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The craft brewing industry in St. Paul is as rich in history as its pints of beer. The first brewery in the city was established in 1848, and they had never exited the game since then. This contributed centuries of expertise in brewing to the city.
Besides the rich brewing mastery of Saint Paul, it is also filled with attractions like the Victorian Buildings on Summit Avenue and the Wabasha Caves. But if you are still hesitating to visit the city, let us tour you virtually to the best breweries in St. Paul.
1. Summit Brewing Company
Summit is an old microbrewery founded by Mark Stutrud in 1986. Mark named it Summit, after the legendary street in St. Paul, since Stutrud brewery was too hard to pronounce. Besides being quite historic, Summit is famous for its fun and adventurous profile. It actively participates in numerous events in Minnesota, like marathons, baseball, and even hosts live music. It also offers film showing at its ratskeller. Additionally, it caters to brewery tours with a guided tasting of four award-winning crafts.
Currently, the Summit’s ratskeller serves more than 20 brews, and most are available year-round; some are seasonal and limited-edition. In warm months, it opens its patio to welcome more guests.
- Crowd Favorite: Sága. A tropical fruit-scented American IPA with 6.4% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Extra Pale Ale (EPA)
- Hop-py Note: Food trucks on-site. Dog-friendly patio. Kid-friendly. Gift shop.
- Fun Fact: Summit Extra Pale Ale won awards five times. Four at the local level and one at the international.
Hours: Open Thur – Sat 3pm – 8pm, Sun – Wed Closed.
Address: 910 Montreal Cir, St Paul, MN 55102
Contact: (651)265-7800 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Black Stack Brewing
Black Stack’s 20,000-square-foot building used to be dilapidated since it was constructed in 1889. It was a former canning factory creating tin cans for brands like Spam and Hershey’s chocolate, but when new packaging for foods arose, the business was forced to shut down. It was the time when Black Stack acquired the place and magically turned it into an industrial and modern brewery building.
Today, Black Stack is actively serving the locals delicious beers and in-house snacks, but guests are free to bring outside food. Food trucks are also available outside of the front door of the brewery.
- Crowd Favorite: Local 755. Soft, juicy, and hazy IPA with 6.8% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: DDH Local 75
- Hop-py Note: Board games. Live music. Private lot parking.
- Fun Fact: Since the building is spacious and Black Stack presents live music, noise-absorbing insulation was installed on the ceilings to lessen the echo chamber effect.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 2pm – 10pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 12pm – 10pm.
Address: 755 Prior Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104
Contact: (651)808-0747 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Bad Weather Brewery
Bad Weather was initially established by the duo Zac and Joe but later on joined by another two members, Andy and Logan. They are knowledgeable in concocting beer with amazing flavor and the right consistency for the finished products. They became a team to be a younger generation of brewers crafting using traditional techniques from nothing but quality ingredients.
Bad Weather has a spacious taproom and patio, and it also has a side room. This room can cater to 90 people and comfortably seat 75 of them. It is available for rent, so it may be the perfect place for your next private party or event.
- Crowd Favorite: The Hopcromancer. A citrusy American IPA with 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Windvane
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly. Board games and arcades. Food trucks on-site.
- Fun Fact: When helping a brewing community, Bad Weather experienced hot, stormy, and treacherous weather, giving inspiration to the company’s current name.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 3pm – 10pm, Fri 3pm – 11pm, Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 9pm.
Address: 414 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Contact: (651)207-6627 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Barrel Theory Beer Company
If you are looking for fun, you must talk about Barrel Theory. This microbrewery offers several board games, cards, and arcades for its guests to play whenever they visit the taproom. Moreover, the taproom has a big television where sports and other entertaining shows are played so you can watch while drinking.
Barrel Theory, actively operating in the Lowertown neighborhood, is near Mears Park, where you can have a lovely walk while enjoying nature. Additionally, there are many local restaurants and diners in the area, so grab a meal and bring it to the brewery, as they don’t serve their beers with food items.
- Crowd Favorite: Rain Drops. A dry-hopped Northeast Style IPA with 7.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Shooter McGavin
- Hop-py Note: Curbside pick-up is available. Outdoor patio. No reservations are needed.
Hours: Open Tues – Thur 3pm – 9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 248 7th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
Contact: (651)600-3422 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Urban Growler Brewing Company
Who said robust beers are only for men and wine for women? Urban Growler definitely doesn’t believe this, as they are the first woman-owned microbrewery in Minnesota. The brewery was founded by Deb and Jill, two successful women working in the corporate and sales industry.
Both of them left their office jobs to pursue brewing, and after years of planning, visiting taprooms, and fundraising, they finally managed to officially open Urban Growler in 2014. Since then, they have served the locals delicious traditional beers blended with pure innovation. Their in-house kitchen also offers a great selection of fresh food items.
- Crowd favorite: Cowbell Cream Ale. A light, crisp, and refreshing cream ale with 5.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: De-Lovely
- Hoppy Note: Dog-friendly. Spacious beer garden. Private event space. Offers takeout.
Hours: Open Tues – Thur 3pm – 9pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 7:30pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 2325 Endicott St, St Paul, MN 55114
Contact: (651)340-5793 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Lake Monster Brewing
Pack up and bring the kids with you to visit Lake Moster Brewing. It is a brewery conveniently situated in the Vandalia Tower of St. Paul. Moreover, Lake Monster is a kid-friendly brewery with a kid corner with toys, children’s books, and a cute mini table your little ones can play on.
