twin cities metro area
Utepils Brewing
I hadn't heard much about Utepils other than they were a new brewery (just opened Feb 2017) and the beer was good. So I was quite surprised when I walked into a huge 18,000 square foot brewery and taproom, rather uncommon for most new neighborhood brewpubs. This is the way to open up a new brewery - high hopes and aspirations, and planned for expansion! You walk into the taproom through a long entry way flanked by the 6 huge fermenting tanks on the left and a state-of-the-art 50-barrel brewing system on the right. Beer is brewed using water from a nearby spring. The taproom has lots of space and open area and has a old European beer hall-style feel to it. The size of it makes it the sixth largest brewhouse in Minnesota, behind the likes of Summit, Schell's and Surly. There were only 5 beers on tap but since they only recently opened, we'll take it. The beer will primarily be European and session lagers. Utepils plans to open a large outdoor beer garden which will border the nearby creek along the property. The name Utepils is a Norwegian word that roughly translates to "The first beer enjoyed outdoors in the sunshine after a long, cold winter." Very fitting for Minnesota's long winters. Food is available from a food truck parked outside on a nightly basis. The brewery shares a parking lot with other warehouse businesses but there is ample street parking and a Utepils parking lot at the main street entrance. Location: 225 Thomas Ave N # 700, Minneapolis Updated: Apr '17
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Tap Room
Beer Flight (on skis)
Main Entry, Fermenters and Brewing Tanks
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Lakes & Legends Brewing
Lakes & Legends is a Belgian-style brewery focusing on farmhouse saisons, wits and Trappist-style beer. Nice rustic interior which is sort of a mix between Minnesota rural and Belgium countryside, although it sort of clashes with the modern exterior of the building. But the quality of beer that is more important. Large interior accommodates occasional live music and other events. It's located on the outer edge of the Minneapolis downtown area. No food is served but there is an occasional food truck. Location: 1368 Lasalle Avenue, Minneapolis Updated: Apr '17
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Bar Area
Exterior/Entrance
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10K Brewing
Small 3-barrel nano brewery located in the North suburbs of Minneapolis in Anoka. lis downtown area. No food is served but there is an occasional food truck. With lots of fermenting capacity, 10K is able to brew often and offer lots of variety of styles among their 10 taps. Plenty of seating is available with live music played most nights, although the volume was quite loud making it difficult to carry on a conversation. No food is served but there are lots of places to choose from within a block for ordering or picking up. Location: 2005 2nd Avenue, Anoka Updated: May '17
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Bar Area
Live Music Many Nights
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56 Brewing
56 Brewing had been brewing beer in Minnesota for a year or more before they finally moved into a building large enough for a taproom. The spacious taproom and brewery opened in May 2017. Their original location, which seems to be a stepping stone to greater success, is now home to a 3rd generation of start-up breweries. Up to 16 taps are pouring a core of session craft beers which is supplemented by an occasional food truck. They have a nice assortment of styles on draft. 56 Brewing primarily tries to use locally sourced products in their beer. Hops are grown on-site as wells as various spices and herbs which can be used in their beers. Good sized outdoor patio for summertime enjoyment. Location: 3055 NE Columbia Ave Suite 102, Minneapolis Updated: May '17
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Entrance and Patio
Brewing System
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HeadFlyer
HeadFlyer Brewing opened in April 2017 and is located in popular NE Minneapolis. They are located in a refurbished textile building which now holds offices above the brewery. The inside has a nice fresh feel with lots of beer hall table space suitable for large groups. They have a fascinating huge cribbage table, pictured at right, which generated lots of interest and game players. It was busy most of the night we were there. We were fortunate to spend time with the 2 brewers, Neil and Nate, discussing a little bit about the 15-barrel brewery and social media. Neil, the head brewer, is also one of the co-founders of the brewery. On tap was a very nice New England IPA, which was Nate's creation. Along with their flagship beers, they will be brewing small-batch seasonal beer and experimental beer. Various food trucks serve the hungry Friday through Sunday. With a spacious interior, large outdoor patio, lounge with fireplace and off-street parking (a luxury in Minneapolis) this place is sure to be a hit!. Location: 861 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis Updated: May '17
