Clockwerks Brewing

 

 

 

This is downtown and next to a police substation. Parking is tough and you may have to walk a couple of blocks but the trek is worth it. They specialize in session beers and create an atmosphere where you bring friends and hang out all night. If you go in alone you have a good chance of meeting new friends.

 

 

This was a new to me stop during my last visit to Minneapolis.

I liked the reuse of an older building. As you enter the brewing equipment is to your left by the front windows and then runs along that eastern wall. The long bar is also to your left and to your right is lots of seating areas. There is a pool table in section near the back.

The décor is cool. Not sure who their decorator was but they did a good job. Lots of old industrial stuff like gears, cogs, etc. I also liked the cool bar stools, etc. It is an attractive an airy space.

We had two different servers. The first was very friendly and was quick the recommendations. The second one, well let’s just say she seemed to want to get back to her conversation at the other end of the bar.

Both us liked the beers we had. I thought the Rye Pilsner was the best of the bunch and that the Rye added a nice twist to the style. They had 5 or 6 house brews and one guest tap that I can recall.

I would have no problem returning for a visit, just hope I get the first bartender!

Surprisingly sleepy on a Friday evening. Seems like an off time. Quality was mixed - inconsistent from one to the other. Good service, possibly because the place was so quiet. Server actually brought out 2 samples of beers that had just gone on tap! They blew the kegs on 3 of their 7 beers on Thursday before we were there, so selection was limited (although another came back while we were there).

they are still pretty new in here, but they have a great thing going. a cool old building with a very minimalist vibe inside, even sort of a steampunk theme happening, mellow lighting, some really neat artwork, a long beautiful copper bar with the brew house right there to observe, apparently fermenting in the basement, solid service, and beer that seems on the way to being very good. i only had time for a couple, but enjoyed the rye pils and the belgian wit, while being somewhat less impressed with a baltic porter they made. i think in a space this cool, and centrally located, that pretty good beer will probably be enough to have a successful business, especially since they have fairly regular live entertainment, and i think their beer, while lacking an amazement factor, was all very serviceable. they have some billiards in the back, a number of different relax seating zones, and have overall done an incredible job with the buildout here, its a place you just want to be in, i really dug it. service was friendly and relatively knowledgeable, and other patrons were all having a great time, good energy here. definitely a really cool place to check out when you are in town, and i would be surprised if the beer didnt improve as they continue to settle in!

 

Good beer. Short on dark stuff, but that's fine for my palate. American IPA and rye are very nice.