Five favorite Minnesota beers

By Rachel Hutton Wed., Aug. 10 2011 at 9:00 AM

New brews: five local beers we love.

Think globally, drink locally, right? Minnesota's recent craft brew revolution has given us tons of options.

Here are five of our favorite Minnesota beers that have found their way to local taps in the past few years:

5. Lift Bridge Farm Girl
During the summer months, we like to drink a Belgian saison, and Lift Bridge's Farm Girl is especially good at bringing depth of flavor (hints of fruit and spice) to a light, easy-sipping beer. Watch yourself, though, as this innocuous-seeming brew isn't really a post-lawn-mowing thirst-quencher--it packs a substantial 6% alcohol punch.

Seasonal variants include the lemongrass-infused Kimono Girl and the Indian-influenced, cinnamon-y Chai Girl.

4. Brau Brothers Moo Joos
Consider Moo Juice an upgrade of Brau's original Cream Stout: a smooth, dark brew rich with flavors of chocolate, coffee, and malt. As any good oatmeal milk stout should be, Moo Juice has a slight sweetness and pleasant, creamy mouthfeel.

3. Flat Earth Belgian Style Pale Ale
Our favorite Flat Earth is the seasonal-only funky, sour beer, Rode Haring Flanders Ale, but if we're limiting our picks to year-rounders, the Belgian Style Pale Ale also deserves a shout-out. It starts out slightly sweet and fruity, while just enough hops give it a crisp, slightly bitter finish. The seasonal, apricot-infused version is even tastier.

Tags:

Beer, Minnesota Beer

We Recommend

JJD

Make mine a Fulton Sweet Child of Vine. The new brewery at 414 Sixth Ave. N., opens this fall. I can't wait to buy a growler and a pint fresh from the source.

JJD - Minneapolis

WaupacaGirl

No contest. Pass me a pint of "Sweet Child of Vine" courtesy of Minneapolis' own Fulton Beer (www.fultonbeer.com). Thems a tasty brew!

Craig

"century-old Grain Belt Brewing" That right there is pretty funny.

Crazies

How do you include Lift Bridge but exclude Summit

Rachel Hutton

Easy, because this list focuses on newer, year-round bears. Summit EPA has been around since '86, so I figured most readers know it well. If I were to give Summit some props, which I'm happy to do, as they certainly deserve them, I'd say that I've been very much enjoying several of their limited released Unchained Series beers as well as their summer Hefe Weizen. Any others you particularly recommend?

Entity in MN

If you are looking for new, get a bottle of The Auroch's Horn, from Olvade. A cousin of mine was a brewer for Summit for a while, but has struck off on his own from a farm in Southeast MN. I have had a few bottles, and it is very good. More info:http://olvalde.com/TheAurochsH...

Entity in MN

"Summit EPA" is not a cool sounding name, though. ;-)

I absolutely prefer to drink locally. Surly Furious, Summit EPA, and Flat Earth Angry Planet are my happy trifecta. But what about best Minnesota beers in a can? When I am out at the park disc golfing or tailgating a Vikings game, I prefer not to carry glass? Sure Surlys are great, but rather expensive. I'm not a fan of the regular Grain Belt. That leaves Schell's Deer Brand when you can find it, which I like, but gets monotonous. Are there other options? I miss my cans of Gluek Honey Bock...

David Van Cleve

Try the 21st Amendment beers, most of which are canned in Cold Spring. Yep, owned by some folks in San Francisco but brewed by the very same folks who brewed that tasty, tasty Honey Bock!