Minneapolis may be the home of the original Grain Belt, but it’s the capital city of St. Paul that’s led brewing history in the state. From the large beer hall at the iconic Summit to the downtown St. Paul charm of Great Waters to the modern design of the new Bad Weather Brewing Company, the city has a wealth of variety in both beer style and taproom atmosphere. Whether near the shops on W. 7th, the bustle of Xcel Center, or in charming neighborhoods like the East Side and Midway, the city has a brewery for all walks of life.
We offer you the best in St. Paul Breweries in alphabetical order. Got any tips for drinking at these sites? Hit the comments below and let us know.
After three years in business, Bad Weather opened its taproom in St. Paul last fall and quickly expanded the beer profile in fun, new directions. The flagships are to style with a twist. The taproom only beers are often creative; featuring new hops, Earl Grey tea, and more. In the fall, Ominous brown is rich and delicious, and Sun Pillar Belgian Blond and Windvane red IPA are top notch.
Playfully dubbed “The Bin,” this pre-fab grain bin turned micro brewery brings a “beer in the garage” aesthetic to the masses. A small and comfortable brewery that uses all organic ingredients, Bang is a quiet alternative to some of the more nightlife-centered taprooms in town, a getaway right in the heart of the metro.
There are mainstream gluten free beers, but truth in labeling reveals most to be “gluten reduced.” Burning Bros. makes their beers from scratch, keeping any gluteny ingredients outside of their Celiac safe zone. Pyro American Pale Ale is a crisp and relaxing day beer that pairs well with pretty much all foods, while Roasted is a coffee strong ale beer that mixes a little sweet caramel with a bitter cold press. So, it's just an extra bonus that these guys really do blow fire in addition to making beer.
St. Paul’s second oldest production brewery finally entered the taproom scene in 2015, entering a historic remodel of the old Hamm’s site. With renovation still in progress, there’s an element of drinking in a historic relic that hasn’t been fancied up and given the museum “look but don’t touch” treatment—and it works wonderfully, with well-worn brick walls and warehouse corridors, it’s a taproom like no other. Try the Cygnus X-1 porter.
Brewpubs get lost in the taproom hype, even though many of them pre-date the scene by a solid decade. Great Waters, established in 1997, has been a downtown cornerstone and master of English cask beers for years. As so many breweries open, it’s harder for each to find a niche. For 19 years, Great Waters has been doing it their way all along, whether through the IPA heyday or into the fruit-infusion trends of today.
Just off Interstate 94, this former railyard building gives a history that stretches way beyond when Matt Lange brewed his first batches of Lake Monster. After contract brewing to start, Lake Monster opened in late 2015, adding stouts, a sour brown, and a dedicated nitro line to pair with the familiar Calhoun Claw pilsener and Empty Rowboat IPA.
While many of St. Paul’s breweries are in industrial relics, Sidhe is in a Payne Avenue corner unit where one can enter through the front, passing authentic Mexican cuisine, or via a side stairwell a la Cheers. Walking down the stairs is the perfect symbol, as the outside world is hidden away in a sea of board games, a stage that frequently hosts live tunes and DJs, and Irish-themed beers. It’s cozy and welcoming, and just a little bit hidden away.
Thirty years of experience have given Summit a wall of awards and an iconic name in the state. The taproom was built into the existing production space and has a large hall vibe that suits large groups with room to move around the expansive space. While Extra Pale Ale has become synonymous with the brand, the taproom boasts their full lineup. It’s a great place to enjoy a creamy Oatmeal Stout, a light bodied Hopvale, or the latest Unchained variety, reminding everyone that Summit’s success runs way beyond the EPA bottle.
They have a mural of a giant robot toasting a beer. Need we say more? Okay, the beer stands on its own too, beyond the electronics nerd jokes in the naming and the brilliant circuit board flight holsters. Tiny Circuit coffee stout is seemingly a 50-50 blend, getting significant character of both drinks, Wheatstone Bridge is a unique soft body and honey-floral note, and there’s always something new and usually a bit unexpected on cask. Perfect for board game nights.
Urban Growler goes where few taprooms dare: food preparation. With a sandwich and taco menu, the craft brewery focuses on balanced beers with a penchant for adjuncts. Plow to Pint series collaborates with local farms in beers like Rhubarb Wit and 10,000 Plums barleywine, while CowBell Cream Ale and Big Boot Rye IPA are core flagships. There is beautiful beer garden and the building itself was once a police stable.
No beer is served onsite at Vine Park, but the unique brew on premise concept allows scheduled visitors to make their own and bring it home a few weeks later. Vine Park also sells growlers of their recipes, so swing by and pick up a 64 oz.