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Brewing Tanks
Giant Cribbage Table
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Wabasha Brewing
Located just south of downtown St. Paul, this 15-barrel brewery provides a nice local brewpub ambiance. Serving up to 16 of their craft beers, you will find a variety of styles being offered - something for everyone, including a few IPAs, stouts, porters and a lager or two. Friendly atmosphere mixed between locals and others traveling a bit farther seeking out good beer. No food is served but you can bring in your own from neighboring restaurants. Location: 429 Wabasha Street South, St Paul Updated: Jun '17
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Bar Area
Entrance
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BlackStack Brewing
Tim and I met up here to enjoy a few beers from the new Twin Cities brewery that open in March 2017. It resides in an old St. Paul factory whose history includes manufacturing cans for the old Schmidt's Brewery. The exterior is notable for the large smokestack in front of the building while the interior is very expansive with lots of room for future growth. A spacious taproom and long bar allow customers to spread out and not feel cramped while enjoying their favorite brew. There is a family friendly atmosphere with a large table of games to play with your friends or family. We were fortunate to meet the assistant brewer, Murphy, who indulged lots of questions from us and gave a tour of the brewery. A food truck sits out front most nights to satisfy your hunger while you drink. Beer names are a tribute to the workers and the factories which preceded the brewery. Location: 755 Prior Avenue North, St. Paul Updated: Apr '19
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BlackStack Brewing
Bar and Interior
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Barrel Theory Beer Company
Located in the Lowertown section of St. Paul, Barrel Theory was one of the most anticipated brewery openings in Minnesota - perhaps because the owners all had prior Surly Brewing experience or the anticipation for barrel-aged beers. The anticipation for the opening is no more as they officially opened the 10-barrel brewery and taproom at the end of June 2017 but the anticipation for barrel-aged beers will need to wait a little longer. The tap list had a nice selection for a newly-opened brewery consisting of several IPAs, including a very tasting NE IPA, a coffee stout and a berliner weisse. It's hard to find a good berliner weisse in the US but this was one of them. The huge L-shaped bar is the highlight of the taproom and there are plenty of tables around the taproom from which to enjoy some very good beer. I expect they'll be able to add several more tap selections as they get some time under their belts. No food is served but they will be putting a pass-through window in the wall between them and the restaurant next door for ordering food. Like everyone else, my anticipation was high, I wasn't disappointed, and will be back very, very soon. Location: 248 7th Street East, St Paul Updated: Mar '18
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Bar Area
Brewing System
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Burning Brothers Brewing
"Don't Fear the Beer" is the slogan for this gluten-free brewery. I must admit that I had a little trepidation about visiting this brewery because I hadn't really tried any gluten-free beers that I've enjoyed. After visiting here, I realized that gluten-free and enjoyable beer can be used in the same sentence. They seem to have found the right combination of gluten-free products, such as sorghum, buckwheat and millet, to brew some decent beer from their 7-barrel brewing system. The food truck outside also sells only gluten-free food. Location: 1750 West Thomas Avenue, St Paul Updated: Aug '17
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Brewing System
Taproom
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Pryes Brewing
Pryes has a great North Minneapolis location just off the Mississippi river. With a spacious taproom that opens to the outside, a nice outdoor patio with a view of the river, they can accommodate a large number of beer-lovers. To satisfy your hunger, Red Wagon pizza has a built in serving area where you can order a few pizzas or appetizers. For amusement while you are enjoying your beer, check out the large feather bowling court (pictured at right) in the back just in front of the brewing tanks. There is also a large bicycle-parking area for local bike enthusiasts. All-in-all, a great Minnesota beer drinking experience. Location: 1401 West River Rd N, Minneapolis Updated: Mar '18
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Bar Area
Feather Bowling
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