ENKI Brewing

Note: We visited ENKI Brewing back on Valentine's Day, before Minnesota bars and restaurants were closed and the stay-at-home order was in place. Their taproom is currently closed, but they are still offering curbside pickup. More info here. Key takeaways: Balcony overlooking brewing area, sizeable renovated warehouse space and deck, delicious mint-infused Mocha Porter. On …

Vine Park Brewing

Key takeaways: Knowledgeable and friendly brewing instructors, laid back setting to explore beer brewing and learn about beer. Fantastic tours 😉 Have you ever brewed beer? I once asked for and received a beer brewing kit for my birthday only to let it sit in the back of my closet and eventually expire. It wasn't …

Fat Pants Brewing Co.

Key Takeaways: Eden Prairie's 1st brewery, indoor food truck, better-than-average beer (for a new brewery), regrettable live music choices When we first moved to Eden Prairie in November 2018, the closest brewery was Unmapped, 7 minutes away in Minnetonka. August 2019 heralded the arrival of Boom Island Brewing, which picked up from its namesake location in …

10K Brewing

Key Takeaways: 100% Minnesotan, live music done well, families, wood cabin vibes The slogan on 10K Brewing's website reads "Nice beer. Nice people." Simple though it may be, this phrase sums up well the sensibility of this popular, far-flung (by city folk standards) brewery: Minnesota nice. Whether it's because of it's northernmost location, the wood …

Insight Brewing

Pros: Mafia-like lounge area, stellar northeast pale ale Cons: Hard to find parking Number one reason you should go: Charming and welcoming, Insight is a necessary stop on any tour of Northeast Minneapolis breweries. Located on the same stretch of East Hennepin Avenue as Headflyer, Insight Brewing is the easternmost outpost of what is otherwise …

Alloy Brewing Company

Pros: Large space, well-crafted beer Cons: A bit of a drive from the city Number one reason you should go: If you and your friends are tired of shouting over one another, consider grabbing a brew at this relatively quiet, suburban brewery with yard games and a large patio. Well, the Twin Cities A-to-Z Brewery …

Indeed Brewing Company

Pros: An old favorite in Twin Cities craft beer circles, mindfully-crafted beer Cons: Honestly, anything that goes in this list would just be nitpicking at this point Number one reason you should go there: The beer. The vibe. The everything. Indeed Brewing Company is a Twin Cities craft beer standard, and often the first TC …

HammerHeart Brewing Company

Pros: Unique theme, attention-grabbing beers Cons: A bit of a drive compared to other Twin Cities breweries Number one reason you should go: HammerHeart Brewing Company offers up a well-executed, one-of-a-kind concept in a backwoods, log cabin space. Every good Minnesota Viking should go experience it, especially if you like smoky beers. If you ever …

Modist Brewing Co.

Pros: Solid beer, active brewery doing interesting things Cons: Expect crowds and noise (or try them at 6 p.m. on a Sunday) Number one reason you should go: FOMO Though the next brewery on the list was technically Indeed, we decided to skip ahead and hit up Modist Brewing Co., both because it completes the …

Inbound BrewCo

Pros: Pleasing design and layout; congenial staff Cons: Unpredictable beer quality Number one reason you should go: Inbound is a brewery you don't hear mentioned a lot in Twin Cities craft beer conversations, or if it is, it's tucked behind "Insight, Indeed, and that other one..." Go see the other one. What is Inbound BrewCo? …