Minneapolis, MN

Found along the northern-most stretches of the Mississippi River, the “Twin Cities” of Minneapolis and St. Paul together form the largest metropolitan area in Minnesota. Home to a massive population of Scandinavian and Central European settlers, the Twin Cities still feature a lot of European influence that can be found in the cities’ architecture, culture, cuisine and, of course, breweries.

While the rest of the nation saw its regional beer producers disappear throughout the mid-20th Century due to Prohibition or consolidation, Minnesota’s brewing spirit persisted. Two breweries that have been in operation since the 19th Century—August Schell Brewing Company and Cold Spring Brewing Company—are still producing beer today. The state’s affinity for good beer naturally led to the emergence of craft breweries, starting as early as the 1980s. By 2010, a handful of independent breweries were open in the Twin Cities metro. Today, well more than 50 breweries or brewpubs serve locals and visitors alike.