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The Essential Guide to Twin Cities Taprooms, May '14

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To say that the Twin Cities taproom scene has exploded over the past year would be an understatement. Since the Surly Bill was passed in 2011, making it legal for breweries to serve pints of their beer on-site, taprooms have steadily been opening all over the place with even more on deck. The list of taprooms has nearly doubled in the past year and it is time to update our list. So, in honor of Minnesota Craft Beer Week this week, we present to you our updated Essential Guide to Twin Cities Taprooms, to answers all of your questions about what's new, who's expanding, and what you can find at each location.

Did we miss any essential pieces of taproom knowledge? Let us know in the comments.


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

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ENKI Brewing

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Beer loving friends John Hayes and Dan Norton opened the taproom in June of 2013 on the shores of Steiger Lake in downtown Victoria. While Victoria is on the outskirts of the Twin Cites metro to say the least, it is becoming known as a cycling destination. Hungry? Check out the ENKI Express menu from the nearby Victoria House restaurant. They have a special menu featuring everything from ENKI Beer battered walleye to German Chocolate Cake to pair with brews including the Citric Journey pale ale. Growlers are available. Hours: Thursday-Friday: 4-10pm Saturday: noon-10pm.

Excelsior Brewing Co

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Visiting this warehouse brewery in Excelsior owned by John Klick, Jon Lewin, and Patrick Foss feels like hanging out in your friend's garage, in the best possible way. The taproom typically offers four beers on tap, like the Big Island Blond Ale and Bridge Jumper IPA. Pints are $5-6 and growlers are available for $10-15 plus a $5 deposit. Excelsior is currently expanding production and building out a bigger taproom. They've knocked down the walls in the adjacent space (formerly an auto shop and another storefront) to create a massive space to expand into. Food options are just a two-minute walk down Water Street, including Jake O'Connor's, Yumi's, and coming soon, Coalition Restaurant in the former Biella's space. Hours: Thursday-Fridays: 4-10pm Saturdays: noon-10pm.

Steel Toe Brewing

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Located west of Lake Calhoun in an industrial office park, this taproom offers minimal interior design with maximum beer drinking. Have a pint of Provider Ale or get a flight of four Steel Toe brews for $9. Choose from their 8 taps (4 mainstays, 4 rotating seasonal/limited) with pints running $4-5. Growlers are available for $11-13 plus an initial $5 deposit and often 750ml bottle of special beer like the Size 11 double IPA. Food trucks stop by on Fridays and Saturdays and an updated calendar can be found on their website. Hours: Wednesday-Thursday: 3pm-8pm Friday: 3pm-10pm Saturday: Noon-10pm

Surly Brewing Co

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The brewery that started it all with their firm support of the taproom bill, finally added a taproom to the existing brewery in the summer of 2013. Surly has a revolving menu of regular beers (Furious and Hell), seasonal beers, and special beers on tap and in cans (including BLAKKR). The taproom has outdoor seating and food trucks make an appearance each day that the taproom is open. The Surly destination brewery/taproom in Prospect Park is currently under construction and still planning on a 2015 opening. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 3-9pm Saturday: noon-9pm.

Boom Island Brewing Company

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Boom Island went from a brewery/sample room, to a fully functioning taproom when they moved up the street in early February of this year. The taproom seats 49 with an additional 23 seats on a back patio. Boom Island focuses on Belgian style beers including the citrus forward Thoprock IPA and Witness, a Belgian Witbier. Pints, growlers, and 750ml can be purchased out of the new taproom. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 4-9pm Saturday: 1-9pm.

