You know what they say: Warmer months are for iced cold beer and spending time with friends. So why not do that in one of the local breweries right in your backyard? Minneapolis has an abundance of Minnesota-owned and operated spots that make for the perfect place to relax with a brewski. The next time you’re needing a cold one, check out one of these nine taprooms that have something for everyone.
Bear Cave Brewing Co.
Bear Cave Brewing brings together incredible craft brews, scratch cooking and inviting event spaces. Open seven days a week with 52 available taps serving beer, cider, wine and cocktails. With cutting-edge iPourIt taps and Toast’s Mobile Order & Pay menu, guests are free to enjoy everything that’s offered on their own terms, without compromising customer service. Bring your pups along to the dog-friendly patio and deck. Just grab a tap card at check-in and you’re ready to explore.
1201 Mainstreet, Hopkins | bearcavebrewing.com | 952-426-3214
Fulton Beer
Fulton’s motto is “Ordinary Guys Brewing Extraordinary Beer.” It started out in 2009 with four guys and a garage in the Fulton neighborhood of Minneapolis, and now includes a team of 40, five year-round brews, a variety of hard seltzers and several different rotating series’. The taproom, located right by Target Field, is the perfect place to hang with friends and has a full kitchen menu.
414 6th Ave. N, Minneapolis | fultonbeer.com | 612.333.3208
Inbound Brew Co.
Inbound Brew Co. is a craft brewery and taproom in the North Loop of Minneapolis. The 12,000-square-foot taproom, a converted recycling facility, features German beer hall-style seating, enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-around bar, and a private mezzanine and barrel room available for rent. In warmer months, the doors are left open and seats are added to the sunny patio. Order from one of 30 craft beer tap lines, rotating seltzers, and seasonal slushies.
701 N 5th St., Minneapolis | inboundbrew.co | 612-294-0375
La Dona Cerveceria
La Doña is a Latin-influenced craft brewery reflecting the Latin experience in Minnesota and promoting accessibility to the craft beer industry. The Minneapolis location offers a large bar with amazing bartenders, cold craft beer, food, plenty of space indoors and outdoors, mini-futbol field, relaxing patio, and live music on Saturdays. The La Doña also hosts multiple public and private events throughout the year within the space.
241 Fremont Ave. N, Minneapolis | dameladona.com | 612-315-4613
LynLake Brewery
LynLake raised the curtain in 2014, bringing new life to the century-old neoclassical Lyndale Theater in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis. From traditional to trendy, they brew beer that you want to drink. The taproom features a pop-up kitchen with a rotation of cuisine from guest chefs and food trucks taking up residency every few months. Because there’s nothing better than beer and sunshine, the rooftop patio has ample space to relax and kick back with friends.
2934 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis | lynlakebrewery.com | 612-224-9682
Sisyphus Brewing
Sisyphus offers craft brews in Minneapolis with a weekly rotating tap list, and comedy shows with local and national comedians. You can bring your own outside food to pair with their beers, however, they do have a food truck schedule during the warmer months. The taproom is family-friendly and the outdoor patio is pup-approved.
712 Ontario Ave. W #100, Minneapolis | sisyphusbrewing.com | 612-444-8674
Steel Toe Brewing
STB opened its doors as a family-owned brewery that curates six year-round brews and several barrel-aged beverages that make an appearance regularly. The team continues to expand the menu each year by adding to its brewing capabilities. A spacious taproom and outside patio area allow for large group gatherings or hanging with a small group of friends. Pints, sampler trays, 750ml bottles and growlers are for sale at the taproom.
4848 W 35th St., St. Louis Park | steeltoebrewing.com | 952-955-9965
Utepils
Nestled on the banks of Bassett Creek between the Harrison and Bryn Mawr neighborhoods of Minneapolis, Utepils' 18,000-square-foot site boasts an iconic Fernweh Taproom and a serene outdoor Beer Garden. When you arrive, you'll be free to immerse yourself in a unique craft brewery experience. They offer a wide variety of delicious beers, perfect for any taste. And with the live music, weekly events, and special festivals, there's always something new to discover. Grab a drink, find a spot in the beer garden and enjoy.
225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis | utepilsbrewing.com | 612-249-7800
Wooden Ship Brewing
Like most small-scale breweries, Wooden Ship started as a group of friends brewing on a five-gallon system in the garage. Since those humble days of “garage nights” and tastings with friends, Wooden Ship has grown into a seven-barrel commercial brewing system in Minneapolis with a goal of brewing high-quality beer that is both true to style and outside of the box. The taproom is a beautiful little space that is inviting, intimate, and well-suited for the neighborhood.
3300 W 44th St., Minneapolis | woodenshipbrewing.com | 612-354-3300