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The Essential Guide to Twin Cities Brewpubs, October '13

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There's no doubt that the craft beer scene in the Twin Cities has exploded over the past few years, with taprooms popping up all over the metro since the Surly Bill was passed in 2011. But did you know that Twin Cities brewpubs have been around since as early as the late 90s? Brewpub, taproom, what's the difference? Brewpubs are restaurant-breweries that brew beer on-site and also have a full kitchen, while taprooms are breweries that have a license to sell only their own beer on-site. Now that we've discussed the correct terminology, we present you our Essential Guide to Twin Cities Brewpubs.

Any great food and beer pairings at these establishments? Let us know in the comments.


· The Essential Guide to Twin Cities Taprooms, May '13 [Eater MPLS]
· All Eater Maps [Eater MPLS]

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Barley John's Brewpub

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John Moore and wife, Laura Subak, founded this New Brighton brewpub in 2000. They feature four flagship beers as well as an additional 4-7 seasonal recipes at any given time. Brewpub fare includes habanero hummus, grilled pizzas, and standard sandwiches and burgers. They'll soon be the only brewery in Minnesota to install a solar array to provide solar energy to the facility. Growlers are available. Stop in for Cask Wednesdays where you can try special cask beers like their porter with peanut butter. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday: 11am-10pm

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

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Ranked as one of the nation's best brewpubs, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery has been situated in the West Bank's Seven Corners area since 1997. Pub fare includes Seward co-op beer brats, stuffed pretzels, burgers, and sliders. The brewery recently took home a silver medal during the Great American Beer Festival (the premier U.S. beer festival and competition). Growlers are available. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-1am Friday-Saturday: 11am-2am Sunday: 11am-Midnight

Herkimer Pub & Brewery

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The Uptown brewpub has been around since 1999 and specializes in brewing German-style ales and lagers. It is typically a packed crowd during football games (Warning: Packer Bar) and is popular for happy hour. Notable food items include warm pub pretzel, burgers, chicken and waffles, and pretzel flatbreads. Hours: Daily from 10am–2am

Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub

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Opened in late 2012, Northbound is the newcomer of the bunch. Located near the Blue Line's 38th Street Station, the brewpub has their own beer on tap (Light Rail Pale Ale, Smokehouse Porter) alongside rotating guest beers from local breweries. Eats include smoked white cheddar cheese curds, smoked salmon or whitefish dip, and well, lots of items smoked in-house. Growlers are available. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-1am Friday-Saturday 11am-2am

Chatterbox Pub

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OK, so yes, this is technically NOT a brewpub, but it does have its own selection of micro-brewed drafts (brewed off-site) that are worth mentioning. There are three Twin Cities locations where you can try the Chit Chat White Ale while playing board games or relaxing on vintage couches while playing 8-bit Nintendo. Food items include a beer cheese fondue made with their own Chatterbox Speakeasy Lager, pizzas, and burgers. Hours: Vary by location.

Great Waters Restaurant And Brewing Co.

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Great Waters has been located in the Historic Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul since 1997. They offer up to nine hand-crafted beers on tap, including four cask-conditioned ales. Food offered includes beer pretzels, rasta wings, and the reuben sandwich. Their patio, on the pedestrian plaza, is open year round and is a must-visit during the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Growlers are available. Hours: Daily 11am-2am

Barley John's Brewpub

John Moore and wife, Laura Subak, founded this New Brighton brewpub in 2000. They feature four flagship beers as well as an additional 4-7 seasonal recipes at any given time. Brewpub fare includes habanero hummus, grilled pizzas, and standard sandwiches and burgers. They'll soon be the only brewery in Minnesota to install a solar array to provide solar energy to the facility. Growlers are available. Stop in for Cask Wednesdays where you can try special cask beers like their porter with peanut butter. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday: 11am-10pm

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

Ranked as one of the nation's best brewpubs, Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery has been situated in the West Bank's Seven Corners area since 1997. Pub fare includes Seward co-op beer brats, stuffed pretzels, burgers, and sliders. The brewery recently took home a silver medal during the Great American Beer Festival (the premier U.S. beer festival and competition). Growlers are available. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-1am Friday-Saturday: 11am-2am Sunday: 11am-Midnight

Herkimer Pub & Brewery

The Uptown brewpub has been around since 1999 and specializes in brewing German-style ales and lagers. It is typically a packed crowd during football games (Warning: Packer Bar) and is popular for happy hour. Notable food items include warm pub pretzel, burgers, chicken and waffles, and pretzel flatbreads. Hours: Daily from 10am–2am

Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub

Opened in late 2012, Northbound is the newcomer of the bunch. Located near the Blue Line's 38th Street Station, the brewpub has their own beer on tap (Light Rail Pale Ale, Smokehouse Porter) alongside rotating guest beers from local breweries. Eats include smoked white cheddar cheese curds, smoked salmon or whitefish dip, and well, lots of items smoked in-house. Growlers are available. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-1am Friday-Saturday 11am-2am

Chatterbox Pub

OK, so yes, this is technically NOT a brewpub, but it does have its own selection of micro-brewed drafts (brewed off-site) that are worth mentioning. There are three Twin Cities locations where you can try the Chit Chat White Ale while playing board games or relaxing on vintage couches while playing 8-bit Nintendo. Food items include a beer cheese fondue made with their own Chatterbox Speakeasy Lager, pizzas, and burgers. Hours: Vary by location.

Great Waters Restaurant And Brewing Co.

Great Waters has been located in the Historic Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul since 1997. They offer up to nine hand-crafted beers on tap, including four cask-conditioned ales. Food offered includes beer pretzels, rasta wings, and the reuben sandwich. Their patio, on the pedestrian plaza, is open year round and is a must-visit during the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Growlers are available. Hours: Daily 11am-2am

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