Minneapolis taproom day advice

I would skip Sisyphus. Fair State is a great suggestion in my opinion.

 

You could also consider taking the light rail down to Harriet Brewing if you like Belgians and live music

 

never been a huge fan of Harriet. Though I have liked the beer (mostly) at Day Block, I do find their food on the pricier side for what you get. OP, you have some great options listed. Also, I am sure there will be several of us around town when you get in. So if you want to share a pint or two with any of us, just let us know and I am sure we can meet up.

 

I would stay away from Day Block. Their beer is mediocre at best. I don't understand why anyone would go there with Town Hall right down the street. If you want to try something new, go to Northbound instead. Better beer and better food...

 

and usually great local guest taps.

 

I second skipping Day Block for a beer visit. Its a sweet place in a nice part of town, but Im probably never going back (average beer and pricey food). Also, if you do like Belgians I'd suggest Boom Island over Harriet (plus its in Northeast, ie pretty close to Fulton and Dangerous Man).

 

We are remarkably close on our list but I am not as high on Sisyphus as you are. I put them in the middle tier. I just thought their beer (I had the sampler about a month ago) was run of the mill. Not horrible, not great. My ranking right now would go like this.

1. Town Hall
2. Surly
3. Fair State
4. Dangerous Man
5. Indeed

And then we start splitting hairs but the next would probably go.

6. Insight
7. Bauhaus
8. Sissyphus
9. 612

These are the Minneapolis proper ones I have visited and can comment on. I'm probably forgetting a couple as well.

Back to Sissyphus. Besides the beer I find it kind of a difficult place to find and while I was there around noon on a Friday and parking was fine I wonder what that is like during a busy time. Maybe I didn't see a lot or something that would make it easier. I parked right in front on the street but there didn't seem to be a lot of street parking.

 

Sisyphus has gotten mixed reviews, here and elsewhere, for sure. Parking is limited, but there isn't much competition for spots from other businesses, and I actually think it's parking friendly overall. One complaint I've heard is that, because it serves only four beers at a time, there is potential for fans of a particular set of styles (say, styles that emphasize hops) to be unfulfilled on any particular visit.

Perhaps Sisyphus batches are inconsistent, but all six beers I've tried from them on my three visits were above average. On the other site, I gave them scores of 3.5, 3.6, 3.6, 3.8, 4.0, and 4.1, and my average score given to all beers I've rated is 3.38. Sisyphus is my third-highest-rated Minnesota brewery in terms of average score I've given, behind Barley John's (buoyed by Rosie's and Dark Knight variations) and Surly and ahead of Steel Toe, Fair State, and Dangerous Man, in that order. Sisyphus Batch 50.50 was my second favorite Minnesota Imperial Stout I've had in the past year, behind only BA Darkness and ahead of regular Darkness, Rum King, BA and regular Silhouette, and Dangerous Man Russian Imperial Stout, among others. Sisyphus Double IPA was my favorite Minnesota Double IPA I've had in the past year, ahead of Lift Bridge Batch 800, Dangerous Man IIPA, Abrasive, and Sticker Fight, among others.

 

Unfortunately neither were on when I was there....I got notes at home on what I had but haven't entered any reviews yet. Off memeory I think the best was a maple stout with very light maple impression, an ok golden ale that seemed a little butterscotchy...and an ok Imprerial Brown Ale that was a little muddled and boozy. Can't remember the 4th beer. I like that they change things up a lot.