Visiting the Twin Cities for several days

First off, you probably are an older hand at spots around the Twin Cities than I am, since I moved here last year, so I fear I might simply highlight items about which you already aware.

That said, while you asked for breweries, I would point you toward France 44, which is worth a shout out. Their selection of local and craft brews in distribution in Minnesota is pretty exceptional. It also offers all sorts of interesting, although pricey, food stuffs, so it can form a one spot stop for both drinks and nosh, if you are so inclined.

If you are focused on the brewery experience, I'm personally a huge fan of Barrel Theory, in St. Paul. It delivers the goods on its IPA work, and I've enjoyed their other brews, as well. Nice spot to drop in and grab a pint.

Modist in North Loop has solid beers. Very loud music, so not a talking spot, but oddly can be a bit sleepy when I've dropped in to pick up some brews after eating at our favorite taco spot down the street. Last time we went, though, there was quite a lively crowd by the time we left.

Of course, I appreciate the sheer scale of the Surly beerhall, and have loved their beers for years, so it is not a bad choice, despite being a known quantity.

I'm quite interested in the other suggestions you get.

 

You're going to have a tough time finding good BA stouts in the Twin Cities. A trip to Rochester to visit Forager is a good bet as they just had a BA stout release last weekend and might still have some available to-go. The BA stouts aren't listed on the to-go menu so definitely call ahead first. Jack's Bottle shop is a few doors down from Forager, nice little place with some interesting options. Night Witch from Lupulin was released a good while ago but I found it to be solidly enjoyable. You might find some BA offerings from Back Channel, I've enjoyed those.

Breweries: Fair State, Utepils, Arbeiter, and Venn are my favorites in Minneapolis. Those all lean toward lagers (they all do pretty dang good work) but there is good variety at each, including plenty of IPAs.

Bang Brewing in St Paul (not far from Surly and Blackstack) is a hidden gem in my opinion. Tiny little indoor space but they have a ton of outdoor space for a nice summer day.

 

what are you looking for in BA Stouts? how about BA Barleywines?

 

If your in Blaine look no further than The Rusty Bumblebee . A full assortment of taps/styles

 

Falling Knife might be worth looking into for Barley wines.
A drive to Big Lake maybe worth it, Lupulin is ok.
gudbrande is correct in his post about BA Stouts right now in the TC metro.
Steel Toe Before the Dawn is a solid beer
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26565/82744/

 

Not sure when the last time was you were here John so taking a stab at some newer and under-the-radar places here:

• Nouvelle Brewing - To-go bottles half price on Thursdays (Food's good to, from the Travail folks)
• Barrel Theory
• Falling Knife - Could/should be packed Saturday night if the Wolves are still playing.
• Bricksworth - Two locations (North Loop & Burnsville), mostly hazies but occasional BA stout
• Modist - Illbrewminati Vol. 4 still available to-go

 

you fly'n in or drive'n here? if your fly'n how do you take massive amounts of beer back?

 

Surly's BA Darkness came out a month or two ago and can still be found around town (someone else mentioned France 44 in here, and they almost definitely have it), and it's a solid stout. It comes in large cans.

Another one that I really enjoy is Pryes BA Lost Moon, although it doesn't seem to get much love. It comes in cans or bottles.

If you're feeling adventurous enough to drive all the way out to Stillwater, Lift Bridge Silhouette is always great. I never saw it in stores around town this year, but they had it in bottles in the taproom as of a month ago. I'd be surprised if it's sold out, but you'd probably want to call ahead on that one. *edit: I'm talking about the non-adjunct version. I tried either coffee or vanilla last year and didn't care for it (can't remember which), and I can't speak to whatever alternate versions they released this year. But the normal Silhouette is good, and they even had a bunch of different years of it when I was last in there.

Otherwise, Central Waters has BA Stout, Peruvian Morning, and Vanilla Bean stout in the city right now, but where you can find those varies pretty wildly. France would be a good bet on those, too. They come in four packs of bottles.

Keep in mind that I wouldn't consider any of these stouts to be the sorts of beers you'd have an event around, like Assassin or KBBS down in Decorah, but that's why I like them. They're very good and not overly sweet, and they're somewhat readily available. I wouldn't super go out of my way for them, but they're worth picking up if you see them.

 

I have plenty of beers to trade if you want to meet in person at a bar/taproom. I have some Central Water beers that were taproom only release. PM me if Interested.

 

My needs are simple a bottle or two of english style barleywines. From the west coast that aren't available around here. Fremont?

 

I was at Forager Monday and they still had bottles of every single thing released Saturday. Just grabbed a single bottle as I rarely buy anything in cans/bottles any longer and especially not something that is $60.

 

ya I wonder if there beers are worth the price, for the price they best be the best in the country??? I have pasted on there big boys in the past. Are there big boys over hyped????????

 

There is a new tourism slogan (no joke) brought on by Anthony Edwards on TNT post game 7 win. So this is what we say to people wanting to visit
https://www.google.com/search?q=bri...ate=ive&vld=cid:f4e743de,vid:bcVy2XGc_Qo,st:0