The Twin Cities has brewed a craft beer empire unlike any other. Travel and Leisure named Minneapolis-St. Paul the third best area for beer lovers. But more than the beer, I believe everyone should be able to experience the breweries in this thriving area because of its unique community.
Here’s where to start. The well-knowns, Surly, Summit and Fulton, are three breweries that you can’t miss when you visit the Twin Cities. For the best entertainment, I look to Lakes and Legends in Loring Park, complete with board games, cornhole and live music by local bands. One of my favorite places to take on friends and strangers in shuffleboard is Sisyphus Brewing. If you’re looking to highlight the best atmosphere, Bauhaus Brew Labs’ outdoor patio, cozy taproom and fun events win in my book. Unique breweries live here too. If you’re looking for something different, try a cider at Sociable Cider Werks.
These breweries are more than just businesses serving you alcohol. They are puzzle pieces making up our “Minnesota nice” slogan and welcoming communities of the unique taste of The North. Breweries like Finnegans even make being “nice” easy by donating 100% of their profits to Minnesota charities. Fair State Brewing Cooperative gives you the opportunity to own a share of the company, attend membership happy hours, earn rewards and refunds, and get first dibs on new brews. And if you think my list is over – you’re wrong. Tons of taprooms and brewing facilities live across our state, with a new space always popping up.
Why Minnesota? I believe it’s because we take community much more seriously here in The North. It’s not just a word we use to describe our neighborhoods or groups of people. We use it to bring people together – in craft breweries and elsewhere – to make people feel like they are a part of something and give them the opportunity to experience something unique.
Because that’s what who we are in The North – we’re nice. We give back. We make people feel welcome. While some places are known for landmarks or celebrities, we’re more well-known for the community we build, and we seem to build it well with craft beer.
This post was originally published on Near North Co.’s journal.
Rachel Enerson 