Ranking Minnesota's Breweries

Your list makes me think I need to give Able another try. I would have had to create another ranking below your lowest to rank them based on my visit there awhile back.

 

I had heard they weren't event using their own grain (or whatever they are doing) when you went, not sure if they are yet either. I know you did not enjoy their beer very much, but probably worth another shot once they are doing what they set out to do and go their stuff sorted out.

 

Wow. I will give them another try, for real. 2 of us couldn't finish any of the 4 beers in a flight.

 

I generally agree with your list but I personally would bump up Harriet and Bauhaus while dropping down Lupulin, Great Waters, and Insight. Fitger's probably would not be in the top tier either.

Surprised you have not had any Enki.

 

Northgate?

 

Drop down Insight??? That stuff is delicious.

I'd put it at average or good, but I love the Maggie's Leap milk stout.

 

I second Northgate, and want to add Boom Island. Not all of their beers are amazing, but the saison is one of my favorite domestic saisons. Otherwise I generally agree with the overall trend of your list, though I would personally move a handful of them down (Tin Whiskers, Insight, namely) for attenuation, diacetyl, and yeast autolysis issues here and there in my experience. I also would bump Barely John's up if they just branded their stuff better. I never would have guess they were an English style brewery. Their "Session Ale" is an English Bitter. Call it an English Bitter.

 

The last few times I was at Carmody, the beers were vastly improved. I would think they would be up to average.

 

I would love to see some more feed back on Hays Public House. If people are out in Buffalo, they really need to check it out. I think their beers are excellent, would love to see what others thought. And what am I missing about Beaver Island? I live relatively close, but would much rather make the drive to Lupulin or Hays any day of the week.

 

I have only been to Hayes twice, thought they were solid. Loved the Peach ale on nitro.

 

Fulton? Freehouse?

Def go to Enki before they move to their new spot. Probably one of the best taprooms in town...in an OLD creamery. Also get the porketa at Northbound...awesomeness

 

I would bump f town way down. Tastes like beer from home brew kits gone wrong.

I'd also bump up hammerhart to the bottom of the excellent pile. I don't think they make any bad or average beers.

 

Zap, given your tastes stylewise I expected to see Bauhaus ranked higher. What are your thoughts about them?

I woukd personally drop Insight down a level due to QC issues. They make good stuff when it is on, but I've been burned with under attinuated beer a couple times.

 

Lake Monster's new brewery/taproom is very nice. All the beers I tried were solid, except for the sour. I'd definitely recommend checking them out.

 

Barley John's Brewpub in Minnesota calls it an English Bitter. Barley John's Brewery in Wisconsin calls it a Session Ale. Also, I don't think quality is really an issue for Insight. They recently dumped an entire 30 BBL batch of their IPA because it was dry-hopped slightly longer than normal. That takes serious dedication to quality for a young brewery (even ones that were given obscene amounts of money for distribution rights).