Greater Minnesota's Best Craft Breweries
Minnesota is home to some of the best craft breweries in the country, putting it on par with industry leaders like California, Oregon and Colorado. Many of them can be found around Minneapolis-St. Paul, but Minnesota’s love for well-made beer extends well beyond the metro area.
Whether you’re hiking the North Country Trail near Walker, or savoring a kolacky in Montgomery, here are some of the best breweries to visit in Greater Minnesota.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Duluth
Bent Paddle’s beer is a staple throughout the state, and their taproom — located in a beautiful red brick building that was once a furniture warehouse — has plenty of indoor and outdoor space to relax in. Whether you’re fresh off a ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad, or a walk along the Duluth Lakewalk, Bent Paddle’s warm and inviting taproom is the perfect place to enjoy their classic Venture Pils and Bent Hop IPA, or one of their multiple taproom-exclusive “pilot” beers.
Big Axe Brewing Company
Nisswa
Relaxed, welcoming, and right off the Paul Bunyan State Trail, Big Axe Brewing makes it easy to while away an afternoon with a pint and hearty meal. Whether you’re biking, hiking, or just wandering through Nisswa’s charming downtown, Big Axe’s laid-back taproom — with a unique “stacked timber” wall motif, and a food menu full of upper-Midwest classics — is the perfect spot to recharge. Big Axe also hosts monthly four-course beer dinners. Stop in and grab a Vapor Lake Hazy IPA, or an award-winning Coffee Toffee Blonde, and pair it with a plate of cheese curds.
Blacklist Brewing Co.
Duluth
Blacklist Brewing’s taproom is a stylish, modern and vibrant spot in downtown Duluth. Known for their Or De Belgique “ODB” Golden Ale, and a variety of innovative riffs on common craft-beer styles, Blacklist is one of only a couple Minnesota breweries to boast axe throwing on-site.
That said, the possibilities for entertainment at Blacklist’s taproom are varied enough for everyone to find something to do, even if you’re just staking out a quiet corner for a board game with friends. It's also a great start (or finish) to a night exploring Canal Park and its many local shops (Duluth Trading Company is just up the street) and live music venues.
Castle Danger Brewery
Two Harbors
Located in downtown Two Harbors, with plenty of outdoor space overlooking Lake Superior, Castle Danger’s friendly and approachable taproom almost rivals its sterling reputation for great beer. Its Castle Cream Ale is a standard in bars and refrigerators statewide, and the trip to Two Harbors is worth it for the opportunity to enjoy one on Lake Superior alone. All their beer is made with its fresh water, ranging in flavor from the robust and highly aromatic George Hunter Stout to the snappy and smooth Lager Royale.
Nearby Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse sweeten the deal considerably; it would be a mistake not to visit them as well.
Forager Brewery
Rochester
Part brewery, coffee shop and restaurant, Forager is a destination-worthy brewery northwest of downtown Rochester. With food and beverages that highlight local ingredients, and an eclectic and vibrant space, Forager’s casual and family-friendly vibe ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re in the area for a Mayo Clinic appointment and looking for something new or just looking for a fun place to enjoy a Witbier and a wood-fired pizza, Forager has you covered with room to spare.
Giesenbräu Bier Co.
New Prague
Just a quick jaunt over from Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, Giesenbräu (pronounced “ghee-sen-broy”) is a German-inspired brewery with a casual, friendly taproom that opened in New Prague in 2017. Giesenbräu brews classic German styles like their Hildy’s Helles (a Munich Lager), which won 1st Place for Pale Lager at the Minnesota Brewers Cup in 2023.
They also brew classic craft beer staples with a German twist. Bavarian Gangsta is their award-winning “German IPA” with all German hops. Or, swing by during New Prague’s Dožínky Festival to celebrate the harvest with their crisp and refreshing Dožínky Pils.
Klockow Brewing Company
Grand Rapids
Klockow Brewing in Grand Rapids is an ambitious brewery run by husband-and-wife team Andy and Tasha Klockow. Together, they are constantly churning out delicious new beers. Winners of the gold medal for their BHK - Nut Brown Ale in the Ambers, Browns, & Pale Ales category, and a silver medal for their Lundr's Lager - Rauchbier in the Amber Lager category at the 2025 MN Brewers Cup Awards, you can be confident that no matter when you visit, you’ll find something special on tap.
Their open, industrial-meets-Northwoods taproom (with a mural to match!) is the perfect stop after exploring some of the over 100 miles of local hiking trails, or a quick dip at one of the local beaches.
