Surly Questions

Went to Fair State Coop on the recommendation of a fellow BAer. What an awesome spot. I asked if outside bottles were allowed. I was told that it's something that's allowed in moderation (and I suspect in the discretion of whomever may be working); that they love supporting other craft breweries, but that they obviously want people to come to drink their beer. And damn good beer it is. I was glad to be able to share the Cycle BA JBM stout with the bartenders and other customers.

I gather that they're probably not going to be cool with large groups showing up to have bottle shares--a position that is totally understandable. However, if any out-of-towners like me read this in the future and want to bring a cool bottle by from their neck of the woods just to share with others, seems like they won't call the cops on you (hell, they might even comp you a beer).

 

Thanks for sharing this on Saturday! What else did you end up hitting on your trip?

 

Hey! Small world! Glad someone can verify I wasn't b.s.ing about sharing that Cycle!

We hit up Surly and it was great. Awesome food, fresh Todd and other tasty brews and such a cool outdoor space. (I was told no outside bottles there by our server).

 

Thanks for the share.

 

Must be up to the establishment - the only one that I have seen allow it is Ansari's in Eagan. They don't charge a "corking" fee or anything but the bartender will get on you about ordering another beer from the menu if you have a few shared bottles in a row without ordering one.

 

Thanks for the share! A pour of the Heady Topper would've been nice too!

 

I just left that at the bar for them to share since I was leaving! We had to take off before our kids revolted, and I didn't want to push my luck by opening several things there (plus I was really enjoying their beers)! I will def bring more to share next visit.

 

Honestly, it was just a joke! Sharing the BA Coffee stout with those around the bar was generous enough!

 

Visiting Minnesota in October with my dad to see the Vikings!
Just did a little research and see that the Beer Hall Brewery in Minneapolis is the spot that's open to the public, which is great since it's closer to everything else of course. How's the food at Surly, only here for a weekend, and my dad and I plan to treat ourselves right. So if you think that it's worth going for a few beers but get food elsewhere, please say so.

Any other must hits when visiting Minneapolis/St. Paul? Haven't been since I was about 10 years old. We'll be staying in the downtown area or Northloop, both relatively close to the stadium.
Besides Surly, what other breweries are a must? Also, any must hit restaurants?

Please reply here or DM me if you prefer that.

Cheers BAs

 

The food at Surly is excellent, both in the main beer hall, and in the "Brewers Table," which is the upscale restaurant on the 2nd floor of the brewery. The Brewers Table is only open in the evening and probably requires a reservation -- it costs ~$70 pp, which gets you a four-course tasting menu with beer pairings. If you aren't feeling quite so fancy, the food in the main hall is a little more manageable for the wallet, and still quite good (plus you get to actually pick what beer you drink).

Other beer-centric spots I would recommend:
Near Downtown
Republic -- probably the best beer bar in Minneapolis. It's about a 1.5 mile walk from the stadium, otherwise you can get there via the Light Rail (Green Line) or a cheap uber.
Butcher and the Boar -- its on the opposite side of downtown from the stadium, but their beer garden has great food and a solid tap list.
Red Cow -- they have multiple locations, but there is one in the north loop if you are staying there. They have great burgers and an excellent tap list as well.

Breweries
Outside of Surly, Steel Toe is probably my favorite, but it won't be particularly close to where you are staying (maybe a $15-ish uber from downtown). Their flagship beers are very good, and they frequently have some other good stuff on (they have had a BA Scotch Ale on most of the summer, for example).

You can also head to Northeast MPLS, which is a short-uber from downtown, where there are a bunch of good breweries. Indeed and Fair State both have really solid and developing sour programs, and Dangerous Man is really well-known locally for its Chocolate Milk Stout and Peanut Butter Porter.

 

Surly is great, just be sure to give yourself enough time. There is probably going to be quite a wait for a seat, especially on a home game weekend. As for other places check out this thread.

 

This is exactly the type of response I was asking for. Thank you.
follow-up, and what about Minneapolis Town Hall Brewing? and 612 Brew? Both of those were on some lists I searched. Did you leave those out because you're not crazy about them, or maybe they aren't that cool and not worth dragging my dad to?

 

This is great info as well. Thanks!

 

Town Hall is one of the best breweries in the state. 612 is in the running for worst brewery in the state.

 

Haha thanks for the feedback. I also like the Big Lebowski reference in your name. cheers

 

Also, I see there is Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

• Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery - 1430 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis

But there is also Town Hall Tap and Town Hall Lanes... are these all related?

If there are 3 locations of the Town Hall name, brewery, tap, and lanes, is one of them the best to visit as far as beer selection and worthy of a visit in the limited time I have?

 

Town Hall is great (and right across the street from Republic!). Town Hall Tap and Town Hall Lanes are both offshoots of the original (that you listed above)... They are both fine, but you definitely don't need to go to all three and the original will be closest to where you are staying.

 

As stevefenester said, they are related. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery is the original location, and the one where they brew the beer. It is also the only location you can buy growlers at. I would suggest going there. The Tap and Lanes locations are both great, but they are both firmly in residential neighborhoods that are somewhat off the beaten path.

 

Town Hall Brewery is worth a visit for sure its only about a 6-7 block walk from US Bank Stadium, Republic is right across the street, both have great outdoor seating, if the fall weather is nice.