Minnesota Breweries | MNBeer – Beer from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul and beyond


Minnesota Breweries

August Schell Brewing Co. | website | 1860 Schell Road, New Ulm, MN |
Schell’s is the second oldest family-run brewery in the US. The company survived the Sioux Uprising & Prohibition and the disappearance and consolidation of hundreds of breweries. In 2002, Schell’s purchased the Grain Belt label and continues to produce Grain Belt Premium, Premium Light and Nordeast.

Launched: 1860
Availability: Draft, bottles, cans.
Tours: Tours are $3, and that includes tasting. Check their website or give them a call for dates and times.
Taproom: Currently just for post-tour samples.
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Big Wood Brewery | website | 985 E. Berwood Ave., Vadnais Heights, MN
Minnesota craft beer fans first had a chance to taste their beer at Winterfest 2011. They quietly won “best of the fest” at the 2011 Autumn Brew Review, and have plans to expand to a new location sometime in 2012.

Launched: 2011
Availability: ?
Tours: See above. Not yet…
Taproom: No.
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Boom Island Brewing Co. | website | 2207 N. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN
Boom Island Brewing Co. squeezed into the Minnesota beer scene at the very end of 2011. They’ve positioned themselves as a Belgian-inspired brewery. The name “Boom Island” comes from an island on the Mississippi once home to booms used to separate logs being sent to various sawmills along the river.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft, bottles.
Tours: Contact the brewery.
Taproom: No.
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Brau Brothers Brewing Co. | website | 201 1st St., Lucan, MN
Brau Brothers Brewing Co. was formed in the spring of 2006 in the tiny town of Lucan, in southwest Minnesota. The Braus are no strangers to the beer business. Before starting Brau Brothers Brewing Co., they ran The BrauHaus, a brewpub in the tiny town of Lucan, MN – population: 191 (2010).

Launched: 2006
Availability: Draft, bottles.
Tours: By appointment only.
Taproom: No.
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Castle Danger Brewery | website | 3067 E Castle Danger Road, Two Harbors, MN
Castle Danger is a small production brewery on the grounds of Castle Haven Cabins near Two Harbors. Brewer Clint MacFarlane brews small batches for draft accounts and growler sales on a 3 barrel brewing system.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft, growlers.
Tours: Wed., Fri., Sat. 4-7 during growler sales.
Taproom: No.
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GluekCold Spring Brewery | website | 219 Red River Ave N, Cold Spring, MN
Gottlieb Gluek launched the Mississippi Brewing Company in Minneapolis in 1857. Shortly thereafter, the name was changed to Gluek Brewing Company. Unlike many others, the company survived Prohibition. In the 60s, Gluek was bought by G. Heileman and the Minneapolis brewery (22nd and Marshall) was torn down. Then in the late 90s, the Cold Spring Brewery became Gluek and Gluek re-erged in Minnesota. In 2008, the company was renamed to Cold Spring Brewery. The brewery currently has a capacity of 250,000-300,000 barrels per year. The brewery also produces and packages a variety of beers for other breweries across the country including San Francisco’s 21st Amendment.

Launched: 1857
Availability: Kegs, bottles, cans.
Tours: Call 320.685.8686 to schedule a tour.
Taproom: No.
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Dubrue | website | 211 E Second St, Duluth, MN
Dubrue was started by Bob Blair and Nick Cameron, who both cut their teeth (among other places) in the brewery at Fitger’s Brewhouse. Their first two beers include an an English-style session ale and an India Black Ale.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft.
Tours: Call 218.341.0988 to schedule a tour.
Taproom: No.
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Flat EarthFlat Earth Brewing Co. | website | 2035 Benson Ave., St. Paul, MN
Flat Earth Brewing Co. poured their first beer for the public in the beginning of 2007. Some of their more notable brews include a Belgian-style Pale Ale, a Flanders Red, an organic pale ale and a series of seasonal porters with a variety of infusions.

Launched: 2007
Availability: Draft, bottles, growlers.
Tours: Check their website for tour schedule.
Taproom: No.
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Fulton Brewing Co. | website | 414 6th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
Fulton is named for Minneapolis’ Fulton neighborhood, where the four partners first got their start as homebrewing buddies. They’ve since graduated to a new facility on the edge of downtown Minneapolis. Their line-up includes one of our favorite local beer names, Sweet Child of Vine. We’ll excuse them for not calling it a “bine,” though we suspect that the average beer drinker doesn’t know what a hop bine is, anyway.

