Land of 10,000 Libations:
Your Guide to Minnesota Breweries, Cideries, Distilleries, and Wineries
Download this Made in Minnesota Guide so you can print it out, hang it on your fridge, keep it in your car, or take it with you on a Minnesota brewery crawl!
From the land of 10,000 lakes, we're drowning in delicious craft beverages. From IPAs to bubbly, we've got it all!
Forget "mosquito haven," Minnesota's a brewer's paradise–choices are overflowing like a perfect head of foam!
Planning a distillery detour or winery weekend? This guide will serve you well. We've got all the local legends categorized by what they make (beer, cider, spirits, you name it!) and where they work their magic (north, south, east, west) within the loon state.
Can't travel? No sweat! Grab these Minnesota gems at your local Haskell's (we’re basically your Minnesota-based craft beverage ambassador).
Join us in raising a glass as we explore Minnesota's bubbling bounty! Cheers!
Minnesota Breweries By Region
Buckle up, beer lovers! Minnesota's craft beer scene is a goldmine of unique flavors and local stories. From iconic Twin Cities taprooms to historic outstate gems, this list will lead you on a hoppy exploration across the state to explore the best Minnesota beers. Whether you crave a classic cream ale after a day on the lake or a quirky Belgian brew after a hike, Minnesota's brewering companies have a pint (or two) waiting for you.
Twin Cities
Bad Weather Brewing St. Paul, MN
Never let it be said Minnesotans aren’t self-aware. We even came up with a way to say we love Bad Weather. From their Windvane Red IPA to The Hopcromancer American IPA and the classic Belgian blonde Sun Pillar, you could do a lot worse than Bad Weather’s brews when clouds gather overhead.
Bauhaus Brew Labs Minneapolis, MN
New only by comparison, Bauhaus quickly established itself as an indispensable local taproom with their core brews–Wonderstuff, Stargazer, Wagon Party, and Sky-Five–and their distinct, colorful, just-quirky-enough branding design.
Boom Island Brewing Company and Taproom Minnetonka, MN
Situated in Northeast Minneapolis, this family-owned brewery exclusively produces Belgian-style beers.
Excelsior Brewing Company Excelsior, MN
For the out-of-towners, the suburb of Excelsior is the epitome of laker life, a Minnesotan tradition that means “you’ve made it”—and now it’s time to kick back and savor it. Excelsior Brewing Company’s Big Island Blonde, Bitteschlappe Brown Ale, MinneGos, and more are the perfect complement.
Finnegan’s Brewery Minneapolis, MN
Known for its deep brews, full-flavored ambers, crisp ales, and a philanthropic mission to boot. Finnegan’s has been fueling–and feeding–the community for over a dozen years!
Fulton Beer Taproom Minneapolis, MN
One of the most recognizable Minneapolis beers, Fulton’s 50,000-square-foot Northeast brewing facility churns out local favorites like Lonely Blonde, Sweet Child of Vine, and The Ringer year-round.
Grain Belt Minneapolis, MN
Somewhere among Prince, First Ave, and the Spoonbridge & Cherry, the Grain Belt Beer sign is one of Minneapolis’s most recognizable institutions. The history of the brand is great, but you don’t need to know it to enjoy Nordeast, Grain Belt Premium, or Grain Belt Premium Light.
Indeed Brewing Company Minneapolis, MN
Another household name for Minnesota beer fanatics, Indeed distributes across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota. No wonder demand for their staples like Day Tripper, Midnight Ryder, and Dandy Lager runs high across the Bold North.
Lift Bridge Brewing Stillwater, MN
From a basement in 2008 to their brewery in Stillwater, Lift Bridge Brewery, named after a bridge that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin over the St. Croix River, crafts tasty brews to lift your spirits, too.
Padraigs Brewery Minneapolis, MN
Formally known as 612Brew, their specialty is exploring the 5000+ year history of Irish brewing in their craft beers.
Steel Toe Brewing St. Louis Park, MN
With “big dreams of staying small,” Steel Toe packs a punch in each pour with four mainstays–Size 7 IPA, Provider Ale, Rainmaker Double Red Ale, and Dissent Dark Ale—along with seasonal offerings.
Summit Brewing Company St. Paul, MN
Summit owes its whole operation to what they call their EPA—that’s “Extra Pale Ale.” Its popularity helped launch its brewery and expand its offerings to seven year-round brews and a bevy of seasonal tastes.
