The Beer Bible

METRO's guide to the best brewpubs, beer stores and beer festivals the Twin Cities has to offer

Image credit: Emily J. Davis

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By: METRO Staff

Homebrewing suppliers

Whether you’re a neophyte or a mad scientist developing a double-bock chocolate wheat optimator (OK, that’s not a real beer…yet), Midwest Supplies, Northern Brewer and Barkingside Co. will feed your hobby with everything from grains to kits to equipment. The three Twin Cities area shops also offer beermaking 101 classes; Northern Brewer runs them from their spankin’ new flagship store on Lyndale, and also posts a plethora of how-to videos (check the website).

Best beer stores

Surdyk’s for foreign brews, Blue Max Liquors for a bat-shit crazy selection that’s 1,100 strong, Four Firkins for an equally bat-shit crazy selection and a knowledgeable staff to boot, Ale Jail for tastings, Big Top St. Paul for sales (they’ve got nicely priced Surly brews if that’s what turns your crank) and Casanova Liquor in Hudson for when you run out of Spotted Cow, which can only be purchased in Wisconsin (if you’ve never heard of Spotted Cow, it’s time to hit the road, Jack).

Beer Fests

Fall brings the Autumn Brew Review, put on by the Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild. Because of its hugely successful 2011 inaugural run, expect the Minneapolis Beer Fest to return in 2012 (but most likely with an earlier August date and a new location closer to the MOA). To bear the cold with a beer in hand, attend January's Beer Dabbler Winter Festival. If snow isn't your thing, visit the Beer Dabbler at St. Paul's Highland Fest in July, or at one of the company's many other sampling events. To burn off the bulge while you imbibe, make a date with Pedal Pub, a 16-person bike ride complete with a keg. Also, keep an eye out for 2012 Surlyfest’s dates and the annual St. Paul Summer Beer Festival tickets—they go fast!

Restaurants with great beer selections
It used to be that an impressive wine list was paramount to a superb dining experience, but the beer-appreciation trend of the past few years means some of our favorite bars and restaurants are expanding their programs. St. Paul neighbors The Muddy Pig and The Happy Gnome were hosting tastings and offering local and microbrew selections long before it was considered cool (Minneapolis residents can now get Muddy Pig-style ambience and selection at the new Pig & Fiddle, run by the brains behind the St. Paul bar). East of the river you’ll also find extensive offerings at The Blue Door Pub, Groveland Tap and Ngon Vietnamese Bistro. Blue Nile, Acadia Café, Nomad World Pub and Republic have made the Seward and West Bank neighborhoods of Minneapolis a destination for beer snobs. Should you find yourself at The Bulldog, Pracna on Main, the 8th Street Grill, Williams, Buster’s on 28th, MacKenzie, Tilia, McCoy’s Public House or the Bryant-Lake Bowl, make sure to allow ample beer-perusing (and, of course, drinking) time.

Beer pairing dinners

St. Paul’s The Happy Gnome has become synonymous with beer pairing dinners and events. The charming gastropub hosts one every month, each featuring a different brewery and a perfectly paired menu by chef Scott Brink. For a more DIY feel, head over to Pairings Food and Wine Market, where customers can pick up to-go meals, cheeses or chocolates and a well-matched brew for each; or dine-in at one of Pairings’ many events.

Brewpubs

You don’t have to travel to Brussels to revel in a brewpub pint; there are plenty to choose from in the Twin Cities. All have full-service restaurants, but Barley John’s menu triumphs with exceptional sandwiches and homemade pizza crust. Others, such as Town Hall Brewery and Great Waters, vie for beer snobs’ approval, as both serve well-crafted, award-winning beer. The Herkimer provides tasty taps in a sports-friendly setting, while Granite City offers convenience with five Twin Cities locations.