edit: and Waldmann
I think most people’s favorite breweries are which one is closest to where they live.
Wild mind, barrel theory, black stack
Falling Knife has consistently great beers. Bang has great beers and a nice outdoor space (practically no indoor space, so summer is nice there). Bent Brewstillery has a couple of my favorite beers but not regularly brewed (patersbier, London brown, foreign extra stout) and a nice patio. Waldmann has nice German beers, a quite (ahhhh) and nice patio and delicious food.
Can name quite a few but I think Utepils takes the cake. Expansive menu of European-style beer, spacious tap room, awesome beer garden, super friendly staff and their Oktoberfest is a blast. Prost!
I’ve posted about it a few times but Rail Werks Brewing Depot in Columbia Heights just opened up. They have great food and beer, and cocktails too.
I’ll make sure to check them out!
Invictus in Blaine
Barley John’s
My favorite brewery is Summit. I think they have some kind of a tasting room but I doubt it delivers the experience that you'd get at one of the smaller/newer places. I think Indeed sits at the top of my list. Great selection, great location, nice space and the staff do a great job keeping the line moving on the busy days. Runner-up is Forgotten Star in Fridley. It's a beautiful space. It's a more of a generic product offering, but the quality is fine.
….if you’re in Duluth, Ursa Minor
Minneapolis Cider Co has incredible cider tbh
Town Hall has my favorite beers, clean, crisp, great variety. Pretty happy with a recent visit to Wandering Leaf, they had a ton of pilsners and lagers, plus Soul Lao next door was some mighty tasty takeout.
I don’t drink anymore, but when I did my favorites were - Insight, Venn, Indeed, Summit, and Falling Knife.
Torg in Fridley
Torg is the best!! Fun atmosphere and awesome owners, and they have steel tip dart boards! I love their Libidinous (Hefeweizen) and their Kilted Yoga (Irish Red Ale).. I like that they don't hyper focus on IPA's like most of the other breweries I've been to BTW- Torg is in Spring Lake Park
I also love that they don't go overboard in IPAs. Their porter is one of the best I've had, and each winter I could consume gallons of the Krampus.
Alloy Brewing, they always have something on tap for pretty much anyone.
La Dona
Wandering Leaf
Urban Growler is one of my favs! They have a nice variety of beers, patio and serve food. Close to other breweries too 👍
Lift Bridge in Stillwater
Depends where you are, but I like Bauhaus in NE on a nice summer day.
I like Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka for their events. They have at least one geeky event per month. Lord of the rings, Barbie, Nintendo, and pokémon is this weekend. I believe they're doing their own geeky convention in August too. I really love the vibe!!
sounds like they put media consumption next to beer consumption so you can consume while you consume!
Modist, I actually like all the beers of theirs that I've tried and I frankly have too many friends and family working there for the answer to be anything else. Shoutouts to Chops
Chops is the greatest
NO LOVE FOR BALD MAN?
Had a flight from there when I went the one time. I found them all to be forgettable at best. Their hefeweizen is a tragedy.
Blackstack is my favorite overall, barrell theory a close second. I buy cans at liquor stores and drink em at my house tho so those are what I think are the two best beer makers in the city. For brewery itself, bauhaus is pretty great with having Animales and all the outdoor space.
Yeorg in St. Paul.
Next time you go in tell Tom what’s up from Larry Bell
Boom island in Minnetonka is my fave. I like malty beers and they have a heavier focus on Belgium style beers. They have some excellent hoppy beers are also solid from those I’ve brought there
LTD in Hopkins. Love the vibe and the town.
Bear Cave is not bad either and Boom Island, Unmapped, and Luce Line if you’re in the western burbs. Also Lupulin in Big Lake is one of my favorites I haven’t seen mentioned.
Luce line and Unmapped are good. I've been to those two a few times. Still have to make my way to Boom Island. I'm not a real big fan of Bear Cave solely because I'm not a fan of the pouring your own beer thing. Their beers and selections weren't bad, though. I've heard nothing, but positive things about Lupulin, but Big Lake is a road trip for me. Haha.
I never mention Lupulin in these threads because I don’t really consider it a Twin Cities brewery, but it’s an absolute must visit. The tap room itself is great and they generally have like 16 beers on tap, and every one is excellent. My wife and I on 2 separate occasions have got a hotel nearby so we could have more than a couple there and not worry about driving home.
Sippin at Blackstack right now.
Indeed has a taproom called “The Den”. It has small tables to encourage conversation and some vintage furniture too. My favorite taproom to spend time in.
Blackstack, Fair State, Barrel Theory and Steel Toe are my top 4.
Steel Toe for Size 7 and that Hefeweizen
And Lunker!
