A Brewed in Minnesota Supplement

Beer Hunter's Guide to Minnesota

This Guide, while still in the process of construction, should prove helpful to those interested in enjoying Minnesota's fine collection of beers. In the interest of space, it will be restricted to those beers that cannot be found nationally. (An abbreviated listing is included for the major breweries.)


This just in. . . Summit announces that their IPA will now be available year-round!

(Sorry for the editorializing, but. . . Woo-Hooo!)



August Schell Brewing Company

New Ulm, MN 56073

The third oldest operating brewery in the United States, Schell's is available throughout the Upper Midwest, as well as certain national locations.

The brewery is open for tours during the summer (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day) at 3:00 and 4:00pm weekdays, and at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm Saturdays and Sundays. The rest of the year, they only run tours by appointment for groups of 20 or more.

(Schell's also produces beer under contract for the St. Croix Beer Company)


Clubhaus Brew Pub


Cold Spring Brewing Company

219 Red River Ave. N.
Cold Spring, MN 56320

Cold Spring produces many styles of beer that are available nationally, including Cold Spring, Cold Spring Light, Export Lager, and a Pale Ale. They also make several contract-brews.

Unfortunately, the brewery does not conduct tours.


James Page Brewing Company

1300 Quincy St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55412

James Page opened his doors in the summer of 1986. He offers two main beers with the occasional seasonal beer. Tours run the first Saturday of every month, at 1:00pm. There is also a fine selection of homebrewing equipment and ingredients available at the brewery.


Lake Superior Brewing Company

600 East Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802

In November, 1994, the Lake Superior Brewing Company began production of Lake Superior Special Ale. This ended twenty-two long years that Duluth was without a beer it could call its own.


Minnesota Brewing Company

882 7th St. W.
St. Paul, MN 55102

Housed in what was once the Jacob Schmidt Brewery, the Minnesota Brewing Company produces a multitude of beers, including Landmark, Pig's Eye and Grain Belt Premium. Several contract-brews are also made here, including Pete's Wicked Ale and Beartooth Lager.

The brewery is open for tours Monday through Friday at 10:00am and 1:00pm. The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.


Rock Bottom Brewery

825 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403

The Rock Bottom Brewery opened in December of 1993, and is part of a national chain based out of Colorado. It features a full restaurant with neo-rustic decor and standard fare. The bar area is large, replete with eight-foot slate pool tables.

Rock Bottom also features specialty beers that vary from season to season.


St. Croix Beer Company

1051 Quixote Ave. N.
Lakeland, MN 55043

Shannon Kelly's

395 Wabasha
St. Paul, MN 55102

The newest addition to the Twin Cities' brew scene is located in an old bank building dating back to the 1930s, in the middle of downtown St. Paul. Jamie McGovern opened a bar and restaurant at the location in 1990, and added a brewery in October of 1994. They have four beers always available on tap, as well as seasonal specialties. The food is good and Jamie is always happy to show people around the small brew house.


Sherlock's Home

11000 Red Circle Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343

Wander into 19th-century London and enjoy a hand-pulled ale! Sherlock's Home is a re-creation of a Victorian-era dining room and pub. Watson's Pub features a thirteen-foot-tall hand-carved mahogany back bar that is an exact replica of the one that sat in London's Dover Castle Hotel that was destroyed during World War II. The pub and the adjacent Simpson's Dining Room offer traditional English and Scottish fare for lunch or dinner, as well as a fine selection of ales and lagers. (For the single-malt scotch connessuer, Sherlock's Home offers more than 80 brands--one of the most extensive collections in America!)

Hand-Pulled Ales (cask conditioned, served at 52° F)

Export Style Beers (served at 38° F) Seasonal Specialties Sherlock's Home opens at 11am Monday through Saturaday, and at 4pm on Sunday. Tours are generally available on Saturday afternoons between 1pm and 4pm, by reservation. Special group tours can also be arranged.


Stroh Brewing Co.

707 Minnehaha Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106

This is just one of several nationwide breweries operated by Stroh's, which produces Old Milwaukee, Schlitz, Schaeffer, and of course, Stroh's beers. They do not conduct tours, but the building itself is rather impressive.


Summit Brewing Co.

2264 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55114

Mark Stutrud opened this small brewery in 1986. It has since expanded and is one of the most respected breweries in the Midwest. Summit produces three year-round brews and four seasonal features, and is open for tours at 1:00pm every Saturday. (It's a good idea to call ahead of time.)


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Special thanks to all the breweries and brewpubs that provided crucial information for this Guide!

This Guide has been compiled by Mike Edwards. If you find it useful, let me know! If you have any ideas, suggestions or news about new breweries, let me know that too!

beer@historyontheweb.org