Lake Monster Brewing hosts different food trucks every week, so you can munch on delicious bites. You can also bring your food to pair with any brew from the taproom’s 12 beers on tap. Additionally, the brewery fills growlers, so bring a clean growler with you and fill it with your favorite brew.
- Crowd favorite: Empty Rowboat. An American IPA with an intense citrus-hop aroma and contains 6.9% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Como Claw
- Hoppy Note: Free Wi-Fi. Dog-friendly patio and taproom.
- Fun Fact: Lake Monster’s Como Claw Pilsener and Purple Rain won awards from Minnesota’s blind taste test beer competition in 2021.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 3pm – 10pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm.
Address: 550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul, MN 55114
Contact: (651)964-6288 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. Waldmann Brewery
Waldmann’s building was originally established in 1857 but had to close its doors for 154 years, and it opened again in 2017. In its re-opening, the tradition of welcoming people remained along with its original structure and classic German-style brews.
To deliver hearty foods to its patrons and its beers, Waldmann has a wide variety of available food on its menu. From smoked trout, salads, and sandwiches, to mac ‘n cheese, Waldmann will not only quench your thirst for beer but also fill up your stomach.
- Crowd Favorite: Waldmann Pilsener. German-style pilsner with 5.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Dunkel
- Hop-py Note: Hosts private events. Occasional live music.
- Fun Fact: The building of the Waldmann was given a title as the official Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Site in 2015.
Hours: Open Sun – Thur 12pm – 9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 10pm.
Address: 445 Smith Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102
Contact: (651)222-1857 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Wabasha Brewing Company
Wabasha Brewing, established in 2013, was founded by three friends, Chris, Josh, and Brett. The three are actively running the brewery, serving as the managers and head brewers.
Wabasha Brewing’s taproom offers 14 light, hoppy, and malty beers. You can choose any brew you like and pair it with dishes from the food trucks available outside the brewery. Eating and drinking at Wabasha can be further enjoyed by listening to the live music available on various dates. Moreover, the brewery is near the Wabasha Street Caves, so you can check out this massive and historic event hall before or after visiting Wabasha Brewing.
- Crowd Favorite: West Side Popper. A jalapeño flavored cream ale with 6.1% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Red Desert
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly patio. Non-alcoholic options.
- Fun Fact: The building of the Wabasha is a former tin shop established in 1865.
Hours: Open Thue 4pm – 9pm, Wed & Thur 3pm – 10pm, Fri 3pm – 11pm, Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 429 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107
Contact: (651)224-2102 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Dual Citizen Brewing Company
Dual Citizen creates uniqueness among its competitors by being a community-focused brewhouse. It sources all of its ingredients within the community and gives back to the people in the area by participating in charity work. One of its major projects is “The House that Beer Built,” a housing program for the locals.
Dual Citizen has a spacious taproom designed with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light and air. Currently, Dual Citizen features 14 beers. You can pair them with good laughs as Dual Citizen hosts an open mic stand-up comedy.
- Crowd Favorite: Hola, Beaches. A fruity-scented IPA with 5.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Iglehart
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly. Kid-friendly. Cars and bicycle parking. Television.
- Fun Fact: Most of their beers are named after a street in St. Paul or Minneapolis, like Wesly White Chocolate Stout and Osceola Amber Ale.
Hours: Open Tues – Fri 3pm – 10pm, Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 725 Raymond Ave, St Paul, MN 55114
Contact: (651)224-2102 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Clutch Brewing Company
Clutch Brewing is surely passionate about two things– beer and art. It has a mini museum inside featuring the history of Minnesota’s iconic brewing landmarks. The taproom as well is covered by different artworks. This means that by staying in Clutch, your eyes will be filled with greatness, not just your tummies.
Clutch Brewing is up for fun as well. It presents live music and fun patio games during good weather. It offers giant Jenga and tetherball for kids and skateboarding for dogs.
- Crowd favorite: Straight 8. A fruity American IPA with pineapple, mango, and citrus flavors contains 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Hypnotoad
- Hoppy Note: Dog-friendly patio. Kid-friendly. Food trucks.
- Fun Fact: Clutch’s bar was glued with thousands of penny collections covered with epoxy. It was a collection by one of the owner’s Grandfathers.
Hours: Open Wed & Thur 3pm – 10pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm, Mon & Tues Closed.
Address: 928 7th St W #201, St Paul, MN 55102
Contact: (651)340-2523 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
11. Yoerg Brewing Company
Remember the feeling when you visit a nice museum? It entails a great sense of history, and that is the feeling Yoerg created in its brewhouse. Anthony Yoerg founded Yoerg Brewing in 1848, the first commercial brewery in Minnesota. However, Yoerg closed down in 1952 after the death of the last descendant of the founder.
In 2016, the brewery opened up to the public and continued offering its old-style beers. Along with it, old-world treats like Bavarian pretzels, pickled eggs, and charcuterie plates are also served.
- Crowd favorite: Yoerg’s Beer. A light Californian style lager with 4.9% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Yoerg’s Bock Beer
- Hoppy Note: Private parking lot. Merchandise available.
- Fun Fact: Anthony Yoerg was the first brewer to produce Bavarian-style beers in the Midwest.
Hours: Open Mon – Sat 12pm – 9pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm.
Address: 378 Maria Ave, St Paul, MN 55106
Contact: (651)330-2076 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
