Brewery Updates in Minnesota (2020)

Yes, I believe this to be the case - Food and pickup only for today’s soft opening.

 

Hit Revel Brewing in Park Rapids the other day and I came away impressed. It's another home brewer starting a brewery which can be good sometimes (Bemidji, Jack Pine) and also not so good (I'll leave out the names). This one reminds more of the good ones than not so good ones.

Everything I had was above average for the style. Their Chameleon is a nice drinking sweeter light ale. All Night Amber was delicious (got a growler of that one and enjoyed it even more at home). The Yetti Stout was a top notch chocolate stout with a load of character and flavor but a lower abv (thinking 4.3 or something like that). Long Day IPA is billed as a hazy IPA which didn't excite me but I thought I would try it and I'm glad I did. It drank more like a decent west coast IPA and then I discovered it is listed at 98.2 IBU. I'm not an expert on the hazy IPA's as they really aren't my thing but isn't that quite high for that style? Either way it was a good beer.

It's a cool facility that is hard to explain with a sheltered outdoor section in one area. Service was excellent.

I'll be back. Much, much prefer the beers at Revel in comparison to Hackensack's recently opened Rendezvous which is closer to 14 Lakes Brewery in quality in my opinion. This (Revel) reminds me more of the early beers from Bemidji and Jack Pine as far as clean, quality beers go. There is nothing crazy about their lineup. Just basic staples that are well made. I think they will be a big success in Park Rapids.

 

Lake Superior Brewing opening back up.

New owner, location.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/b...ewing-relocating-historic-brewery-to-Lakeside

 

I thought that brand was gone for sure.

Luce Line in Plymouth has an opening date*:

https://m.facebook.com/LuceLineBrewing/photos/a.183602176574139/183602156574141/?type=3

* November 18. The address is:

12901 16th Ave N
Minneapolis Minnesota 55441

 

https://www.facebook.com/birchslowertown/
Birch's Lowertown last day October 17

 

Sylvan Brewing in downtown Lanesboro has opened. Their Facebook page shows they have an initial six beers on tap.

 

Tough market, even before COVID.

 

Ineffable Brewing Co in Burnsville opened today. I tried a flight. The American IPA needed more hoppy flavor. Bitterness was OK. The Oatmeal Stout had good mouth feel, but also could use more flavor. The most flavorful was the White Stout.

 

I saw that all their beers were $7 no ifs ands or buts about it.

 

They had a bad habit of charging for X ounces of beer, and then using glasses smaller than indicated on the menu. I guess I'm not over it.

 

Not sure if mentioned here before, but Wooden Ship brewing looks to have secured a location at 44th and Zenith in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. This is a very residential location and one that I think could be successful as a neighborhood joint. Wooden Ship looks to be brewing elsewhere now, but I don't know anything else about the team.

 

I forgot this was over in Park Rapids.... and was just up there last weekend at the cabin in Hackensack. Thanks for the review, will absolutely remember this next time I go up.

 

I'm missing reading the Growler Magazine, either online or in print. My favorite was Now Open (Or Damn Close). I'm glad there are forum's such as this to keep informed on changes in the Minnesota Brewery scene. I use the mncraft.beer app, and they are still actively updating brewery info. In case there is anyone not using this free app, I would recommend it highly. It's available on Google Play and the Apple Store. As I said it is free, but they gladly accept tips.

 

Hey all, I didn't want to create a new thread for this, but with COVID are there good spots open with heated patios or have the inside situation pretty well set up? I'm heading up on Thursday and I'm trying to find good breweries or bars.

EDIT: Staying in Minneapolis in the Uptown area, but will be all over the twin cities.

 

All the Minneapolis breweries I have visited recently have required online reservations prior to visiting. I have been to Utepils, Lakes & Legends, Sisyphus, Indeed, Fair State, Town Hall Brewing, and Day Block. I think Utepils had the best set up and they have a massive taproom to spread things out. Fair State is outdoor seating only and during my visit, nothing was inclosed. It was flipping cold.

 

what style of beer/food are you looking for? do you have a car?

 

It's going to be chilly Thursday and Friday, a bit warmer Saturday and Sunday, so if you're going to be outside be prepared.
Indoors at Utepils is a great recommendation from @morimech, the taproom is really big and the beer is great. If you want to stay outside I recommend Wild Mind, they have a really good covid protocol (and some indoor seating too). Check their menu and make a reservation in advance.

 

Utepils also installed a new air purification system.

 

Thanks all! Great recommendations.

 

Bad Weather in St. Paul has a pretty large indoor space. I'd also recommend Indeed--they have a decent number of fire pits/heaters on the patio.