Watch CBS News

Best Bars To Get Local Beer In Minnesota

Local beer has become a point of pride, and Minnesota's breweries are working hard to compete with the best in the world. Wisconsin may have a reputation as a beer state, but we're coming up quickly. Where can you go to sample these fine local brews? Here are a few places that will serve them fast and cold, and you can feel better about that buzz knowing you're supporting local business.

Check out a few ideas from last year's list Best Bars With Local Brews In Minnesota when you're done with this one.

beer_-_thinkstock.jpg

Rival House Sporting Parlour
411 Minnesota St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 255-0645
www.rivalhousestpaul.com

Having just opened this summer, Rival House has some pretty stiff competition in a city known for extravagant beer lists. The list is 25 strong, and you'll always find some of the finest local craft brews to choose from. Want to try the latest from St. Paul's Flat Earth or Minnetonka's Lucid? This is a good place to look. You can also try the limited edition 89.3 The Current beer from Schell's in New Ulm. If you're not feeling choosy, check out the St. Paul or Minneapolis beer flights to try selections from of the biggest local beer hubs in one go.

Republic
221 Cedar Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 338-6146
www.republicmn.com

The 7 Corners location is a far cry from the former Sgt. Preston's that occupied the space, and the original location has provided Uptown with beer for years. Republic's beer list is an incredible mix of dark, light, hoppy, seasonal… whatever you like. While you can find craft brews from all across the country on the massive tap list, there are always dozens of brews made right here in Minnesota dominating each section. Looking for seasonal? Try the Indeed Sweet Yamma Jamma from Minneapolis. Lighter? Go with the Bent Paddle Venture Pilsner from Duluth. You'll never grow tired of sampling from this beer list, no matter if you're in Uptown or 7 Corners. Beer flows the same at both places.

Samplers With Beer Tower
(credit: CBS)

The Muddy Pig
162 Dale St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 254-1030

One of Cathedral Hill's many beer bars, The Muddy Pig loves its Minnesota beer. At any given time, you can find selections from 3rd Street (Spring Lake) and Fulton (Minneapolis) as well as the many types of Summit (St. Paul), Surly and Indeed (both Minneapolis), and then always interesting additions like Steel Toe (St. Louis Park). It's not usually as crowded as the nearby Happy Gnome, meaning you can typically enjoy your beer without someone spilling their Belgian Tripel on you.

Related:  WCCO Viewers' Choice For MN's Best Local Beer

Ngon
799 University Ave. W.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 222-3301
www.ngonbistro.com

Ngon is quickly making a name for itself as one of the finest places for food and drink along the Green Line. The dedication to local ingredients means the food is locally sourced, and so is the beer. Not a single one of the taps is wasted at this Frogtown fusion bar/restaurant. Every beer that flows here is Minnesotan, and Ngon always has a selection of the state's finest. The list features everything from Summit (St. Paul) to Surly (Minneapolis) to Bent (Roseville), Bang (St. Paul) and Brau Brothers (Marshall), and you'll never lack variety. There are always seasonal options to choose from as well, constantly changing with the weather.

beer snobs

7 West Taphouse
7 W. Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 727-2494
www.7westtaphouse.com

Duluth is no slouch when it comes to breweries, featuring some of the state's finest beer makers. Fitger's, the godfather of the Duluth beer scene, mingles with new breweries like Canal Park and Bent Paddle. Where to go to try these (and so many more) all in one place? Head to 7 West in downtown. This spot put Duluth on the map as a go-to for beer snobs and casual drinkers alike, and there is no shortage of brews from all over the state. You don't have to stay stuck in the Twin Cities to find awesome beer.

Related: 5 MN Breweries Win Big At World Beer Cup

Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.