Best outstate brewery: Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Before it even opened, it was clear that Duluth's Bent Paddle was going to be something special. The brewing team of Colin Mullin and Bryon Tonnis came to it with 20 years of professional brewing experience between them — a rarity in today's frenzied world of brewery openings. Flagship beers include a first-class pilsner, an award-winning amber ale, a delightfully juicy IPA and a smooth, chocolatey black ale. Quality across the board. Add to that a lineup of solid seasonals and specialties, including a barrel-aged black ale with a double shot of cold-press coffee and vanilla, and you have the recipe for beer-nerd nirvana. 1912 W. Michigan St., Duluth, 1-218-279-2722, bentpaddlebrewing.com

Best of Minnesota 2016

More from Best of Minnesota: Drink