Surly Brewing Co Minneapolis, MN
Years ago, Surly launched Furious—and the rest is history. Passion runs so high for this top Minnesota beer brewing company that its patrons helped pass the “Surly bill” allowing brewers to sell pints at their own breweries. Celebrate the “Power of the Pint” with Furious, Bender, Hell, Overrated, or any of their great brews.
South West
Brau Brothers Brewing Marshall, MN
It’s hard to get more beer-y than a beer-making family whose last name is the German word for “beer”. Try their creamy, chocolatey, malted MooJoos Oatmeal Milk Stout, made with locally sourced milk.
South East
Mankato Brewery Mankato, MN
With their Kato beers, Mankato Brewery helped revive local brewing in this Twin Cities suburb. Their Haymaker IPA garnered local acclaim, while Kato Lager pays homage to the history of the Mankato region.
Olvalde Farm & Brewing Company Rollingstone, MN
An old hand guides Olvalde’s brewing and naming conventions. See “The Auroch’s Horn,” “Ode to a Russian Shipwright,” and “Rise of the Burghers and the all of the feudal lords'' for a few examples–then you need to try them to match the epic name to the epic flavor.
Schell’s Beer New Ulm, MN
One of the oldest active breweries in America, you could say Schell’s is responsible for the modern-day success of craft brewing in Minnesota. Celebrate the legacy with Deer Brand, a Midwest favorite since before prohibition.
North East
Bent Paddle Brewing Duluth, MN
When you use a bent canoe paddle to mix your brewing mash, you’re kind of accepting that as your name. Try multiple award winner 14° ESB, Venture Pilsener Lager, or any of this Duluth area’s flagship brews.
Blacklist Brewing Company Duluth, MN
Try Or De Belgique, Imperial Rhubarb Wit, Spruce Tipped, Local 755, or Or Cran for a good vertical slice of this Duluth brewery’s selection.
Third Street Brewhouse Cold Spring, MN
The rich history of this brewery dates back to 1874 and culminates today in Third Street Brewhouse, a stunning taproom serving MN Gold Lager, made with Minnesota waters, Lost Trout, Bitter Neighbor, and more distinct brews.
Twin Cities
Minneapolis Cider Company Minneapolis, MN
This is the local hangout in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood, offering a welcoming atmosphere for all ages. They're passionate about cider, crafting unique (like THC ciders) and delicious varieties using fresh ingredients. Their taproom boasts an industrial vibe with a spacious patio, perfect for enjoying a cider alongside handcrafted food or even a game of pickleball!
Number 12 Cider Minneapolis, MN
“Reinventing tradition” to create “distinctive ciders” translates quickly to “we make great cider” at Number 12. The flagship Number 12 is the culmination of 17 years of experimentation on behalf of this Minnesota cider producer.
Sociable Cider Werks Minneapolis, MN
With 30 years of cider-making experience, Sociable Cider brings a fresh cider experience to Minneapolis. Opening their doors in 2018 marked them as Minneapolis North Loop’s largest cidery!
West Central
Milk & Honey Stearns Country, MN
This farmhouse cidery is known for its unique and flavorful hard ciders. They craft their ciders using heirloom and traditional apple varieties, with minimal intervention to showcase the apples' natural taste. Their taproom is open year-round, offering a cozy atmosphere in winter and spacious patios to enjoy the sunshine in warmer months.
South East
Keepsake Cidery Dundas, MN
This family-owned orchard, cidery, and tasting room only uses organic, locally-sourced apples and pears to craft their delicious hard ciders. With over 50 apple varieties growing on their farm, Keepsake prioritizes showcasing the unique taste of the fruit through long aging and time-honored methods.
North East
Wild State Cider Duluth, MN
They specialize in crafting hard cider from fresh-pressed apples, boasting a focus on natural ingredients and skipping added sugar and preservatives. Their taproom features over 10 ciders, alongside non-alcoholic options and snacks for a relaxing visit!
Minnesota Distilleries By Region
Minnesota's distilling scene offers a vibrant mix of innovative creations and time-honored traditions. From Minneapolis' first legal microdistillery to a husband-and-wife operation on the shores of Lake Superior, following this list will surely lead you on a flavorful adventure. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or a whiskey aficionado, Minnesota's distilleries are ready to tantalize your taste buds with handcrafted libations made with local flair.
Twin Cities
Norseman Distillery Minneapolis, MN
Making a splash as Minneapolis’s first legal microdistillery since prohibition, Norseman distillery now offers over 50 spirits and liqueurs all over the state. The Strawberry Rhubarb Gin is one of our favorites, and Bon Appétit likes it, too.
