Best Beer Buying Options In Minnesota

Minnesota has a lot to offer, from its 14,380 lakes to its fine alcoholic beverages. If you're looking to buy beer in the state, you're in luck! Minnesota has a variety of liquor stores, breweries, and even online options to choose from. In recent years, there has been a debate over the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores, with some lawmakers pushing for more convenient options for residents. While Minnesota ended a long-standing debate in 2017 by allowing liquor stores to open on Sundays, the sale of wine and strong beer in grocery and convenience stores is still prohibited. However, there are many dedicated liquor stores and breweries across the state that offer a wide range of beer options. Additionally, online platforms like Drizly provide same-day delivery of beer, wine, and liquor straight to your door. So, whether you're looking to shop in-store or online, Minnesota has plenty of options for beer enthusiasts.

Beer delivery services in Minnesota

Minnesota has strict liquor laws that vary across counties, but it is now legal to order alcohol online. There are several delivery services that operate in the state, such as Drizly, which offers same-day delivery of beer, wine, and liquor. Another option is Minibar Delivery, which delivers wine, liquor, beer, and more to your home in as little as 30-60 minutes. They have been serving the state for over five years and charge a $5 delivery fee.

Total Wine & More is another provider that delivers wine, beer, and spirits to Minneapolis. They offer a range of popular beers, including White Claw Hard Seltzer, Corona Extra, Guinness Draught, and Stella Artois.

When using these services, you can browse thousands of products from local stores, select your favourites, and check out online or via an app. You can also specify your location to see what is available for delivery to your area.

Minnesota's liquor laws

Minnesota allows the sale of alcohol for off-premise consumption on Sundays. The permitted hours for off-premise alcohol sales are Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm and on Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. Additionally, it is now legal to order alcohol online in Minnesota, with companies like Drizly offering same-day delivery of beer, wine, and liquor.

In terms of the types of alcohol that can be sold, Minnesota has some unique regulations. While liquor stores are allowed to be open on Sundays, the sale of wine and strong beer is prohibited in grocery and convenience stores. This means that grocery and convenience stores can only sell beer with a low alcohol content of 3.2%. However, there is an ongoing debate about changing this law, as many find it inconvenient and prefer to purchase wine and beer alongside their groceries.

Minnesota also has some specific regulations for liquor stores. For example, Minnesota grocery stores can sell strong beer, wine, and liquor if they do so in a separate space with a separate entrance. This requirement has been a topic of discussion, as some lawmakers are pushing for a change that would allow these beverages to be sold without the need for a separate space.

It's important to note that Minnesota has a rich tradition and culture, and its liquor laws reflect that. While the state has made progress in updating some of its Prohibition-era laws, there are still ongoing discussions and efforts to further modernise these regulations to better serve the needs and preferences of its residents and businesses.

Beer available in grocery stores

As of 2019, Minnesota grocery stores are only permitted to sell beer with a low alcohol content of 3.2%. This means that strong beer and wine sales are prohibited in grocery and convenience stores. However, grocery stores can sell strong beer, wine, and liquor if they do so in a separate space with a separate entrance.

Some Minnesota lawmakers have been working to change the law to allow grocery stores to sell strong beer and wine without the need for a separate space and entrance. State Sen. Karin Housley, for example, has argued that 45 other states allow for strong beer sales in grocery stores, and that Minnesota's laws are outdated and a relic of the Prohibition era.

If you are looking to purchase beer in a Minnesota grocery store, be aware of the current restrictions on alcohol content. Beers with an alcohol content of 3.2% or lower, such as some non-alcoholic beers, should be available for purchase.

Additionally, it is now legal in Minnesota to order alcohol, including beer, online. Services like Drizly offer same-day delivery of beer, wine, and liquor to your door. This can be a convenient option if you are unable to find your preferred beer in a grocery store due to the alcohol content restrictions.

Remember that Minnesota's laws can vary among counties, so it is always a good idea to check the specific regulations in your location.

Liquor stores in Minnesota

Minnesota has strict liquor laws that vary across counties, but it is now legal to order alcohol online for same-day delivery. Grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 8 am to 10 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

There are 176 cities in Minnesota that own or operate liquor stores, with 18 of them in the metro area. The top five cities with the highest gross sales in 2022 were Lakeville, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, and Apple Valley. These municipal liquor stores made a collective $432.1 million in sales in 2022, with profits going back to the cities for public services.

