Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hours

, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hours

When I left Minneapolis in 2010, little did I know that the Surly Bill, which passed a year later, would enable Minnesota breweries to serve draft beer on site and pleasantly warp my concept of craft beer in the state. At that time, the shelves and taps were primarily owned by the usual mass-produced suspects, plus legacy brewers Summit, August Schell and Grain Belt. While there were around 20 breweries at the time of the bill’s passage, today they tally over 112, ranking them 16th in the nation by per capita and total overall.

Being a brief weekend visitor to the Land of Too Many Lakes to Count, I had a rainy Sunday afternoon to kill before being poured onto my return flight back to Portland. Here’s where I chose to spend my remaining hours, attempting in vain to make up for all that lost time since 2010. 

Special thanks to my brother in arms Steve for getting us around town and being an excellent host all weekend.

Surly Brewing (Prospect Park)

, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hours

Not quite 3 years old, Surly’s “Destination Brewery” was one of the reasons for the push to pass that bill enabling more than nano-breweries to serve on site. And they didn’t mess around… Their 50,000 square foot facility and beer garden can facilitate up to 1,000 patrons, while offering phenomenal eats, not to mention 26 fresh taps. The Beer Hall feels exactly like the name implies – it’s chock full of communal, Bavarian-style tables, yet the post-modern neon and glass luminescence that fills the space is like no other. Only had time for one beer here (definitely a meal and a tour next time), yet their delicious Gose Blanche, a well-balanced Belgian-wit kettle sour with peaches, was all I needed. Definitely a must-visit, bucket-list worthy location. See more photos from my trip to Surly via my instagram account.

Fair State Brewing Cooperative (NE MPLS)
, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hours, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 HoursArriving at this smallish looking storefront brewery, I sadly realized I used to live mere blocks away from this incredible location. Powered by the motto “Drink Like You Own the Place,” Fair state specializes in arguably the best wild/sour offerings in the region. Recognized as one of RateBeer’s Top 10 New Brewers in the World in 2015, this brewery and taproom offers a little bit of everything for every palate with their 21 tap offerings, as well as bottles and crowlers to go. One of the few places we tried multiple tastes, I was delighted by their Lichtenhainer – a barrel-fermented, 100% smoked malt, sour wheat. Just as tasty was their Duplex Nation – a hazy NE style pale with Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin. While I could have stayed within the cozy, limestone brick confines of this awesome spot for hours, 3 more breweries were calling. See more shots from Fair State via my instagram post.

Indeed Brewing (NE MPLS Arts District)

, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hours
Maybe a quarter mile south, you’ll find one of the more established craft brewers in the state, Indeed. Surrounded by a distillery, cidery and another brewery, all within a stone’s throw, it’s clear they’ve drawn a crowd to what was once a mostly empty warehouse district. Another beautifully bricked, classic interior, Indeed’s taproom is filled with colorful artwork and the rustic vibe to match. While there isn’t a kitchen in house, there is a regular schedule of visiting food trucks synced with the days they’re open, Wednesday – Sunday. With 16 selections on draft, I took the advice of my friend Steve and reveled in one the best beers I had all day, Strawberry Fields – a strawberry Kettle Sour smelling and tasting like freshly cut fruit, a smoothie-like mouthfeel and a tart finish. Superb. See more shots from Indeed via my instagram feed.

Lakes & Legends Brewing (Loring Park)

, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 HoursLeaving the NE part of town, we shot down south , Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hoursto Loring Park neighborhood, to visit our 4th and youngest brewery of the day. Lakes & Legends features one of the most diverse lists of more experimental ales, specifically specializing in Farmhouse and Belgian offerings. The taproom and brewery share one large warehouse space, also offering rotating food trucks depending on the night of the week. Be sure to check their schedule because they’re often closed for private events on Saturdays. While there, my favorite taste was of their Belgian Brown brewed with Maple Syrup called Agredoux. Also sampled the adventurous Mumzo the Sour – a Kettle Sour IPA w/ Pink Guava fruit. Check out more of Lakes & Legends on my instagram account.

Town Hall Brewery (West Bank)

, Fitting in 5 Minneapolis Breweries in 5 Hours
My fifth and final stop of the day was Town Hall Brewery, possibly the most seminal location in town. Open since 1997, they feature a 36 foot long mahogany bar, a full food menu, plus 21 house and 11 guest taps. They renovated the location only 3 years ago and it really shows. The atmosphere feels somewhat heavy with a blend of turn-of-the-20th-century tin ceiling tiles, more exposed brick and brilliant neon signs. And they don’t mess around when it comes to quality beer. They create roughly 50 styles each year and have captured more GABF medals than any other brewer in the state. Great place to get a burger and a casked IPA. See the other photos I took at Town Hall on my instagram account.

Read more about Minnesota’s craft beer in our States of American Craft Beer – Minnesota article.

About Warren Wills

Warren is the former Assistant Editor & Portland Correspondent for American Craft Beer. Creator of "The State of American Craft Beer" series, he now maintains his own site at craftbeerscribe.com.
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