Minnesota's expanding beer scene isn't just confined to the Twin Cities. Breweries, taprooms, and brewpubs are popping up all over the state and are destinations worth seeking out. We've covered taprooms around greater Minnesota but there are also plenty of brewpubs worth mentioning. These Minnesota brewpubs tend to border lakes and rivers which make them ideal stops when planning year-round getaways.
From Ely to Winona (spanning a distance of about 350 miles), and everything in-between, we present to you the essential guide to greater Minnesota brewpubs, to answer all your questions about which Minnesota towns these gems are tucked away in, when they're open, and what you can expect to find there.
Did we miss any Minnesota brewpubs outside of the Twin Cities metro area? Let us know in the comments.
Located in downtown Ely, Boathouse Brewpub focuses on fresh, local ingredients in both their beer and food offerings. Brewer Joel Carlson hand-crafts beer including the once seasonal, now staple Blueberry Blond Ale and the Double Portage IPA. Menu items include duck wings, beer battered walleye, black bean burgers, and gluten free options. Beer is available in glass and BWCAW-legal plastic growlers for taking into the wilderness. Hours: Daily 11am-11pm (hours vary during the winter/summer months).
With 25 years of experience and numerous awards under his belt, master brewer, Dave Hoops (whose brother is Mike Hoops, of Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery) crafts beers for this north shore brewpub. A rotating selection includes staples like El Niño and Apricot Wheat and specialty beers like the Sochi Series, USA IPA, which features 25 American-grown hop varieties. Brewpub fare focuses on fresh, local ingredients. Glass and BWCAW-compatible Nalgene growlers are available. Hours: Sun and Mon 11am-midnight, Tues-Thurs 11am-1am, Fri and Sat 11am-2am (restaurant and bar hours differ).
Located in the heart of Canal Park on Lake Superior, this owner-operated brewpub was founded in 2011 and opened in 2012. Canal Park Brewing focuses on using local and sustainable hops, grains, and malts, whenever possible. Beer selection rotates seasonally and typically features four beers on cask. Menu items include Thousand Hills grass-fed burgers, mussels, cheese curds, and fish tacos. Growlers are available. Hours: Sun–Thurs 11am–11pm, Fri and Sat 11am–1am.
The Downtown Duluth Irish brewpub produces six craft beers at a time - four year-round and two seasonals. They focus on European style ales including the the Agnes Rush Red and Famine 47 Irish Stout. Carmody also boasts the largest selection of Irish whiskey in Northern Minnesota. Pub fare includes dogs, wraps, and Bangers and mash (made exclusively for Carmody). Growlers are available.
Hours: daily 3pm to 2am
This Irish nano-brewery brewpub has been around for eight years in Downtown Duluth. They brew beers like the Potato Stout and Maple Ale, by hand in 2-8 keg batches. Dubh Linn offers a classic pub menu from family recipes going back three generations. The menu focuses on fresh, local fare including bangers and mash and smoked Lake Superior trout. Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am.
Located one block off Highway 61, Red Wing Brewing Company is situated in the old brewery district just up the street from the site of the original Red Wing Brewery. Founded in 2011, Red Wing's beer, including Work Boot Red and Stoneware Stout, is produced and sold exclusively at the brewpub. The menu features handmade appetizers, and pizzas including a tator tot hotdish pizza. Growlers are available. Hours: Tues-Thurs 4pm-9pm, Fri and Sat noon-10pm, Sun noon-8pm.
Reads Landing Brewing Company is located in a historic two-story building along the Mississippi River. Handcrafted, seasonally-minded beer is brewed on-site, including a Mocha Porter on nitro. Menu items feature locally produced fish, poultry, and meats with a southern flare (sweet potato tots!). Growlers are available. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri and Sat 11am-10pm, Sun noon-9 pm (hours vary during summer/winter months).
