Minneapolis Trip Help

Don't forget about our wonderful coffee offerings if you're a coffee drinker. Check out Five Watt Coffee.

 

Matt's is cash only (atleast used to be) so keep that in mind if you head there.

 

Not everything has to be "artisinal" all the time. Sometimes a greasy, american cheese Lucy is exactly what a person needs. I just went to Matt's on a Sunday afternoon and waited 5 minutes for a table and 20 minutes for food. Don't exaggerate a 2 hour wait with a priority for takeout just because you obviously hate Matt's. One could easily find a long wait at Blue Door as well.

Yes, it is still cash only.

 

if we are talking about great burgers (and good tap list), I think red cow has to be in the conversation... the Manhattan 2.0 is quite possibly the best burger in the twin cities IMO.

EDIT: btw, I love how this thread has gone crazy, we are probably not helping at all, but it's fun to argue the best places in the cities.

 

Could easily find? I have yet to be to Blue Door where I didn't have to wait at least 45 minutes for a table. Especially the Minneapolis one. Gone twice to get a burger before a Riverview showing. Showed up well before I thought I had to and ended up having to go elsewhere.

 

http://dangerousmanbrewing.com/beers/growlers

What’s the deal with Growlers?

The times they are a changing! We've just opened up our Growler Shop, located just 2 doors up from the taproom. This is what's happening: The shop is open Thursday and Friday 1pm-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. There you can fill onsite (IF your growler is clean), snag Crowlers, special release bottles and all the merch you can handle. We encourage you to use that space for your to-go goodies. On Tuesday and Wednesday we stock the taproom with growlers and crowlers. Grab as many as you'd like based on what we have.... If you have a big order you can only get those two days, please email [email protected] with your order.

These are all good things. No middle man. Only @ DM. And only the freshest beer you can find.

****Some beer may not be available in in crowlers or growlers and only sold in bottles.****

 

The Brewer's table above surly is great. Food paired with beer. I think it only 65 dollars for beer and food.

 

A friend went this week and told me that drinks aren't included in your ticketed meal price.

 

I went to Ale Jail and Surdyk's last time I was there. Both were pretty great.

 

South Lyndale Liquors or France 44. Not only they do they have good selections, they also both let you order online and ship so if you forget to grab something while in town, you've still got a second shot!

Just a heads up about Winterfest itself, the past couple years they've had a pretty good food spread (at least since they got smart about not doing stew anymore!). I've gone for a number of years now and can't remember the last time I made of point of getting supper before going. Maybe not the smartest plan for heading into a beer festival but I've never left hungry either!

Also, keep an eye out a day or two before for free Metro Transit passes for the fest (example of last year's). In the past they've been valid for a hour before to a hour after the festival and lets you ride free on any bus or light rail. Since it's at the Union Depot, there's a number of options including the Green Line to run you into downtown Minneapolis or Route 54 Bus which will take you to the Mall of America along 7th Street W.

Enjoy your trip to the cities and Winterfest, it's my favorite beer weekend of the year! Just don't get too irritated with all the high school kids in town for the state wrestling tournament that weekend.

 

Bottle shops:

Ale Jail
Heritage
France 44

 

Matt's is terrible, skip that place, not only are the juicy lucy's sub par, but the wait is long and the service is poor. Do yourself a favor and go to either The Nook or Blue Door Pub (Blue Door Longfellow is bigger and better than St Paul). Red Cow (3 locations) has fantastic burgers and tap options as well (no juicy lucy's though).

Check out the beer garden at Butcher & the Boar for a great tap list and fantastic house made sausage if you have time.

Steel Toe Brewing in St Louis Park is also a good taproom to check out.

 

Right, drinks are separate. The tap list is small but high quality (think Todd, Abrasive, etc.). I know this is a beer site but their cocktails are fantastic. Try the Ron Burgundy if you like a bourbon cocktail.