Beer in the Twin Cities

[ianoconnor]

Heading up to the Twin Cities over New Years and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on good beer spots/breweries/taprooms to hit up.

The obvious choices like Surly & Summit are full as far as tours go. Anyone have some off-the-beaten-path stuff that I should try?

[TruClone]

Surly. End of thread.

[ianoconnor]

Surly. End of thread.

Since it's a Friday, I'll forgive your lack of reading comprehension.

[mtowncyclone13]

I spent 19 years in saint paul, and although much of that was before the current microbrew craze, I know of a few good spots. I was never a fan of Surly but I do like the Summit Outmeal Stout. That is only available on tap though. The tiny Groveland Tap on Saint Clair (a few blocks from my old place) in Saint Paul has a great selection of local brews (and no hard liquor so it's a beer-drinkers heaven). They also have the jucy lucy if you're so inclined.

The small Blue Door on Selby Ave has great food as well as local brews. Flat Earth brewing is a neat company that is taking over part of the old Hamm's brewery site. It's worth a stop if you have time. If you're into the chain feel Rock Bottom in MPLS has the most beers around town but it doesn't have that hole-in-the-wall feel of a lot of Saint Paul pubs do. Saint Paul is definitely more into the corner bar more so than MPLS, which tends to be more upscale.

You'll do just fine!

[BoxsterCy]

Since it's a Friday, I'll forgive your lack of reading comprehension.

He was referring to the Surly Brewing Company in Minneapolis. They are a brewery and not a brew pub so stopping in there is not an option for this holiday type weekend. Maybe some of the others can weigh in on some of the new brew pubs etc. I don't follow the beer stuff that closely anymore.

[ianoconnor]

Heading up to the Twin Cities over New Years and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on good beer spots/breweries/taprooms to hit up.

The obvious choices like Surly & Summit are full as far as tours go. Anyone have some off-the-beaten-path stuff that I should try?

He was referring to the Surly Brewing Company in Minneapolis. They are a brewery and not a brew pub so stopping in there is not an option for this holiday type weekend. Maybe some of the others can weigh in on some of the new brew pubs etc. I don't follow the beer stuff that closely anymore.

See above.

[cyclonesurveyor]

liquor lyles is an interesting place on hennepin ave between uptown and downtown.

and 2-fer happy hours every 2-3 hours starting at 11

[dmclone]

Make sure to stop at Blue Maxx Liquor and pick up a ton of Surly Furious

[BoxsterCy]

Timely article in todays Star Tribune, just got around to reading the paper. Might be what you are looking for; lists some of the new taprooms here.

Nightlife: The year in beer: Taprooms change the landscape | StarTribune.com

[00clone]

Heading up to the Twin Cities over New Years and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on good beer spots/breweries/taprooms to hit up.

The obvious choices like Surly & Summit are full as far as tours go. Anyone have some off-the-beaten-path stuff that I should try?

Brewpubs: We enjoyed Town Hall brewery for a meal on our way thru the TC a while back. They even let us sit on the patio with our dog, which was nice (summer time). Brought him a bowl of water and everything. It's between the metrodome and UM, like a block or 2 from the 35W bridge.

Town Hall Brewery

Not a brewpub, but still: Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit is a german restaraurant in NE minneapolis. Good German food (if you're into that), good German Beer, served in .5L, 1.0L, and 2.0L (16, 32, and 64 oz approx.) sizes. They have 'the boot' if you want to try that, Friday and Saturday nights in the restaurant is a party atmosphere with an accordian player walking around doing the 'Ziggy-socky, Ziggy-socky, hoy, hoy, hoy' thing. We went one time and got the dinner for 2, made 3 meals out of it for each of us, it was so big. They also have the meterwust challenge, a meter long bratwurst eating challenge that was on Man Vs. Food early on. I'd go back every time we were in Minneapolis if I could.

Home Page With Calendars

Also, if you're in the TC, you better damn well stop at Northern Brewer. I prefer the original St. Paul location. If you have a S.O., she can keep busy in the other shops on Grand Ave. while you spend hours picking out brew stuff. Remember! If there's something you want that doesn't qualify for the 7.99 flat rate shipping, getting it while you're there is a good plan (wine kits, bulk grain, full Blichmann system, etc.)

[TruClone]

Heading up to the Twin Cities over New Years and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on good beer spots/breweries/taprooms to hit up.

The obvious choices like Surly & Summit are full as far as tours go. Anyone have some off-the-beaten-path stuff that I should try?

Surly. End of thread.

Since it's a Friday, I'll forgive your lack of reading comprehension.

Did not miss what you wrote. Surly is the only one I would hit up if it were open or having a tour.

[Red5]

Brewpubs: We enjoyed Town Hall brewery for a meal on our way thru the TC a while back. They even let us sit on the patio with our dog, which was nice (summer time). Brought him a bowl of water and everything. It's between the metrodome and UM, like a block or 2 from the 35W bridge.

Town Hall Brewery

Not a brewpub, but still: Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit is a german restaraurant in NE minneapolis. Good German food (if you're into that), good German Beer, served in .5L, 1.0L, and 2.0L (16, 32, and 64 oz approx.) sizes. They have 'the boot' if you want to try that, Friday and Saturday nights in the restaurant is a party atmosphere with an accordian player walking around doing the 'Ziggy-socky, Ziggy-socky, hoy, hoy, hoy' thing. We went one time and got the dinner for 2, made 3 meals out of it for each of us, it was so big. They also have the meterwust challenge, a meter long bratwurst eating challenge that was on Man Vs. Food early on. I'd go back every time we were in Minneapolis if I could.

Home Page With Calendars

Also, if you're in the TC, you better damn well stop at Northern Brewer. I prefer the original St. Paul location. If you have a S.O., she can keep busy in the other shops on Grand Ave. while you spend hours picking out brew stuff. Remember! If there's something you want that doesn't qualify for the 7.99 flat rate shipping, getting it while you're there is a good plan (wine kits, bulk grain, full Blichmann system, etc.)

I'll second all of this. Do not be afraid that Town Hall Brewing is a 'brewpub'. It's beers are of a higher quality than most distributed microbrews. Gasthof's is a great experience, but always seems to run me a rent check for a dinner. I try to do it once every other year or so when we're in the cities, but prepare for a $65 entree (split between two people) and european prices on the beer.

[00clone]

Did not miss what you wrote. Surly is the only one I would hit up if it were open or having a tour.

[Cybyassociation]

I second town hall brewery. Flat earth is right next to summit. Really small but pretty decent.

[isucyfan]

Lots of good suggestions here. I will throw in the Fulton tap room in Minneapolis, the Muddy Pig in St. Paul (tons of great brews on tap and bar food that is a cut above), and for a little trip, go over to Hudson, WI to Casanova's where you can get awesome beer in growlers.