Fulton Brewing Company

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Fulton opened its taproom back in March of 2012 and is currently expanding into a NE Mpls space with capacity for more production and its own bottling line. The taproom is just a 3-minute stroll from Target Field and opens 2 hours prior to most Twins home games. Expect to see four beers on tap, like the popular Sweet Child O' Vine IPA and Lonely Blond Ale. All pours are $5 and growlers are available for $13-18 plus a $5 deposit. Every Thursday, Fulton taps a different cask conditioned beer. The patio is open and seats about 80. Food trucks can be found most days at the taproom. Hours: Thursday: 3pm-10pm Friday: 3pm-10pm Saturday: Noon-10pm Twins Home games: opens 2 hrs prior to game time.

Dangerous Man Brewing Co

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The popular NE Mpls spot has been going strong since early 2013. There are typically six rotating beers available in pints, 10oz pours, and 2oz flight-sizes which make it easy to try them all, especially the signature Chocolate Milk Stout and the Matchbox Coffee Porter, made with coffee from the neighboring Northeast coffeeshop. Growlers are just barely available while supplies last and run around $13-18 plus a $5 deposit. Food can be brought in from nearby Element Pizza and Anchor Fish & Chips, or bring your favorite snacks from home. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 4pm-10pm Friday: 3pm-Midnight Saturday: Noon-Midnight

Indeed Brewing Company

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The NE Mpls taproom in the Solar Arts Building on cobble-stoned Quincy Street. Indeed is also keeping up with the great demand by doubling their capacity through expansion. At the taproom, there are typically four rotating taps, plus one or two cask beers, infusions, and beers on nitro like the Midnight Ryder black ale. Pours come in 10, 16, and 20oz sizes and range in price from $3.50-$5.50 depending on style of beer. In the last year, growlers have been made available for purchase. Food trucks typically stop by on Fridays and Saturday. Hours: Thursday: 3pm-11pm Friday: 3pm-11pm Saturday: Noon-11pm

612 Brew

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Located in the historic Broadway building in Northeast, 612's interior features exposed brick walls, an impressive mural, and a bar made with the reclaimed wood from a defunct bowling alley. 612 offers 4-6 beers on tap; get the four half-glass flight for $11 and decide what you like best, or try a pint of the popular Zero Hour American black ale for $5. Growlers are also available for $13-$15 with a $5 deposit on the glass. In the last yer, they've opened an outdoor patio, amphitheater, and rain garden. Food trucks stop by most Fridays and Saturdays. Hours: Wednesday: 4pm-10pm Thursday: 4pm-10pm Friday: 2:30pm-Midnight Saturday: Noon-Midnight

Sociable Cider Werks

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Located in NE Minneapolis, Sociable opened their doors at the end of 2013 and has been serving up pints of beer, cider, and grafs (mixtures of cider and beer) ever since including Freewheeler, a dry apple cider that is a fermented with a blend of Midwest apples, a touch of brewed cane sorghum, and hops. Food trucks stop by the taproom most days and the taproom has outdoor seating, featuring an outdoor bocce court, and live music. Hours: Thursday-Friday 4-10pm Saturday: noon-10pm.

Harriet Brewing

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Located in Longfellow, Harriet specializes in European style beers, particularly Belgian ales and German lagers, with four taps on constant rotation in the taproom. Growlers are available for $12-16 depending on the style of beer, plus a $5 deposit. On nice days, a garage door opens to extended seating on a small patio. Check Harriet's website for frequent music acts and to see what food trucks will be on site. Hours: Wednesday: 4pm-11pm Thursday: 4pm-11pm Friday: 4pm-midnight Saturday: 1pm-midnight.

Bang Brewing Company

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The 1,300 square foot grain bin taproom from husband-and-wife owners Sandy and Jay Boss Febbo opened in St. Paul's central corridor in September of 2013. Bang offers pints and growlers of Neat, their flagship pale ale, Minn (an amber ale), and a Nice (a dark ale). Bang is dedicated to organic ingredients and their beers are crafted without filtering or the use of finings--substances that are usually added at or near the completion of the processing of brewing. Food? Foxy Falafel now delivers to the bin. Hours: Fridays 5-10pm Saturdays: noon-5pm.