Little Thistle Brewing Co.
Rochester
Little Thistle started with the goal of providing space for people to come together. Community-building remains a hallmark of the brewery; various group gather there throughout the week. Little Thistle’s large beer garden is also located east of the Douglas State Trail and north of the Cascade Lake Loop, making it the perfect stop after an outdoor adventure.
The taproom’s easy-going vibe and lineup of beers, ranging from clean lagers to hazy IPAs — along with the ability to bring in or have food delivered from nearby — makes Little Thistle a welcome space for any occasion.
Montgomery Brewing
Montgomery
Originally founded in the 1800s and closed in 1942, Montgomery Brewing is a major part of Minnesota’s rich brewing tradition. Charles Dorsey reopened it in 2015, making it the first and only 100% Black-owned brewery in Minnesota.
Montgomery Brewing offers everything from light lagers to peanut butter porters, with plenty of IPAs in-between. Montgomery, Minnesota, is the "Kolacky Capital of the World," and you can swing by local landmark Franke’s Bakery for kolacky before stopping in at Montgomery Brewing’s cozy taproom for some refreshments.
Portage Brewing Company
Walker
Just inside the Chippewa National Forest and a stone’s throw from Leech Lake, Portage Brewing is a destination brewery for outdoor and beer enthusiasts. Perhaps the only Minnesota brewery to provide directions on where to dock your boat, Portage is a truly unique experience.
Hop off the Heartland State Trail or finish a hike on the North Country Trail before settling into Portage’s modern, warm and bright taproom. (A canoe is suspended from the ceiling, so you know it’s got to be good.) Many of their beers are Minnesota must-tries, especially Chatter Chatter — an impeccable Czech Pilsner — and their Pine Line West Coast IPA.
Schell's Brewery
New Ulm
August Schell Brewing Company — better known as Schell's Brewery, or simply “Schell’s” — is Minnesota’s oldest brewery, and the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. Located in New Ulm, and steeped in the city's German heritage, Schell’s is a must-visit in the Southern part of the state.
Schell’s helped kick off Minnesota’s craft beer movement by brewing a Hefeweizen in 1984 — potentially the first wheat beer brewed in the United States since Prohibition. Known for producing a variety of classic German-inspired beers, Schell’s is the perfect place to celebrate Bock Fest or Oktoberfest, and a great way to experience New Ulm’s German roots firsthand.
Alternatively, take a stroll through nearby Flandrau State Park, and grab a refreshing Deer Brand (Pre-Prohibition Lager) or Schell’s Firebrick (Vienna Lager) to cool off.
Talking Waters Brewing Co.
Montevideo
Talking Waters’ cozy small-town taproom in downtown Montevideo serves up delicious beer, including the light and refreshing MN Nice “Adventure Lager” — the perfect beer after canoeing or camping in nearby Lagoon Park. Or take some time to visit Chippewa City Historical Park and the Swensson Farm Museum to get to know the history of southwestern Minnesota.
Thesis Beer Project
Rochester
Not far from downtown Rochester, and close to Cascade Lake, Thesis Beer Project has a sleek, modern taproom with clean design — making for a both cozy and airy space. With regular live music and a constantly rotating tap list, it's a great place to grab a pint after a day exploring everything Rochester has to offer. Grab a Thesis Pieces (a Blonde Ale with peanut butter) and enjoy the music.
Ursa Minor Brewing
Duluth
Ursa Minor Brewing is just a short walk from the Duluth Children’s Museum and offers up world class beer and wood-fired pizza. Their approachable, creative beers — including their award-winning Irish Red (Equanimity), and year-round hazy IPA (Galactic Face Slap) — are available across Minnesota, but even better in-person. Their covered outdoor patio is the perfect place to spend a mild summer evening in Duluth, and their combination rustic-industrial interior is the perfect antidote to a grey winter day.
Voyageur Brewing Company
Grand Marais
Voyageur Brewing’s taproom has a rooftop patio overlooking Grand Marais Harbor and spacious indoor seating that hits the woodsy “modern cabin” vibe spot-on. It’s a solid stop on the way to or from the Boundary Waters, or after a trip along the Gunflint Trail, and encapsulates what the North Shore has to offer.
Grand Marais is one of Minnesota’s most picturesque harbor towns, and there’s no better way to take it in than with a Devil’s Kettle IPA or Boundary Waters Brunette in hand. Whether you’re coming off an expedition up north, or just wandering through Grand Marais’ art galleries, Voyageur Brewing is the perfect place to unwind.
