Best Beer Shops - Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa area?

My parents are in Park Rapids, MN this week... Is there anything in MN worth seeking out that we can't get here in Iowa? I already have my order in for some Fulton 300. I love that stuff. They bought a mixed 12 pack of "Alaskan". :rolls eyes:

 

I'll be heading up that way this weekend myself. Jack Pine is my favorite. They have a new Gose that I hope is still on this weekend as I haven't tried it yet. They also have a rotating experimental hop beer which is always fun to try too. I had a buddy who was at Big Axe last weekend and he said their Mosiac Pale was very good. There is a new brewery in the Burlington Northern buildings in Brainerd called Roundhouse Brewing. It just opened in April and might be worth checking out. I liked their IPA. It's a super cool space. For bottles, cans I usually hit up Cash Wise.

 

Sorry I should have clarified my answer I go to Cash Wise because it's the closest to where I stay up that way. Plenty of selection for me. It's been forever since I've visited Westside so I can't speak for the selection or prices. Maybe I'll swing in there this weekend and take a look.

 

Another thumbs up on that Big Axe Mosaic IPA. Very good! I have nothing else to add..

 

Jackpine is solid. Always has been. Gull Dam has gone downhill since changing brewers a year or so ago. Had a sampler last week there and found most poor to below average. The raspberry wheat is ok. The scottish ale is ok..
Big Axe I had a sample of every beer they had about two weeks ago. Most were close to undrinkable. The Mosaic was decent. I was dumbfounded how that one stood out from the rest. Then it hit me. You could probably add Mosaic hops to sewage water and it would taste decent. I'd hit Roundabout. 10 beers on tap I think. I sampled them all. Solid or better.

For what its worth here's the scores I gave on my latest trips within the last two weeks. Scored (1-5) I score an average beer 3.0:

Big Axe-(Even my wife who is new to beers could tell how bad the blonde and wheat were)

Blonde 2.0
Wheat 1.7
Amber 1.5
Rye 2.3
Mosaic 3.8
Red 3.0
IPA 1.9
Stout 3.1

Gull Dam-

Helles 1.5 (off, sour)
Wheat 2.8
Peary Wheat 2.9
Raspberry Wheat 3.3
IPA 2.2
Scottish 3.7

Roundabout-

Lager=4.0
Cream Ale=3.7
Hefe=4.1
California Common=2.9
Amber=3.5
Brown=3.2
Rye=4.0
Porter=3.2
Oatmeal Stout=3.2
Imperial IPA=3.0

 

I typically hit both cashwise and westside when I am in town. Both have TGB stuff as well but I have been able to find some beers that have sold out in the metro up there on occasion. I am originally from BLA and the landscape for beer has definitely changed. Jack Pine would be my suggestion for breweries as noted above as well. Bombers of some of their beers can be found at MGM in Eagan for sure, probably some more places. They also just installed a crowler canning machine so there is another option for enjoying their beers.

 

Cashwise has slightly better prices, and a good selection. They also close out beer often if you look along the left isle as you come in. I've found some great deals there.

Westside has an even better selection, higher prices, and not nearly as good of close out deals.

 

You could have them detour 45 minutes or so to Perham for a growler of Disgruntled. They are off to a solid start.

 

I'm in Nisswa all the time during the summer. Spirits of Nisswa right by Gull Dam Brewing had a better selection than I ever thought I'd find last summer. I'd assume it's no different now. I picked up some Todd the Axe Man, Stone Delicious IPA and 21st Amendment Come Hell or High Watermelon. Even the tiny liquor store in Pine River has carried Surly and other MN beers for over a year now, so I'd bet most places will have it.

If you're going to Pequot and are looking for somewhere to eat I highly recommend going to the Cross Lake or Gull Lake Zorbaz. Zorbaz is easily the best craft beer restaurant/bars you'll find in central Minnesota. Their tap lists would be good/respectable no matter where they were located in the state of Minnesota. They may not have the super rare stuff, but they have a lot of good stuff. The Gull Lake one has 30 or 40 taps, and since Ten just came out there's a solid possibility that they could have it on. Pints of Todd are only $5 or $6 if I remember right and they have it on tap at the Cross Lake location right now, which is a 15 minute drive, max, from Breezy Point. They have really good pizza, too. It's a staple for me every time I go to the area.

 

Ernie's on Gull usually has a pretty decent tap list as well on Gull as they have a fun rivalry with Zorbaz.

 

My uncle has a place on Gull, heading up there again tomorrow from Denver for the weekend. Cash Wise and Westside have been my go to spots when we go up there, just about every summer. As mentioned, lots of Surly, TGB, Bell's, and other stuff I can't get here in CO.

Bummed to hear Gull Dam has been going downhill. I wasn't super impressed when I had their beer a couple years ago, but a neat spot for sure with a lot of potential.

Zorbaz is definitely a bit of a hidden gem up there. Always something on their list that surprises me.

We normally stop at France 44 or MGM on our way up if we're flying back, but this time we're driving so we'll bring some CO goodies with us and then stock up on MN goodies before we come back.

 

I love the West Side Liquor stores!