Tattersall Distilling Minneapolis, MN
This Twin Cities distillery has seen its share of accolades, including Best Distillery by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Try Orange Crema, Bootleg Bourbon, Barreled Gin, or their myriad other specialty liqueurs.
West Central
J. Carver Distillery Waconia, MN
J. Carver’s gin gets its distinctly medium amber hue by resting in Minnesota-made virgin bourbon barrels for weeks and months, which might be why they call it “a whiskey lover’s gin”. Their 100 percent wheat vodka, rye whiskey, and bourbon are nothing to sneeze at, either.
North East
Vikre Distillery Duluth, MN
Using ingredients from the Lake Superior watershed, this husband and wife-founded distillery specializes in boreal gins, vodkas, aquavit, whiskey, and more.
Minnesota Wineries By Region
Ready to embark on a delicious wine adventure? Minnesota's diverse wine scene offers something for every taste bud and travel style. From award-winning wineries with stunning scenery to charming hidden gems, this list will lead you through the best vineyards across the state.
Whether you're seeking a romantic escape in the Twin Cities or a cozy tasting experience with breathtaking North Shore views, prepare to raise a glass and toast to Minnesota's unique wines!
Twin Cities
Saint Croix Vineyards Stillwater, MN.
Featuring wines made from brand-new grapes grown by the University of Minnesota viticulture program, St. Croix has kept it local to become one of Minnesota’s premier vineyards.
Yellow House Vineyard Afton, MN.
Yellow House Vineyard offers a casual and friendly atmosphere with a focus on handcrafted, small-batch wines. It's a great place to try something new and enjoy the company of friends.
West Central
Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery Kimball, MN
This winery offers a taste of history alongside its wines, housed in a beautifully restored 1880s barn.
Parley Lake Winery Waconia, MN
Enjoy scenic views of Parley Lake while sipping on their award-winning wines, known for their bold fruit flavors.
Rolling Forks Vineyards Glenwood, MN
Rolling Forks focuses on crafting small-batch, handcrafted wines using grapes grown on their estate vineyards.
Sovereign Estate Waconia, MN
Family-owned and operated, Sovereign Estate focuses on handcrafted wines using cold-climate grapes.
South West
Round Lake Vineyards & Winery Round Lake, MN
Soak up the beauty of Round Lake while sampling wines at Round Lake Vineyards & Winery.
South East
Alexis Bailly Vineyard Hastings, MN
One of Minnesota's oldest wineries, Alexis Bailly boasts a historic limestone winery and elegant wines.
Cannon River Winery Cannon Falls, MN
This winery uses French techniques to create unique wines from grapes grown in the Mississippi River Valley.
Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery Kasota, MN
Kasota's Chankaska Creek Ranch offers a double treat: tasty wines and spirits!
Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery Spring Valley, MN
Family-owned and operated, Four Daughters offers a variety of styles from dry to sweet, perfect for all palates.
Indian Island Winery Janesville, MN
Janesville's Indian Island Winery promises a charming experience alongside its delightful wines.
Next Chapter Winery New Prague, MN
Rustic elegance awaits at Next Chapter. Think chandeliers, vineyard views, and a cozy atmosphere perfect for sipping on barrel-aged wines.
Vintage Escape Winery Kilkenny, MN
They offer a variety of wines and might even have you feeling like you've stumbled upon a hidden gem.
North West
Carlos Creek Winery Alexandria, MN
Alexandria's Carlos Creek Winery offers a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy their delicious wines.
Forestedge Winery Laporte, MN
Escape to Forestedge Winery in Laporte for a taste of their unique wines made with cold-hardy grapes.
North East
7 Vines Vineyard and Winery Dellwood, MN
Head to Dellwood to sip on award-winning wines at 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery.
North Shore Winery Lutsen, MN
Nestled near the breathtaking North Shore, this winery offers stunning lake views and a cozy tasting room to sample their cold-climate wines.
Rustic Roots Winery Scandia, MN
True to its name, Rustic Roots offers a down-to-earth vibe with delicious wines. It's a great place to unwind and savor the simpler things.
Wild Mountain Winery Taylor Falls, MN
Wild Mountain Winery in Taylor Falls offers stunning views alongside their wild, bold wines.
And that's a wrap on your guide to exploring Minnesota's bounty of beverages! From refreshing ciders to award-winning wines, Minnesota's craft beverage scene has something for every taste bud. We hope this guide whets your whistle (or sparks your inner sommelier) and inspires you to raise a glass to all things Minnesotan. Cheers!