Launched: 2009
Availability: Draft, bottles, growlers
Tours: Check their calendar page.
Taproom: Yes.
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Harriet Brewing | website | 3036 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Harriet launched in 2011, focusing upon Belgian and German-style beers. Since launching, Harriet has been careful to include a large infusion of art & music into all of their events. After recent changes in Minnesota’s beer laws, Harriet will be opening a taproom & selling their beer in pints on-site as well.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft, growlers.
Tours: Visit their website for tour information.
Taproom: Yes.
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Lake Superior BrewingLake Superior Brewing Co. | website | 2711 W Superior St. Duluth, MN
Lake Superior Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Duluth since the old Fitger’s Brewery closed in the 70s. They’ve been around since 1994 and you’ll find their beers in bottles and on tap around Duluth, the Twin Cities and beyond. Brainerd Lakes Beer is also brewed at LSB’s brewery in Duluth.

Launched: 1994
Availability: Draft, bottles.
Tours: Call 218.723.4000 to schedule a tour.
Taproom: Planned.
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Leech Lake Brewing Co. | website | 195 Walker Industries Blvd., Walker, MN
Leech Lake Brewing Co. is positioned in the heart of Minnesota’s vacation country, not far from its namesake. “Because Paradise requires a brewery.” They offer up a variety of beers to to fishermen and vacationers around Walker as well as the rest of the state.

Launched: 2010
Availability: Draft, bottles, growlers
Tours: During taproom hours.
Taproom: Mon. – Sat. 4-6pm.
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Lift Bridge Brewery | website | 1900 Tower Drive, Stillwater, MN
Lift Bridge Brewery is the first pre-prohibition brewery in the picturesque city of Stillwater, MN. They are brewing all of their beers onsite and are open for growler sales, pint sales and tours.

Launched: 2009
Availability: Draft, growlers, bottles.
Tours: Saturdays at 1 and 3pm. Register on their website.
Taproom hours; Thurs. 5-8, Fri. 5-8pm, Sat. 2-5pm.
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Lucid Brewing | website | 6020 Culligan Way, Minnetonka, MN
Lucid Brewing was launched by two former homebrewers in 2011 as the first brewery in Minnetonka, MN. Their first two beers include a double IPA and a highly sessionable blonde ale. As a cool twist, Lucid will be helping Badger Hill Brewing get their start by sharing their space with an alternating proprietorship.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft.
Tours: Visit their website for tour information.
Taproom: No.
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Mankato Brewery | website | 1119 Center St, Mankato, MN
Mankato Brewery was Minnesota’s first-born brewery of 2012, rolling out their first beer, Mankato Original on January 5th, 2012. Mankato Original is a Kolsh-style ale from brewer Mike Miziorko, a former Summit Brewing Co. brewer.

Launched: 2012.
Availability: Draft, growlers.
Tours: Yes. Visit their website.
Taproom: No.
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Mantorville Brewing Co. | website | 101 East Fifth Street, Mantorville, MN
Mantorville Brewing Company is located in historic Mantorville, MN, next to the old Ginsberg brewery. They’ve been making beer since 1996 and have recently released their beers in bottles. Mantorville beer can be found on draft and in bottles.

Founded: 1996
Availability: Draft, bottles, growlers.
Tours: By appointment only – 651.387.0708.
Taproom: No.
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Olvalde Farm and Brewing Company | website | 16557 County Road 25, Rollingstone MN
Olvalde is small, traditional farmhouse brewery in rural Rollingstone, MN. Brewer Joe Pond spent time at both Summit Brewing & Goose Island before launching Olvalde in 2011. Their first two beers include The Auroch’s Horn, a strong golden ale brewed with honey and Ode to a Russian Shipwright, a porter brewed with spruce tips & rye.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Bottles.
Tours: No.
Taproom: No.
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Staples Mill Brewing Co.| website | 402 Main St. N., Stillwater, MN
Staples Mill is a small brewery & taproom in Stillwater. They make beers with a nod to old-world styles and a focus upon sustainability.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft, growlers.
Tours: Daily during hours of operation.
Taproom: Hours vary by season. Visit website for details.
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Steel Toe Brewing Co.| website | 4848 W 36th St., St. Louis Park, MN
Steel Toe Brewing launched in St. Louis Park in late 2011 after waiting out the storm of a state shutdown that kept them from brewing. Since that time the brewery has launched four year-round beers with plans to for more down the road, including a stount and barleywine aged in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels.

