The Drinker's Guide to the Best Minnesota Beers
Many know Minnesota as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but beer enthusiasts know it as the Land of 10,000 Brews. Whether it's a lil lakeside lager or a refresher after a curd burger, it's no secret that Minnesotans love their beer.
We've put together the only guide you'll ever need on the best Minnesota beers and where to find them.
Why Is Minnesota Known for Beer?
Minnesota is known for its quality beer production, which started way back in 1850 with the John Orth Brewery. Since then, creative brews have sprung up across the state.
Brewing runs in the veins of Minnesotans, with more than 200 craft breweries statewide offering unique twists on craft beers. Minnesota has remained committed to maintaining high standards for beer production and consistently produces some of the most popular and creative brews.
We would go so far as to say beer is Minnesota's love language. Us Minnesotans love it so much that Governor Tim Walz proclaimed a state-recognized holiday known as Beer Day, on which we celebrate the history and culture of beer.
What Are the Popular Beer Styles in Minnesota?
Minnesota has so many mouthwatering beer styles that even Homer Simpson would put on his running shoes and sprint to the nearest pub!
If you're curious to know Minnesota's No. 1 selling beer, according to a 2022 study , it's Budweiser. But every Minnesotan knows that the only person bringing a Budweiser to the party is carrying it as a backup in case there's no Busch Light or Michelob Golden Light. These two beers are the holy grail. Nothing, absolutely nothing, comes close to their smooth, slightly bitter flavor.
Types of Beer You'll Find on Every Menu
Minnesota restaurant menus feature classic brews that'll knock your socks off. Here are some of the best types of brews you can indulge in:
- Lager: This pale, light-bodied beer offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a clean, crisp finish. If you want the best beer in Minnesota that gives you a kick without the bitterness, you can't go wrong with a classic lager and its subtle malt and hop flavors.
- Pale ale: Craft brewers' answer to machine-made industrial lagers is the pale ale, which is cleaner and lighter. These are the caramel of beers, offering balanced malt and hop aromas, a golden hue, and a rich, creamy flavor.
- Stout: Stouts are the black coffee of American beers, recognized for their dark color and thick, creamy head. However, the dark malt infuses the beer with more than just bitter, roasted coffee flavors and aromas — it also adds sweet, dark chocolate notes.
- India pale ale (IPA): IPAs are the equivalent of adding some "seasoning" to the barrel. They feature a stronger hop flavor, resulting in floral, fruity, and earthy notes. One of the best beers in Minnesota is an IPA that delivers a dry, quenching sip of orange, pine, and grapefruit flavors.
- Wheat beer: Wheat beer's flourlike flavors and hazy appearance captivate enthusiasts with its smooth drinkability and mild malty flavor. Minnesotans love wheat beer for its moreish, refreshing flavor and its thick, foamy head.
- Sours: These drinks have an intentionally acidic taste. The best sour beers in Minnesota are tart and pack quite the punch.
If you want to know where to buy unique beers in Minnesota, check out the Minnesota State Fair. They have specialty beverages that change yearly, with exciting flavors like Blueberry Pancake Lager.
Seasonal Beer Highlights
With each turn of the season, Minnesotans look for a flavor that pairs perfectly with the weather and vibe. So, praise be to the brewers who had the foresight to craft beers that are just right. If you're looking for the best craft beer in Minnesota for summer, fall, winter, and spring, then these brews, loved by Minnesotans far and wide, are just what you need:
- Summer — Belgian white: As the warm glow of the summer sun intensifies, nothing quenches your thirst quite like a zesty ale — and the king in this category is the award-winning Shock Top Belgian White beer. This brew refreshes with every sip. Citrus notes cascade down your parched gullet with a subtle, spicy finish.
- Fall — Bemidji Autumn IPA: Embrace the cozy fall weather with Bemidji Brewing's fruity Autumn IPA. Savor the berry and citrus notes on your tongue and indulge in the piney, evergreen aromas reminiscent of a forest walk in the fall.
- Winter — North Tower stout: Warm up your snowy winter days with Earth Rider's rich and warming North Tower stout. This thick, mocha-like ale features bitter notes of coffee with sweet, malty hints of chocolate and dark fruit.
- Spring — Pseudo Sue: Match the blooming of spring with the sweet-and-sour, fruity explosions of Toppling Goliath's Pseudo Sue. This pale ale showcases citrus and evergreen flavors with a mild bitter finish, giving it the bite to get you to bloom.
IPA Favorites in Minnesota
The best IPA in Minnesota is the Bemidji IPA by Bemidji Brewing. It's a true Minnesota favorite.
The Bemidji IPA brings that crisp, clean malt of a classic West Coast IPA with glorious fruity grapefruit and orange notes and a dry, quenching finish. The fruity notes add a delightful tropical twist. The 50 International Bitterness Units give it a balanced bitter flavor that'll certainly make you scrunch your face and smack your lips after each sip — Ahh!
Most popular Minnesota beer brands create IPA varieties. IPAs were first made as a way to preserve beer, but modern beer connoisseurs consider IPAs an art form. Some say the Mona Lisa's beauty was inspired by IPA. OK. Fine. Nobody said that. But it makes sense if you think about it. IPA is so mysterious. With all the varieties, it's hard to tell what kind of flavor you'll get until you take that first beautiful sip.
Come to Bar 209 for the Best Beer in Minnesota
Now that you've read through Minnesota's Best Beer Guide, it's time to head to the top place to drink them — Bar 209. You want the best beer? We've got it.
We have beers so good they'd reawaken the great Paul Bunyan. At Bar 209, you can find the bestselling beer in Minnesota, and we're certain of that.
Are you an IPA fanatic? We've got strong, bitter, refreshing IPAs that'll make you hop — pun intended. Are you thirstier than a saltwater fish? We've got Magnum-sized beers perfect for drinking alongside a big burger.
We also offer some of the best specials in Minnesota — so much so that we were voted Best Happy Hour in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. Whether you're after something spicy to go with your ale on Taco Tuesday or fried pickle chips to enjoy with a stout, our menu has it all.
Stop by Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for our happy hour drinks specials . Enjoy half-priced appetizers AND half-price beers. Eat, drink, and be merry in Bemidji!