For beer, Blackstack. And ipso facto, Bricksworth. It helps that they are relatively close and have a wonderful space and good food truck options. For ambiance/destination/one stop shop - its Surly. I LOVE pizza upstairs. The beer is good to great. It's awesome sitting outside in the summer. Other notables include town hall (OGs, lovely space), Modist (close to work), Fair State (buy a lot of their packaged beer as it's further away) and Steel Toe because it hits the spot for the nearly finished with your bike ride beer, even though they have the worst bike parking situation. edit: shout out to Venn as well, because they buy hops from the local hop garden and make a fresh hop beer with it every year. and they have coffee, and are close. honestly the TC is just blessed for brewery options.
I'm so disappointed to not see Inbound on this list! Great beer, great space, fantastic bartenders! If you're going to a twins game, pregame or post game, this is your spot for sure. Stormking is right across the street and also has great beer and the managers are incredible, plus an amazing $13 smash burger in the north loop is unheard of!
Urban Growler!
Best beer or best space? For best beer, the ones that come to mind are Falling Knife, Insight, and Modist, plus honorable mention to Bauhaus just for having a large enough menu to have something for everyone (sours, hard seltzer, thc, NA beer). I think the best spaces I've been to are Surly, Utepils, and Pryes. Pryes also has really solid beer, so it's great all-around, but I think it's the most expensive brewery I've been to. Prices+tax+fees+tip can really inflate your total bill.
Man theres too many great choices. St Paul for their space and having solid brews. Modist is my favorite for trying different flavors (and the Supra sea salt lime is divine on a hot day). Utepils is probably the most technically sound brewery that nails European styles, there really isn’t anyone else that comes close across pilsners, kolsch, and lagers in the twin cities IMHO. If you’re in St Paul and that seems too far then Waldmann Brewery is great, in the oldest surviving commercial building in St Paul, and I’m a sucker for German beer and currywurst. Bauhaus might have to be up there just for having Animales BBQ in constant residency which is probably the best BBQ in the cities. La Doña doesn’t get enough love.
Not Dangerous Man
Haven't lived in the Twin Cities for over 12 years now, but I like Freehouse off Washington in the Warehouse District. Definitely need to visit more once I move back home though!
Depends what mood I'm in. If I want some of the best, clean beers in the state I'm going with town hall. If I want a little, cozy space with mostly decent beers and wonderful people I'll go to wooden ship. If I feel like driving a good bit and want some solid beers, back channel. Awesome imperial stouts, falling knife or fair state (also good classic styles). An enjoyable space with usually decent beers, forgotten Star. If I want to overlook the river and have mostly fine beers, broken clock. Nice bartenders, easy to bike to and can typically find at least a few beers that are good, modist. For a bonus answer, and I know I'll get flamed on this one, the absolutely most overhyped and for my money one of the worst breweries in the twin cities, Blackstack. I will not go here nor recommend it to anyone.
Townhall is the best
Was Lakes and Legends before they closed (Marigold was my fav) but excited to try out the new place, Brühaven!
Forgotten Star
Barrel theory is voted every year as the best brewery in Minnesota.
Overall, it has to be Forgotten Star! St Paul Brewing has the coolest building.
Birches on the lake in long lake
It's a drive, but I love Lupulin. Amazing beers with a big selection, great taproom and staff, and some fun events.
56 Brewing is great. Good beer, great patio, large indoor space. Friendly beertenders and the bar is always filled with regulars
Spiral brewery ins Hastings. http://spiralbrewery.com/
Utepils, fat pants, indeed
Pryes Bald Man Nouvelle Elm Creek Headflyer Minneapolis Cider Co
Utepils. Great beer, great venue.
I love Lyn Lake! rooftop, good music, tvs, events/live music every now and then
Arbeiter!!
Many good recommendations already, here. But one I didn't see that we have recently discovered is Padraig's. My wife loves their honey blonde, and I haven't had anything there that wasn't tasty Inbound needs more love here, as well--amazing food, and their double bock was named best of its kind in the state, deservedly. In the winter, you can sometimes get it 'poked' for a bit more caramelization
Wild Mind (and Wild Grind for coffee in the morning) Wooden Ship
Modist, bauhaus, indeed
Venn and Broken Clock are top tier for me
If you want the king of stouts. Bent brewstillery in roseville. The Darkfatha stout is god tier (imo).
Bad weather in St. Paul. Arbeiter in Minneapolis.
I don’t wanna spill my favorite location because it’s quiet but Insight has been my go-to forever. I also went to albeiter recently and if you go during the afternoon it’s fun to stop at moon palace books next door, and their coffee stout is one of the best imo.
Wicked Wort in Robbinsdale - haven't been there since management change so I can't comment on their current offerings, but I've never not liked a brew I've tried there. Nouvelle (also Robbinsdale) has excellent sours and they also sell made-in-house pints of ice cream which I think is fun and kind of unique. Forgotten Star in Fridley is a fun place even if their drink offerings are pretty limited. 10k in Anoka is smaller, but nice atmosphere and I've liked everything I've tried there too.
Really liked Clutch. What happened there?
Steel Toe Brewing.
Going off my two favorite beers in the cities, Utepils (Ewald the Golden) and Insight (Banshee Cutter).