Ranking MN Breweries (2017 Update #1)

Stop saying Sisyphus

 

I went to Insight a couple of weeks ago, sampled eight beers, couldn't find one that I wanted to order a pint of. Tried Hell Chicken for the second time in about a year (to confirm my first tasting) and still find it to be one of the worst beers brewed in MN. Their fruited beers were not good IMHO and I'd agree about the syrup comment. I see no reason to return to this venue when there are a couple of much better options not too far away (D. Man, Fair State)

 

I have to agree. I have tried a number of Insight's beers and thought they were all subpar. C- to D+...

 

I find the fruited beers to be somewhat bitter as well, and that's not what i'm looking for in a fruit beer. A group of friends and I go to Insight solely because the space is nice to play Catan, and I kind of like the golden coffee ale.

 

Yeah, take these with a grain of salt. Many had all 5 ratings prior to opening. We had some beer from Clockwerks last year (not open yet?) and I didn't want to rate it, but saw they had 10 5 star ratings. I think the group of 5-8 of us all said it was a 0, if possible.
Pretty amazing all of these are above 3.25! Many of them that I have tried, did not make it past a 3.

 

As someone who moved to the Midwest less than two years ago and subsequently discovered France 44's online shop, thank you for maintaining a list like this. I've been trying to explore the region (having previously done the same in southern California for seven years), so it's a lovely reference when I'm paging through France 44's expansive Minnesota section.

Likewise, thank you to all of you with firsthand experience who contribute your own thoughts. I would love to make a tour of the state now, thanks to the multiple editions of this thread.

 

I realize rankings are mostly personal preference, I'd like to say that Roets in Jordan would be at the top of the Good, close to the very good- above average in my opinion. Of course, I live close by, so that helps.
They had a NE style IPA that only lasted 6 days (open Th-Su). He does rotate a few different hoppy beers, including his take on a juicy IPA.
In the end, he offers average IPAs, 1-2 above average.
Mocha- people seem to love this. Not my favorite style.
Bearded Lad- Scottish Ale
Cherry-
Cream Ale
Jordan Black- Octoberfest-like
Superfruit- Braggot backs-weetened with fruit. Currently blueberry 12%
I've been to many new breweries, and I can tell you Roets is putting out quality beer. I feel they are ahead of many new places. Head south and try them out.

 

Is he doing that Kolsch again? Or does that "belong" to Town Hall?

 

I'll ask. He has mentioned that beer when I've talked to him. Then again, he loves talking.

 

Beer recipes are almost never considered IP. Most brewers I've talked to are willing and happy to share at least the backbone of recipes with the right people. In my opinion a beer recipe is not that different than a food recipe, it's a lot more about the cook and the execution than it is the recipe. Just because I have a copies of the French Laundry cookbook and Brewing Classic Styles doesn't mean I can cook like Thomas Keller or brew like Jamil Z.

Besides, a Kolsch is one of the most basic recipes out there.

 

I had a couple beers at Bald Man last night and was pleasantly surprised by the improvements they've made since I was there in September. Nothing you need to run out the door for but good enough to spend an evening or two drinking their beer.

 

I have not been to Grand Rounds since they got a new head brewer. They must of really stepped up their game because I would put LTS above them in a visit to Rochester.

 

I probably still would put LTS above them across the board, but that Mosaic IPA they had last month was absolutely phenomenal. We sampled some other stuff that wasn't that interesting, but clearly they're figuring things out.

LTS does pretty much every style they take on very well, IMO. If I was going to make comparisons to other Midwest cities, LTS would be to Rochester what Confluence is to Des Moines (wide range of styles, competent in all, nothing flashy). Forager is the 515 (crazy high quality and adventurous as well). Grand Rounds is probably Exile (makes one or two styles very well, but some forgettable offerings). Not sure if you have experience with those breweries.

I'm glad to see them stepping up their game. 2 years ago Rochester had a dearth of quality local beer. It's flipped that script swiftly as of late.

 

You might still want to avoid Kinney Creek.

 

Seconded. When they turned their Red, which was ok, into a pumpkin beer.... well.... oh, boy, what a mess. The flavors CLASHED. It was horrible. I tried telling them that, and they looked at me like I was crazy.

I will never go back there.

 

I've heard this story from multiple people. Their beer will never get any better, because they hold the attitude that people who don't like it are the ones at fault.

 

Wait, when did we start talking about Stone?