Burning Brothers Brewing

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St. Paul's Burning Brothers Brewery opened their taproom just last month on the central corridor. The brewery is the only dedicated gluten-free brewery in the Midwest and focuses solely on gluten free beer. Pyro, an American Pale Ale, is their flagship beer and always on tap at the brewery. Hours: Thursday-Friday: 4-9pm Saturday: noon-5 pm.

Summit Brewing Company

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The granddaddy of local breweries, Summit has expanded their taproom hours to both Fridays and Saturday. Expect to see ten taps available, plus specials like Meridian Session Ale with El Dorado Hops. Each week Summit also has some cask-conditioned and specialty beers crafted in the brewery’s "pilot system". Try a flight for $7, a pint for $4, or add $3 more and keep the glass. The last Friday of every month, you can also try your hand at bar trivia from 6-8pm. Check out Summit’s website to see which specialty beer and food truck are paired each week. Hours: Friday and Saturday: 3pm-8pm.

Hammerheart Brewing

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HammerHeart Brewing Company is a brewery in Lino Lakes, Minnesota that opened to the public in August of 2013. The brewery is built in the honor and recognition of the old Nordic and Celtic cultures. Many of their beers feature smoked malts like the Surtr's Flame, a smoked IPA, or Olaf the Stout, an oaked rye stout. Growlers are available at the taproom. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 2-10pm.

Big Wood Brewing

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The downtown White Bear Lake taproom opened in early February bringing all sorts of double entendre brews to the suburb. One such beer is the award-winning Morning Wood Coffee Stout. The taproom features reclaimed wood, rustic tables, and light fixtures made from other Minnesota brewery growlers. Looking to eat? There are many nearby restaurants in downtown White Bear. The taproom sells growlers and offers tours. Hours: Thursday-Friday: 3-11pm Saturday: 1-11pm.

Lift Bridge Brewing Company

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Following the signing of the Surly Bill, Lift Bridge was the first brewery in Minnesota to open its taproom. Expect 6-7 beers on tap, including four year-round beers like the flagship Farm Girl Saison. Pours are $4, flights are $6-9, and growlers and bombers are available for $11-15 fills plus a $5 deposit. Snack on free fresh popcorn or hit up whichever food truck stops by. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 5pm-8pm Friday: Noon-8pm Saturday: Noon-5pm

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ENKI Brewing

Beer loving friends John Hayes and Dan Norton opened the taproom in June of 2013 on the shores of Steiger Lake in downtown Victoria. While Victoria is on the outskirts of the Twin Cites metro to say the least, it is becoming known as a cycling destination. Hungry? Check out the ENKI Express menu from the nearby Victoria House restaurant. They have a special menu featuring everything from ENKI Beer battered walleye to German Chocolate Cake to pair with brews including the Citric Journey pale ale. Growlers are available. Hours: Thursday-Friday: 4-10pm Saturday: noon-10pm.

Excelsior Brewing Co

Visiting this warehouse brewery in Excelsior owned by John Klick, Jon Lewin, and Patrick Foss feels like hanging out in your friend's garage, in the best possible way. The taproom typically offers four beers on tap, like the Big Island Blond Ale and Bridge Jumper IPA. Pints are $5-6 and growlers are available for $10-15 plus a $5 deposit. Excelsior is currently expanding production and building out a bigger taproom. They've knocked down the walls in the adjacent space (formerly an auto shop and another storefront) to create a massive space to expand into. Food options are just a two-minute walk down Water Street, including Jake O'Connor's, Yumi's, and coming soon, Coalition Restaurant in the former Biella's space. Hours: Thursday-Fridays: 4-10pm Saturdays: noon-10pm.

