Minnesota's Favorite Cheap Beer: A Local's Guide

Minnesota is home to a variety of cheap beers, from adjunct lagers to IPAs, and everything in between. The state's rich brewing history, dating back to the mid-1800s, has paved the way for numerous breweries, both old and new. So, what cheap beer do they drink in Minnesota?

One popular option is Grain Belt Premium, an adjunct lager first brewed by the Minneapolis Brewing Company right after Prohibition. It has a distinct hop aroma and luscious malt flavour, leaving a sweetened corn taste on the tongue with a clean and crisp finish. In fact, Grain Belt Premium was ranked as the number one cheap beer in America by deadspin.com. Other cheap beers that are commonly consumed in Minnesota include Hamm's, Summit Brewing Company's Extra Pale Ale, and Surly Brewing Company's Bourbon Barrel-Aged Darkness.

Grain Belt Premium

The beer has a thin body with a slight emphasis on hops and fermentation over malt. It offers a light, sugary sweetness that is balanced by low and lingering bitterness, with tart apple flavours adding a lifting high note. This cheap and cheerful beer is perfect for a hot summer day and can be enjoyed at backyard gatherings or while boating on one of Minnesota's many lakes.

If you're looking for an affordable and tasty lager, Grain Belt Premium is a great choice. It's a Minnesota classic that will leave you wanting more. So, if you're in the Twin Cities, be sure to stop by a dive bar and give it a try!

Hamm's Beer

Hamm's Brewing Co. was one of the breweries that paved the way for the many breweries in Minnesota today. It is no longer made in the "land of sky-blue waters", but it is still refreshing.

In a list of 36 best cheap beers in America, Grain Belt Premium, another beer from Minnesota, took the number one spot. However, one source says that Hamm's is the beer to grab after a day of fishing with your buddies.

Summit Brewing Company

The brewery moved to a new location on the west end of St. Paul, overlooking the Mississippi River. It was the first new brewery built from the ground up in St. Paul since before Prohibition. Summit Brewing purchased an all-copper, authentic German brew house from the Hürnerbräu Brewery in Ansbach, Germany, to replace its original brewing equipment.

In addition to the Extra Pale Ale, Summit Brewing Company offers a range of year-round, seasonal, and limited-release beers. Some of their other popular beers include the Summit Dakota Soul, a traditional Czech-style Pilsener; Summit Skip Rock, a white ale; and Summit Keller Pils, an award-winning, unfiltered German-style Pilsner. They also offer non-alcoholic options, such as the Nialas Non-Alcoholic IPA and the Nialas Non-Alcoholic Irish-Style Dark.

Schell's Brewing Company

Schell's offers tours of its historical brewery grounds, including the Schell mansion, dating back to 1860. The tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with varying time slots, and cost $10 for adults, while children under 12 can join for free. The tour includes a visit to the Museum of Brewing, a gift shop, and the old-world style Rathskellar Tap Room. After the tour, visitors can enjoy a complimentary beer tasting, where they can sample a variety of Schell's beers and receive a souvenir glass.

The brewery is described as a "must-see" for those visiting New Ulm, offering a "wonderful tour" and a "fantastic" and "informative" experience. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoor Bier Garten under the walnut trees during the summer months, with live music on Sundays.

In addition to Grain Belt Premium, Schell's Brewing Company has a range of other beers, including Schell's Dark, an American amber lager described as "the lightest, dark beer you will find", and Schell's Pils, a classic German Pilsner that was once a favourite among brewers across Minnesota.

Surly Brewing Company

During the early 2010s, Surly experienced rapid growth, with production of 21,000 barrels in 2012, 28,000 barrels in 2013, and 47,757 barrels in 2015. The company's brewing system in Brooklyn Center is a 30 beer barrel (BBL) Sprinkman, while the Minneapolis location has a 100 barrel system. The beer hall in Minneapolis features many events, including live music and trivia.

In addition to its beers, Surly Brewing Company also has a strong commitment to giving back to the community. Their charitable arm, Surly Gives a Damn (SGAD), contributes to organizations that improve the quality of life in their local communities through donations, partnerships, and volunteer events.

The Surly Brewing Company also faced a challenge when employees announced their intention to unionize in 2020. The company responded by laying off 150 employees and closing its beer hall, pizzeria, events center, and retail store in Minneapolis. However, the vote to form a union failed by a single vote in October 2020, and the company reopened in June 2021.

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