Backwater Brewing Company is one of Minnesota’s smallest commercial breweries located at Wellington's Pub & Grill, inside Westgate Bowl. It is the area's only brewpub and smoked barbeque restaurant, serving food since 1988 and its own micro-brews since 1995. BBC offers four house beers and an occasional specialty beer. Pub fare includes burgers, smoked ribs, brisket, and award-winning chili. Hours: Daily 11am to 1am.
Located in downtown Ely, Boathouse Brewpub focuses on fresh, local ingredients in both their beer and food offerings. Brewer Joel Carlson hand-crafts beer including the once seasonal, now staple Blueberry Blond Ale and the Double Portage IPA. Menu items include duck wings, beer battered walleye, black bean burgers, and gluten free options. Beer is available in glass and BWCAW-legal plastic growlers for taking into the wilderness. Hours: Daily 11am-11pm (hours vary during the winter/summer months).
With 25 years of experience and numerous awards under his belt, master brewer, Dave Hoops (whose brother is Mike Hoops, of Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery) crafts beers for this north shore brewpub. A rotating selection includes staples like El Niño and Apricot Wheat and specialty beers like the Sochi Series, USA IPA, which features 25 American-grown hop varieties. Brewpub fare focuses on fresh, local ingredients. Glass and BWCAW-compatible Nalgene growlers are available. Hours: Sun and Mon 11am-midnight, Tues-Thurs 11am-1am, Fri and Sat 11am-2am (restaurant and bar hours differ).
Located in the heart of Canal Park on Lake Superior, this owner-operated brewpub was founded in 2011 and opened in 2012. Canal Park Brewing focuses on using local and sustainable hops, grains, and malts, whenever possible. Beer selection rotates seasonally and typically features four beers on cask. Menu items include Thousand Hills grass-fed burgers, mussels, cheese curds, and fish tacos. Growlers are available. Hours: Sun–Thurs 11am–11pm, Fri and Sat 11am–1am.
The Downtown Duluth Irish brewpub produces six craft beers at a time - four year-round and two seasonals. They focus on European style ales including the the Agnes Rush Red and Famine 47 Irish Stout. Carmody also boasts the largest selection of Irish whiskey in Northern Minnesota. Pub fare includes dogs, wraps, and Bangers and mash (made exclusively for Carmody). Growlers are available.
Hours: daily 3pm to 2am
This Irish nano-brewery brewpub has been around for eight years in Downtown Duluth. They brew beers like the Potato Stout and Maple Ale, by hand in 2-8 keg batches. Dubh Linn offers a classic pub menu from family recipes going back three generations. The menu focuses on fresh, local fare including bangers and mash and smoked Lake Superior trout. Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am.
Located one block off Highway 61, Red Wing Brewing Company is situated in the old brewery district just up the street from the site of the original Red Wing Brewery. Founded in 2011, Red Wing's beer, including Work Boot Red and Stoneware Stout, is produced and sold exclusively at the brewpub. The menu features handmade appetizers, and pizzas including a tator tot hotdish pizza. Growlers are available. Hours: Tues-Thurs 4pm-9pm, Fri and Sat noon-10pm, Sun noon-8pm.
Reads Landing Brewing Company is located in a historic two-story building along the Mississippi River. Handcrafted, seasonally-minded beer is brewed on-site, including a Mocha Porter on nitro. Menu items feature locally produced fish, poultry, and meats with a southern flare (sweet potato tots!). Growlers are available. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri and Sat 11am-10pm, Sun noon-9 pm (hours vary during summer/winter months).
Backwater Brewing Company is one of Minnesota’s smallest commercial breweries located at Wellington's Pub & Grill, inside Westgate Bowl. It is the area's only brewpub and smoked barbeque restaurant, serving food since 1988 and its own micro-brews since 1995. BBC offers four house beers and an occasional specialty beer. Pub fare includes burgers, smoked ribs, brisket, and award-winning chili. Hours: Daily 11am to 1am.
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