There are worse ways to spend a weekend.
The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild held its annual conference in downtown Minneapolis last week, which culminated in a blind tasting of more than 450 beers from some 90 breweries statewide to name this year’s winners of Minnesota Brewers Cup.
Axe Man IPA from Surly Brewing Co. was named the 2024 best in show. The brewery, which also won the America IPA category, is credited with starting Minnesota’s craft beer boom. It began in Brooklyn Center in 2005, eventually moving to its flagship Minneapolis beer hall and brewery in 2014 (520 Malcolm Av. SE., surlybrewing.com).
“This is an awesome beer community,” said Ben Smith, Surly’s head brewer. “All of us deserve this award because we all elevate each other to make better beer and work together.”
The other best in show winners showcase both old and new.
Arbeiter Brewing Co. of Minneapolis took second place with Tokki, its Korean rice lager. Tokki won the German and international pale lagers category, one of two Arbeiter wins. Head brewer Aaron Herman took a moment to thank, well, everyone. “It’s so good to be here among so many amazing brewers and so many amazing people and such an amazing industry,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who pours their heart and soul into helping us make beer.” Arbeiter (3038 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., arbeiterbrewing.com) opened in late 2020.
Rounding out the best in show was Sága Imperial IPA, a winner in the strong beer category, from St. Paul’s Summit Brewing Co., which has been brewing since 1986 (901 Montreal Circle, summitbrewing.com). Brewer Paul Hedlund said it was a team effort: “This represents solid measures of collaborative efforts,” he said. “We have a great brewing crew and we’re backed up by a sound quality team. We’re really proud of this beer.”
In addition to the best in show awards, Minnesota beers were recognized in 23 categories. The top three in each style were given awards; all first-place winners advanced to the best in show round. Here are the first-place winners in each category. For a full list, go to mncraftbrew.org.
