Big Wood Brewery – White Bear Lake
One of the questions that I get most is about which brewery is the best in the Twin Cities. I haven’t been to every brewery in the state and I like many different breweries for different reasons. This is one of very favorite ones because of the beer.
If you haven’t been out to downtown White Bear Lake recently, it is a hopping place to be. Excellent shopping, salons, and food are found in the small downtown area that is perfect for a weekend trip. Come in the afternoon to do some shopping, stay for dinner, and then some after dinner drinks at Big Wood.
I’ve had almost everything on tap at the brewery besides the winter brew that they have coming out. I’ve been very impressed by the full flavor of each brew. Two of my favorites are the Bark Bite and Drevo. You can get tasting flights and they always have 10 beers on tap.
The taproom is fairly small but it isn’t usually full. They have tables in the front room and in the back room where there is a table tennis table. During the summer they have outdoor seating as well. They don’t have their own food in the taproom but you can order in from many of the local establishments. There are two really really great pizza places nearby that you can order from called Olives Pizza Bar and Pezzo Pizza.
I highly recommend stopping out to Big Wood Brewery and taking in all that White Bear Lake has to offer.
Because I do it for the brews.
XoXo @mplsgossipgirl
What’s your favorite brewery in Minnesota? Where do you go when you go to White Bear Lake?
Minnesota Breweries
I am not sure what I love most about Minnesota. I know of something that comes close. BEER. I am proud of craft brewers of Minnesota because they are making some wonderful brews. Call me a beer snob but, enough of the Budweiser and light crap, I would take a Minnesota beer over those anytime, anyplace.
I am also proud to call Minnesota my home because of the push to get these wonderful beers in our restaurants and the work that is being done to let them open tap rooms! The more beer the merrier or at least that is my opinion on it.
Here is a list of a few breweries I haven’t been to but I am hoping to make it there sometime soon.
1. Castle Danger Brewery
In Northern MN on the way to the Gun Flint Trail you will drive through a small town called Castle Danger. This is the greatest name for a town and I want to buy a cabin there eventually.
This is a production brewery and only puts out a few different beers at a time. It is a one- man production. The family who owns the brewery also own the Castle Haven Cabins. Sounds like a great weekend trip to me. They are already booked for summer but have some availability in the next few weeks.
Growlers are available every Wed, Fri & Sat from 4-7pm at the brewery filled with your choice of beer that we currently have. Now Available: Danger Ale, Camp Depression Lager & George Hunter Stout.
More information here on their website: http://www.castledangerbrewery.com/
2. Boom Island Brewing Company
Owned by a french horn playing couple Boom Island sits on the banks of the Mississippi. This is a Belgium style brewery with strange named beers like thoprock.
You can contact the brewery for tours. I believe that it is pretty small. Otherwise, you can find their beers on tap at places like the Happy Gnome and Pig & Fiddle.
Check out their Website here: http://boomislandbrewing.com/home.html
3. Harriet Brewing
If you are looking for a brewery in Minneapolis look no further than Harriet Brewing. They have a newly open taproom which has been getting a lot of attention lately. Plus, you can take the light rail there.
They focus mostly on European style beers specifically German and Belgium. It was started in a garage on lake Harriet hence the name and has grown into it’s new space. If you go to an event hosted by them you will notice the local art and music.
They currently have a home brew and label competition going on to help their delivery man Andy who hurt his hand.
Check their website to see when the tap room is open: http://www.harrietbrewing.com/
It is usually open Friday and Saturday nights.
4. Surly Brewing Company
Starting as a home brewer in 1994 Omar Ansari most likely never thought he would own a brewery like he does today. Surly is one of the fastest growing names in beer not only in Minnesota but around the country.
Surly is a term coined by the company that means the anger that is fueled by not being able to find a good beer. Good beer is the name of the game at Surly, who taunts people who don’t drink it by posting their tag line, ” Good beer is an acquired taste, get some.” Omar is credited for working to get tap rooms a commonplace around Minnesota.
Surly is soooo popular that you need to actually sign up online to take a tour of the brewery. Check out the website here and sign up: http://www.surlybrewing.com/brewery/tours.html
5. Lift Bridge Brewery
Their mission is simple. To create fine beers for you to enjoy. I picked lift bridge to make my list simply because Stillwater is a must in the summer. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a beer. Plus, I love the farm girl brew.
You have to sign up online to go on a tour of Lift Bridge Brewery: http://www.liftbridgebrewery.com/tours.aspx
I was inspired by another blogger to write a post about Minnesota Breweries after seeing the wonderful pictures on his page. I hope this helps get more people to visit breweries and try some craft brews that are local. Check back later to see pictures from my brewery tours.
Thanks Cameronkarsten for your post Odin Brewery. http://cameronkarsten.wordpress.com/
Because beer is a beautiful thing
@mplsgossipgirl
mplsgossipgirl 