1. Lake of the Woods (Warroad)
Minnesota's northernmost brewery pours its Lakeside Kolsch and Forgotten Lake Blueberry Ale along the Warroad River just before it flows into the big lake. Lowbrewco.com
2. Boathouse Brewpub (Ely)
This mainstay of the popular Northwoods post is great for picking up plastic growlers or crowlers of Double Portage IPA or Blueberry Blonde before heading into the Boundary Waters. Boathousebrewpub.com
3. Voyageur (Grand Marais)
This harborside North Shore brewer doesn't just rely on its scenic rooftop patio and clever food menu. Its seasonal brews are often locally sourced, and its year-round Devil's Kettle IPA and Palisade Porter are well above basic. Voyageurbrewing.com
4. Castle Danger (Two Harbors)
This one needs no introduction, since its Castle Cream Ale is one of Minnesota's most popular beers. Its North Shore taproom is a great place to sample the other brews, including the forestry-funding White Pine IPA. castledangerbrewery.com
5. Portage (Walker)
Destroyed in a fire in January 2019, the Leech Lake area brewer has reopened with an expanded patio (good timing!) and its same unique approach, including a slow-fermented Sidetracked Pilsner. Portagebeer.com
6. Big Axe (in Nisswa)
A small-batch brewpub on Main Street in the sweet Brainerd Lakes area town, its brews are indeed big and sharp, including a variety of sours and a coffee stout sourced from a local roastery. Bigaxebrewing.com
7. Cuyuna (Crosby)
Like the surrounding bike trails laid out around abandoned mines, this downtown storefront brewery names many of its beers to honor local iron culture, including the Ranger Strong ESB and Yawkey Ale. Cuyunabrewing.com
8. Copper Trail (Alexandria)
Two local "Alex" boys opened a new taproom around the corner from the Big Ole statue in 2019, serving ample fruit-infused beers and an amber rye named after the legendary Runestone. Coppertrailbrewing.com