Wabasha is a unique neighborhood brewery, versus the somewhat destination feel at some others. It’s homey and small, with wood and cozy corners that make it feel like you’re at home, but with the West Side Popper Jalapeno Cream Ale, Snowblower Vanilla Porter, or Implosion IPA (or Double Implosion DIPA) coming fresh from the tap to your table or couch.
After three years in business, Bad Weather opened its taproom in St. Paul last fall and quickly expanded the beer profile in fun, new directions. The flagships are to style with a twist. The taproom only beers are often creative; featuring new hops, Earl Grey tea, and more. In the fall, Ominous brown is rich and delicious, and Sun Pillar Belgian Blond and Windvane red IPA are top notch.
Playfully dubbed “The Bin,” this pre-fab grain bin turned micro brewery brings a “beer in the garage” aesthetic to the masses. A small and comfortable brewery that uses all organic ingredients, Bang is a quiet alternative to some of the more nightlife-centered taprooms in town, a getaway right in the heart of the metro.
There are mainstream gluten free beers, but truth in labeling reveals most to be “gluten reduced.” Burning Bros. makes their beers from scratch, keeping any gluteny ingredients outside of their Celiac safe zone. Pyro American Pale Ale is a crisp and relaxing day beer that pairs well with pretty much all foods, while Roasted is a coffee strong ale beer that mixes a little sweet caramel with a bitter cold press. So, it's just an extra bonus that these guys really do blow fire in addition to making beer.
St. Paul’s second oldest production brewery finally entered the taproom scene in 2015, entering a historic remodel of the old Hamm’s site. With renovation still in progress, there’s an element of drinking in a historic relic that hasn’t been fancied up and given the museum “look but don’t touch” treatment—and it works wonderfully, with well-worn brick walls and warehouse corridors, it’s a taproom like no other. Try the Cygnus X-1 porter.
Brewpubs get lost in the taproom hype, even though many of them pre-date the scene by a solid decade. Great Waters, established in 1997, has been a downtown cornerstone and master of English cask beers for years. As so many breweries open, it’s harder for each to find a niche. For 19 years, Great Waters has been doing it their way all along, whether through the IPA heyday or into the fruit-infusion trends of today.
Just off Interstate 94, this former railyard building gives a history that stretches way beyond when Matt Lange brewed his first batches of Lake Monster. After contract brewing to start, Lake Monster opened in late 2015, adding stouts, a sour brown, and a dedicated nitro line to pair with the familiar Calhoun Claw pilsener and Empty Rowboat IPA.
While many of St. Paul’s breweries are in industrial relics, Sidhe is in a Payne Avenue corner unit where one can enter through the front, passing authentic Mexican cuisine, or via a side stairwell a la Cheers. Walking down the stairs is the perfect symbol, as the outside world is hidden away in a sea of board games, a stage that frequently hosts live tunes and DJs, and Irish-themed beers. It’s cozy and welcoming, and just a little bit hidden away.
Thirty years of experience have given Summit a wall of awards and an iconic name in the state. The taproom was built into the existing production space and has a large hall vibe that suits large groups with room to move around the expansive space. While Extra Pale Ale has become synonymous with the brand, the taproom boasts their full lineup. It’s a great place to enjoy a creamy Oatmeal Stout, a light bodied Hopvale, or the latest Unchained variety, reminding everyone that Summit’s success runs way beyond the EPA bottle.
They have a mural of a giant robot toasting a beer. Need we say more? Okay, the beer stands on its own too, beyond the electronics nerd jokes in the naming and the brilliant circuit board flight holsters. Tiny Circuit coffee stout is seemingly a 50-50 blend, getting significant character of both drinks, Wheatstone Bridge is a unique soft body and honey-floral note, and there’s always something new and usually a bit unexpected on cask. Perfect for board game nights.
Urban Growler goes where few taprooms dare: food preparation. With a sandwich and taco menu, the craft brewery focuses on balanced beers with a penchant for adjuncts. Plow to Pint series collaborates with local farms in beers like Rhubarb Wit and 10,000 Plums barleywine, while CowBell Cream Ale and Big Boot Rye IPA are core flagships. There is beautiful beer garden and the building itself was once a police stable.
No beer is served onsite at Vine Park, but the unique brew on premise concept allows scheduled visitors to make their own and bring it home a few weeks later. Vine Park also sells growlers of their recipes, so swing by and pick up a 64 oz.
Wabasha is a unique neighborhood brewery, versus the somewhat destination feel at some others. It’s homey and small, with wood and cozy corners that make it feel like you’re at home, but with the West Side Popper Jalapeno Cream Ale, Snowblower Vanilla Porter, or Implosion IPA (or Double Implosion DIPA) coming fresh from the tap to your table or couch.
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