Launched: 2011
Availability: Draft, growlers, bottles.
Tours: During growler sales. More formal info to come.
Taproom: No.
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SummitSummit Brewing Co. | website | 910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul, MN
Summit got its start in St. Paul in 1986 and has been one of Minnesota’s best known craft beers. Summit beer is available on draft and in 12 and 22 oz. bottles.

Launched: 1986
Availability: Draft, bottles.
Tours: Tues. & Thurs. at 1pm. Saturdays at 10:30, 1 and 3:30.
Taproom: No.
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SurlySurly Brewing Co. | website | 811 Dusharme Dr., Brooklyn Center, MN
Surly Brewing Company is Minnesota’s fastest growing brewery. Surly beer is available in cans, bottles and on draft. Though they’re both cool, there is no relation between Surly Brewing Co. and Surly bikes.

Launched: 2006
Availability: Draft, cans, bottles.
Tours: Typically Fridays and Saturday. You must preregister.
Taproom: Planned.
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Vine ParkVine Park Brewing Co. | website | 1254 West 7th, St. Paul
Vine Park is probably most well known as a fun place to brew your own beer or wine. More recently, Vine Park has begun to sell growlers. Andy and Dan are brewing a batch each week on their all-grain system. This is a take-home option for antsy brewers or anyone looking to drink a little Vine Park beer.

Launched: 1995
Availability: Growlers
Tours: Ask.
Taproom: No.
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MINNESOTA CONTRACT BREWERIES

Bank Brewing Co. | website | Hendricks, MN
Bank Beer offers up several lagers and focuses upon wildlife land acquisition & preservation by donating a portion of their profits to groups such as Pheasants Forever. Visit their website to learn more.

Launched: 2008
Availability: Draft, bottles, cans.
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Bard’s Beer Company | website | Minneapolis, MN
Bard’s claim to fame is a gluten-free, sorghum malt bear containing no barley, wheat, rye or oats.

Launched: 2006
Availability: Draft, bottles.
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Blue Diamond Brewing Co. | website | St. Paul, MN

Availability: Draft, cans, bottles.
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Brainerd Lakes Beer | website | Brainerd, MN
Brainerd Lakes Beer launched in 2010 with two beers – an IPA and a wheat beer. Their beer is produced at Lake Superior Brewing Co. in Duluth.

Launched: 2010
Availability: Draft, bottles.
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FinnegansFinnegans | website | Minneapolis, MN
They may only produce one year-round and one seasonal beer, but 100% of their profits go to help the working poor and at-risk youth. This is the Twin Cities answer to “socially conscious” beer. The beer is contract brewed by St. Paul’s Summit Brewing Company. Finnegans can be found in bottles and on draft.

Founded: 2000
Availability: Draft, bottles
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Founding Fathers Brewing Co. | website | Orono, MN
Founding Fathers is a new brewing outfit that aims to donate 50% of its profits to families of the US Military. In Minnesota, they work with The Military Family Foundation and Tee It Up for the Troops.

Founded: 2011
Availability: Draft, bottles.
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Lakemaid Beer | website
Lakemaid is a limited-release beer that is a collaboration between August Schell Brewing Co. and Rapala, a manufacturer of fishing lures. A portion of the beer’s profits is donated to the International Gamefish Association for game fish research and conservation.

Launched: 2008
Availability: Kegs, bottles
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Pig’s EyePig’s Eye Brewing Co. | website | St. Paul, MN
Pig’s Eye was originally part of St. Paul’s Minnesota Brewing Company. In recent years, the brand and recipes were resurrected by the former brewmaster and VP of sales. Their beer is now produced in Lacrosse, WI.

Founded: 1992
Availability: Kegs, bottles
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St. Croix Brewing Co., LLC | website | St. Paul, MN
St. Croix Brewing Company’s claim to fame is their Maple Ale which was introduced in 1985 by former homebrewer Karl Bremer. You can find their beer in bottles and on draft in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The brand is currently owned by Tod Fyten who also owns Mantorville Brewing Co. and Theodore Fyten Brewing Co.

Founded: 1985
Availability: Draft bottles.
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Theodore Fyten Brewing Co. | website | St. Paul, MN
Tod Fyten’s third brewery project is the Theodore Fyten Brewing Company, named for his grandfather. This company produces a Grand Cru and Teddy’s Root Beer. Tod plans to eventually create stand-alone breweries for both Theodore Fyten and St. Croix.

Founded: 1999
Availability: Kegs, bottles, growlers.
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*Quick notes – we consider “launched” to be the year in which beer was first publicly available. Not to play down all of the work that goes into planning and building a brewery, but for the sake of simplicity, that’s what we’re sticking with…