When it comes to visiting different breweries, few places offer more variety than our state of Minnesota. Our state is home to five breweries, which span the full spectrum of styles and types of brewing. While each of these breweries provides a unique experience, there seems to be common denominators that make each of them a great stop on any ‘brewery tour’ in Minnesota. The following paragraphs will highlight some of the highlights of each of the five breweries we have brewing operations in.
First and foremost, the largest and oldest of the breweries in Minnesota, taps into the rich tradition of brewing with local ingredients. Many of their brews contain ingredients from the area around Maple Lake including muscat, hazelnut and maple syrup. This rich tradition gives credibility to the beers brewed here, as well as providing a variety of styles for visitors to choose from. Of course, one of the best things about visiting this brewery is that they are open to visitors all year, so you can literally visit any time of the year to enjoy a hot brew.
Second, Green Man Brewing is located in the scenic town of Northeast Minneapolis. Consisting of six geographically distinct breweries, Green Man Brewing has gained a lot of recognition for their wide variety of brews including session beers,IPAs and lagers. There is even an annual Oktoberfest event that brings thousands of drinkers together each October. If you love German beer, this is definitely a place you should look to when in the area.
Third, Modern Times Beer Co. is one of the newer breweries in Minnesota. Established in 1998, this brewery is made up of a group of dedicated craft brewers who work to bring you high quality and variety of beers. You will find a variety of special releases each year and they even have an extensive range of seasonal beers. Some of the year-round beers include pumpkin ale, harvest berry brew, and their flagship “PA Green Ale” which is brewed with organic wheat, oats, wheat, and green chilies. This is truly a brewery to try and enjoy.
Fourth, New World Craft Beer Co. is another place you should consider if you are in the mood to drink lots of great beers. This is a small operation but one that you should definitely do a stop by to see what they have to offer. You may be surprised at some of the beers they have to offer and at this point they have four beers on tap! This is definitely a place worth checking out if you are in the area. Their prices are reasonable as well so you can enjoy a variety without breaking the bank.
Finally, it just wouldn’t be beer without some pizza! At Brew Pub and Grille we have a wonderful selection of California style pizza that is paired with our beers. We have two locations in Minneapolis and one in Apple Valley, but you should give the Twin Cities a try if you are in the area. There is a great range of foods you can enjoy while enjoying your beer and food pairing beers will certainly be a theme in your visit to the USA.
