Our first directional list for our favorite Minnesota breweries takes us Northeast. To Lake Superior’s North Shore, the Iron Range, the Gunflint Trail and the World’s Best Donuts. Definitely the most scenic part of the state. A nature lover’s paradise, and a pretty good place for beer lovers too.
We took everything on and East of 169 and North of the Twin Cities metro area into consideration for this list.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co – Duluth
Bent Paddle is so popular in Duluth it sometimes feels like a cop out answer as best brewery in Duluth. But no one makes better beer in town. Bent IPA, 14°, (Cold Press) Black, Venture. All great beers you can grab all year. Great seasonal offerings and a great imperial stout in Double Shot Double Black. And the taproom is quintessentially Minnesotan, it’s how we want the rest of the country to perceive us. Flannel, wood, outdoorsy, friendly.
Castle Danger Brewery – Two Harbors
A classic! Following up on Bent Paddle, this is also another taproom that feels so Minnesotan and woodsy. This is where you go to feel right at home and tuck yourself into a Castle Danger Cream Ale. You can come for your old favorites, and leave with a few new favorites. Come for the beer, stay for the beer AND the Minnesotan hospitality and cute taproom.
Ursa Minor Brewing – Duluth
We’re going back to Duluth and just a 10 minute walk from Bent Paddle. Ursa Minor is the new kid on the block in Duluth and they’re bringing a fresh look on beer to a town that seems to be fine with the way beer is and has been. Ursa Minor isn’t afraid of hazy IPAs or throwing lactose in their sours. So if these are the things you’re into, make sure to stop in at Ursa Minor next time you’re in town. The taproom is nice and outdoorsy… you’re seeing the pattern here, it’s not flannel.
Rapids Brewing Company – Grand Rapids
You could add Rapids Brewing Company to the list of breweries that really surprised us while on our journey of exploring every brewery in Minnesota. We didn’t really have any expectations, but when we walked in we were already surprised by the amount of space in the taproom and how new, clean, and modern everything looked. It was great to get to sit down and talk to head brewer Darin and learn about his brewing history and about the history of the taproom and the space they were in. We’re glad we chatted with him, because he convinced us to try some of their in-house food while we were there, and it also blew our minds. But that’s a story for another time. The beer was just as delicious as the food and we left that day feeling content, which is a good thing when you’re travelling hours at a time for some of the breweries in the state.
Garphish Brewing Company – Bethel
Garphish is unique to this list. It’s the only one of these breweries whose taproom couldn’t be described as outdoorsy. In fact it’s quite similar to your mom’s living room, in a good way. There is a namesake Gar on the wall behind the bar but it definitely has those living room vibes. This was one of those places we could tell had a sense of community to it. Garphish is a tiny bit isolated in the world of craft breweries but you wouldn’t know it the way the taproom fills out on a week day.
Honorable Mention – Klockow Brewing Company – Grand Rapids
Alger Beerventures 