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.

 

[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.

 

[00clone]

One addition, probably only partially valuable. Mainly interested if anyone else is familiar.

One time I searched for breweries in Minneapolis, and got a place called Vine Park Brewery. It's a brew your own place. You go in, use their equipment, brew a batch one day, let it ferment, come back and bottle another day. Never having heard of this before, thought I'd stop by. I did so, middle of the day, they were open, no one in there (so I wasn't keeping him from another paying customer). Mentioned that I did a little brewing, but was honest that I was still a beginner. Usually with people who brew, that's enough to start a conversation.

This guy seemed like a completely pompous jerk. Tried to get the situation back on track, ended up buying a growler of root beer and a T-shirt hoping he was just annoyed that I was there and not buying anything, but it didn't get any better.

Anyone else been there? Looks like they're still open, so maybe I caught him on a bad day.

 

[bostrem00]

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?

View attachment 17286
The official beer of the Minnesota Twins....

 

[aforstate]

Fulton taproom. It's about a block and a half from target field.

 

[Cybyassociation]

Well its the new year...what'd you end up doing? I had some friends who came from Minneapolis and bless their heart they brought me some Abrasive. I haven't had it since last release and I forgot how incredibly delicious it is.

 

[ianoconnor]

Stopped at Northern Brewer in St. Paul & then hit up Flat Earth to sample some of their beers. Bought a growler of their pale ale (since nobody I was with would drink an IPA).

Wanted to visit Town Hall but just didn't get a chance.

 

[Cybyassociation]

Stopped at Northern Brewer in St. Paul & then hit up Flat Earth to sample some of their beers. Bought a growler of their pale ale (since nobody I was with would drink an IPA).

Wanted to visit Town Hall but just didn't get a chance.

I hope you brought yourself some Surly home.

I totally spaced out on my favorite beer spot in the Twin Cities: Four Firkins. Great selection/knowledge. I've even tossed around the idea of opening up a similar store in Iowa with the growing interest of craft beer and growing number of Iowa breweries.