Best Brewery Tours In Minnesota

Minnesota has blown up with small breweries and craft beers over the last decade. While most of them turn out fantastic beers, only some of them make for fantastic places to sit down and enjoy the taproom. Even fewer offer tours of the brewery with the promise of sampling the final product at the end of the tour. The tours are a perfect way to get excited over the effort and detail that go into making your favorite summer beverage. With all of the options available for ingredients and brewing processes, it is amazing to watch the perfect combination of events in action. Enjoy a brewery tour and finish it off with your new favorite beverage.

Bauhaus Brew Labs
1315 Tyler St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 276-6911
www.bauhausbrewlabs.com

Check out this gem in Northeast Minneapolis and you won't be disappointed. Bauhaus brewers consider themselves beer "artists" and put a lot of time and craftsmanship into their art. Named for a German art school, Bauhaus creates their own twist on classic German beers. Making the heavy style of German beer more drinkable, Bauhaus is a great place to hang out and have a brew. They offer tours of the brewery for folks to see where the magic happens up close and personal. Tours are given on the first Saturday of each month and cost an entire $5 per person. However, free samples of all brews are included in the tour to those of drinking age. Bauhaus is family friendly as well, welcoming dogs and children to visit and watch their parents consume beer. Try the undisputed favorite Pilsner, Wunderstuff, or just get the seasonal selection for a guaranteed winner.

Bent Paddle Brewing 
1912 W. Michigan St.
Duluth, MN 55806
(218) 279-2722
www.bentpaddlebrewing.com

Established in 2013, Bent Paddle Brewing makes some of the most refreshing and delicious beers in the state. Located in Duluth, the brewery uses the waters of Lake Superior to craft traditional, yet drinkable, beverages for beer loving consumers. Tours of the brewery are done every Saturday for free, although pre-registration is required. Remember to wear your beer-drinking shoes, because samples are part of the tour! Try any of their delicious beers, but don't miss out on sampling their Extra Special Bitter Ale, 14° ESB, a winner at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival.

Summit Brewing Company
910 Montreal Circle
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 265-7800
www.summitbrewing.com

Again, free tour equals free samples. Reservations are required, but it's pretty easy to get in and get a gander of some real beer being brewed. One of the most recognized craft beers in Minnesota, Summit churns out a fantastic variety of delicious beers year-round. Just off the bike trail, Summit Brewing Company is a great place to relax and drink a beer out of their large selection of seasonal brews and standard favorites. Grab a Summit Saga IPA or enjoy the completely organic Hopvale, one of my personal favorites.

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Harriet Brewing Co.
3036 Minnehaha Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 315-4633
www.harrietbrewing.com

Harriet Brewery knows that it takes more than just a bunch of hops and fermentation to make a good beer. Their taproom and brewery is decorated in style. With an artist's perceptions and creativity on board, they have transformed their space into a full work of art. Tour the brewery on Wednesdays and Saturdays and enjoy the fantastic art that covers the walls and permeates the beer. Listen to live music throughout the week as well — bands perform in the taproom quite often to lend a fun atmosphere to the enjoyment of a fun beverage.

Surly Brewing Co.
520 Malcolm Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(763) 999-4040
www.surlybrewing.com

Learn the story behind one of the most popular "hipster" brews in Minnesota with a tour of the Surly Brewing Company. The dream of one man to start a brewery has come true in Minneapolis, and Surly is one of the best breweries around. Tours are done Tuesday through Saturday on a first-come, first-serve basis. They cost $4 a person but include samples, a personal tasting glass and an experience to remember. Stop upstairs when you're done and enjoy a meal at the Brewer's Table, a full service restaurant with delicious Surly beer on tap.

Related: Best Beer Gardens In Minnesota

Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for the last 10 years. Her hobbies include exercising, driving kids around, watching Minnesota sports, and reading self-help literature. Examiner.com.