Steel Toe Brewing

Located west of Lake Calhoun in an industrial office park, this taproom offers minimal interior design with maximum beer drinking. Have a pint of Provider Ale or get a flight of four Steel Toe brews for $9. Choose from their 8 taps (4 mainstays, 4 rotating seasonal/limited) with pints running $4-5. Growlers are available for $11-13 plus an initial $5 deposit and often 750ml bottle of special beer like the Size 11 double IPA. Food trucks stop by on Fridays and Saturdays and an updated calendar can be found on their website. Hours: Wednesday-Thursday: 3pm-8pm Friday: 3pm-10pm Saturday: Noon-10pm

Surly Brewing Co

The brewery that started it all with their firm support of the taproom bill, finally added a taproom to the existing brewery in the summer of 2013. Surly has a revolving menu of regular beers (Furious and Hell), seasonal beers, and special beers on tap and in cans (including BLAKKR). The taproom has outdoor seating and food trucks make an appearance each day that the taproom is open. The Surly destination brewery/taproom in Prospect Park is currently under construction and still planning on a 2015 opening. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 3-9pm Saturday: noon-9pm.

Boom Island Brewing Company

Boom Island went from a brewery/sample room, to a fully functioning taproom when they moved up the street in early February of this year. The taproom seats 49 with an additional 23 seats on a back patio. Boom Island focuses on Belgian style beers including the citrus forward Thoprock IPA and Witness, a Belgian Witbier. Pints, growlers, and 750ml can be purchased out of the new taproom. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 4-9pm Saturday: 1-9pm.

Fulton Brewing Company

Fulton opened its taproom back in March of 2012 and is currently expanding into a NE Mpls space with capacity for more production and its own bottling line. The taproom is just a 3-minute stroll from Target Field and opens 2 hours prior to most Twins home games. Expect to see four beers on tap, like the popular Sweet Child O' Vine IPA and Lonely Blond Ale. All pours are $5 and growlers are available for $13-18 plus a $5 deposit. Every Thursday, Fulton taps a different cask conditioned beer. The patio is open and seats about 80. Food trucks can be found most days at the taproom. Hours: Thursday: 3pm-10pm Friday: 3pm-10pm Saturday: Noon-10pm Twins Home games: opens 2 hrs prior to game time.

Dangerous Man Brewing Co

The popular NE Mpls spot has been going strong since early 2013. There are typically six rotating beers available in pints, 10oz pours, and 2oz flight-sizes which make it easy to try them all, especially the signature Chocolate Milk Stout and the Matchbox Coffee Porter, made with coffee from the neighboring Northeast coffeeshop. Growlers are just barely available while supplies last and run around $13-18 plus a $5 deposit. Food can be brought in from nearby Element Pizza and Anchor Fish & Chips, or bring your favorite snacks from home. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 4pm-10pm Friday: 3pm-Midnight Saturday: Noon-Midnight

Indeed Brewing Company

The NE Mpls taproom in the Solar Arts Building on cobble-stoned Quincy Street. Indeed is also keeping up with the great demand by doubling their capacity through expansion. At the taproom, there are typically four rotating taps, plus one or two cask beers, infusions, and beers on nitro like the Midnight Ryder black ale. Pours come in 10, 16, and 20oz sizes and range in price from $3.50-$5.50 depending on style of beer. In the last year, growlers have been made available for purchase. Food trucks typically stop by on Fridays and Saturday. Hours: Thursday: 3pm-11pm Friday: 3pm-11pm Saturday: Noon-11pm

612 Brew

Located in the historic Broadway building in Northeast, 612's interior features exposed brick walls, an impressive mural, and a bar made with the reclaimed wood from a defunct bowling alley. 612 offers 4-6 beers on tap; get the four half-glass flight for $11 and decide what you like best, or try a pint of the popular Zero Hour American black ale for $5. Growlers are also available for $13-$15 with a $5 deposit on the glass. In the last yer, they've opened an outdoor patio, amphitheater, and rain garden. Food trucks stop by most Fridays and Saturdays. Hours: Wednesday: 4pm-10pm Thursday: 4pm-10pm Friday: 2:30pm-Midnight Saturday: Noon-Midnight

Sociable Cider Werks

Located in NE Minneapolis, Sociable opened their doors at the end of 2013 and has been serving up pints of beer, cider, and grafs (mixtures of cider and beer) ever since including Freewheeler, a dry apple cider that is a fermented with a blend of Midwest apples, a touch of brewed cane sorghum, and hops. Food trucks stop by the taproom most days and the taproom has outdoor seating, featuring an outdoor bocce court, and live music. Hours: Thursday-Friday 4-10pm Saturday: noon-10pm.

