Ranking MN Breweries (2017 Update #1)

Kind of surprised Barley Johns isn't at the top. I've always really enjoyed them, and I think Dark Knight is one of the best beers in the state. I'll second josholson666 on Insight too, I think they're doing some really interesting stuff lately. Their Banshee Cutter is possibly one of the most interesting beers I've had in years.

LTD is hit and miss for me. I've had the worst beer I've ever had in my life there (their tripel), but since then they've been putting out better stuff.

 

Insight is polarizing for me. Banshee Cutter and some others are quite solid, but can't stand the recent syrup saisons and Orange Miracle (Hell Chicken) - although I enjoy Sunken City much more in can than on tap at the brewery. Wish they'd do some straight styles without all the adjuncts just to demonstrate that they can make a clean one. Just my 2 pennies...

 

I've never actually been to Insight, everything I've had has been in the can or bottle, but I didn't think their Doe Eyes or the other one was super syrupy. Maybe those are better in the bottle as well for some reason?

 

I mostly like LTD. REM is one of the best MN beers of 2015. I also really liked Sleepwalker. It reminded me of the very first Size 11 before Steel Toe got all Devil Dancer with the recipe. But their sours are average and I dislike almost all their pale ales.

 

I also am surprised by the Beaver Island ranking. I will say I have not tried anything of theirs since shortly after they opened, but it was not good enough to ever get us back in the door. We will make the drive to Lupulin or Hayes Public House.

 

No Rochester mentions?

Forager is top tier, and LTS isn't far behind. Grand Rounds put out a phenomenal NE IPA recently and Kinney Creek is horrid

 

I've got to say "thanks" for not including places on the basis of a single sample.

While it should be the mission of every brewery to never put out a bad product, shit happens. Dirty lines at a bar, a festival one-off that didn't go quite as expected, a polarizing style, etc. Good on you for deciding to reserve judgment until you feel you've gotten a good sense of things. All too often there are claims and counterclaims tossed around on here on the basis of a tiny pour at a festival.

We appreciate it. Sincerely.

 

I have to agree about Bad Habit. Their beers were so-so to start out with, and an infected Red to start out with. Their beers are way better, and the red is no longer a sour, and actually quite good.

Also I know you mentioned Wild Mind. I stopped there on my way to my parents house tonight to get a couple of growlers to take home to give to some people who are helping me out. It was packed, which was good. What was bad is they were playing music so loud it could blow out your eardrums. I would have stayed for one if it weren't for the over loud music.

 

I agree with what @gatornation, @SipIt, and @Josholson666, have said about Day Block. They got both a new head brewer, and assistant brewer (both Siebel graduates, and former Lift Bridge assistant brewers) early last summer, and the beer has improved greatly under their watch. You should definitely visit them again in the near future.

 

I actually think Hell Chicken is one of the best they do, the yuzu fruit, while a polarizing fruit on its own, compliments the hop character of that one really well. I also would call Sunken City anything but syrupy, but to each their own. I kind of feel what you're saying about all the adjuncts, but there are a lot of breweries that exist that make straight up beers which fall in with style guidelines, so I welcome the variation that they offer. That being said, I feel like Lambton Dragon and the London porter (I forget the name) are adjunct-free and true to style, imo.

EDIT: I realize you're probably referring to the fruited seasonal saisons as syrupy, which I still would disagree with though. Again, to each their own.

 

I was at Wild Mind last night as well. The music was significantly louder than it normally is, but it is generally one of the loudest taprooms in the winter due to the layout being a box with bare walls that is packed with people most nights. It's much quieter there in the summer when the garage doors are open.

 

I might make a return trip later today if I decide to head home. That Table beer sounded so good.

 

I haven't been to Wild Mild during evening hours, but it's always been pretty chill and no more than half full on any given day I've gone. Sunday's have always been a good day to visit.

 

Had a couple free beer tokens for South Fork so I decided I should revisit them. Surely the beer has improved. Nope. Same poor beer. And they are talking expansion and buying a canning line. Guess there is still a market for poor beer. Good thing Lupine is around the corner to wash the taste of South Fork out of the mouth.