While liquor stores in Minnesota are now allowed to open on Sundays, wine and strong beer sales are still prohibited in grocery and convenience stores. This has been a topic of debate, with some lawmakers pushing for change. Small liquor stores are concerned about the potential impact of expanding the number of stores selling wine and beer, while others argue for the convenience of one-stop shopping and the need to update Prohibition-era laws.

Breweries and brewpubs in Minnesota

Minnesota is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with 271 breweries in the state as of 2020, ranking 15th in the country. The state's breweries range from small nanobreweries and microbreweries to large multinational conglomerates.

Junkyard Brewing Co.

Located on the border with North Dakota, Junkyard Brewing Co. has built a reputation for its heavily hopped double IPAs, juicy fruited sours, and pastry stouts. Its Moorhead taproom is just three miles from Drekker Brewing Co., another highly sought-after brewery.

BlackStack Brewing

A hidden gem in St. Paul, BlackStack Brewing is owned and operated by the Johnson family. The taproom is built into an old canning factory, featuring 20,000 sq ft of space that includes board games, trivia nights, live music, and sports games. The beer selection ranges from the classic to the crazy and hype, such as Wild Times, a bourbon, rum, and wine barrel-aged golden sour with passion fruit.

Castle Danger Brewery

An underrated destination brewery located in the small town of Two Harbors on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Castle Danger specialises in "dangerously good ales", capturing the spirit of the iconic lake and the surrounding nature in its beers.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Based in Duluth, Bent Paddle Brewing takes its name from the bent canoe paddle that co-founder Bryon Tonnis used to mix his mash. The brewery is committed to sustainability and produces solid takes on classic beers with a few innovative surprises, such as 14°, an amber ale, and Kanū, a session pale ale.

Bauhaus Brew Labs

A German-inspired brewery in Northeast Minneapolis, Bauhaus Brew Labs offers a range of beers pleasing to both German and American palates, including Bestoked, a West Coast-style IPA, and Lounge Lizard, a hazy IPA. They also have a non-alcoholic beer line and gluten-free hard seltzer series.

Fair State Brewing Cooperative

Minnesota's first cooperatively-owned brewery, Fair State allows fans to buy into the brewery and get involved in every aspect of the brewing process, from picking fruit to developing recipes. The tap list includes a wide range of styles, from barrel-aged English-style barley wines and IPAs to saisons, hazies, and mixed-fermentation beers.

Fulton Brewing Company

An institution in Minnesota, Fulton Brewing is a classic American craft beer success story, having grown from a South Minneapolis garage in 2009 to the city's first taproom in 2011. It produces some of the state's most popular beers, including Sweet Child of Vine IPA and The Lonely Blonde.

Lift Bridge Brewing Company

Based in Stillwater, a town on the St. Croix River, Lift Bridge Brewing exemplifies Minnesota, often harkening back to the state's rural roots through its beers. Its flagship beer, Farm Girl Saison, incorporates golden malts, wheat, and oats for a true taste of the Midwest.

Modist Brewing

One of Minnesota's most innovative breweries, Modist aims to buck the trend with bold beers and a unique taproom. Its beers feature intriguing ingredients, such as Space Junk, a double dry-hopped cream IPA with Citra, Galaxy, and Strata hops, and Dreamyard, a beer brewed entirely from oats and wheat malts.

Summit Brewing Company

A staple of Minnesota craft beer, Summit is the godfather of the scene, producing popular beers like Extra Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout. It also stays up to date with limited releases, such as Great Northern Porter and Elderflower IPA.

Surly Brewing Co.

When people think of Minnesota and beer, Surly is the name that often comes to mind. With hits like Furious and Pentagram, Surly has a devout following and a massive 50,000-sq-ft facility, including a full-service restaurant, outdoor beer garden, and patio with yard games.

Urban Growler Brewing Company

The first women-owned and Queer-owned craft brewery in Minnesota, Urban Growler is a beacon in the industry. Its flagship beer, Cowbell Cream Ale, is a thirst-quenching lawnmower beer, and its annual Pride beer, Let's Dance, a lavender lemon summer ale, celebrates the queer community.

Brühaven Craft Co.

Brühaven Craft Co. offers a great atmosphere, with a sidewalk patio for the summer and live music, trivia nights, and axe throwing inside. It's also dog-friendly!

56 Brewing

56 Brewing

Frequently asked questions