Harriet Brewing

Located in Longfellow, Harriet specializes in European style beers, particularly Belgian ales and German lagers, with four taps on constant rotation in the taproom. Growlers are available for $12-16 depending on the style of beer, plus a $5 deposit. On nice days, a garage door opens to extended seating on a small patio. Check Harriet's website for frequent music acts and to see what food trucks will be on site. Hours: Wednesday: 4pm-11pm Thursday: 4pm-11pm Friday: 4pm-midnight Saturday: 1pm-midnight.

Bang Brewing Company

The 1,300 square foot grain bin taproom from husband-and-wife owners Sandy and Jay Boss Febbo opened in St. Paul's central corridor in September of 2013. Bang offers pints and growlers of Neat, their flagship pale ale, Minn (an amber ale), and a Nice (a dark ale). Bang is dedicated to organic ingredients and their beers are crafted without filtering or the use of finings--substances that are usually added at or near the completion of the processing of brewing. Food? Foxy Falafel now delivers to the bin. Hours: Fridays 5-10pm Saturdays: noon-5pm.

Burning Brothers Brewing

St. Paul's Burning Brothers Brewery opened their taproom just last month on the central corridor. The brewery is the only dedicated gluten-free brewery in the Midwest and focuses solely on gluten free beer. Pyro, an American Pale Ale, is their flagship beer and always on tap at the brewery. Hours: Thursday-Friday: 4-9pm Saturday: noon-5 pm.

Summit Brewing Company

The granddaddy of local breweries, Summit has expanded their taproom hours to both Fridays and Saturday. Expect to see ten taps available, plus specials like Meridian Session Ale with El Dorado Hops. Each week Summit also has some cask-conditioned and specialty beers crafted in the brewery’s "pilot system". Try a flight for $7, a pint for $4, or add $3 more and keep the glass. The last Friday of every month, you can also try your hand at bar trivia from 6-8pm. Check out Summit’s website to see which specialty beer and food truck are paired each week. Hours: Friday and Saturday: 3pm-8pm.

Hammerheart Brewing

HammerHeart Brewing Company is a brewery in Lino Lakes, Minnesota that opened to the public in August of 2013. The brewery is built in the honor and recognition of the old Nordic and Celtic cultures. Many of their beers feature smoked malts like the Surtr's Flame, a smoked IPA, or Olaf the Stout, an oaked rye stout. Growlers are available at the taproom. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 2-10pm.

Related Maps

Big Wood Brewing

The downtown White Bear Lake taproom opened in early February bringing all sorts of double entendre brews to the suburb. One such beer is the award-winning Morning Wood Coffee Stout. The taproom features reclaimed wood, rustic tables, and light fixtures made from other Minnesota brewery growlers. Looking to eat? There are many nearby restaurants in downtown White Bear. The taproom sells growlers and offers tours. Hours: Thursday-Friday: 3-11pm Saturday: 1-11pm.

Lift Bridge Brewing Company

Following the signing of the Surly Bill, Lift Bridge was the first brewery in Minnesota to open its taproom. Expect 6-7 beers on tap, including four year-round beers like the flagship Farm Girl Saison. Pours are $4, flights are $6-9, and growlers and bombers are available for $11-15 fills plus a $5 deposit. Snack on free fresh popcorn or hit up whichever food truck stops by. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 5pm-8pm Friday: Noon-8pm Saturday: Noon-5pm

Related Maps