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Author Topic: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?  (Read 8101 times)

Offline ukolowiczd

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Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« on: February 10, 2012, 05:47:06 pm »
Going to Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago in late June. Can I get some brewery info? Any must sees/drinks?

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2012, 08:29:19 pm »
I think Lazy Monk In Eau Claire is must to see.
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Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2012, 06:41:21 am »
Lakefront in Milwaukee is an absolute must-see tour.  I think they have tours all day Saturdays and it's like 5 bucks for 5 pints or something like that.

People have said similar about Sprecher but I've still never been there.

Goose Island is my favorite place in Chicago.  I was there a couple of weeks ago and they seriously had 31 different beers to sample.  A huge chunk of those were Belgians and sour ales, if you're into that sort of thing at all.

I also love Piece in Chicago.  Great pizza too (NOT Chicago-deep-dish but more of a crackery crust).

I haven't ever really hung out in Minneapolis, sorry I can't help much there.  But definitely get some 6-packs of the Summit beers.  The flagship EPA is probably my favorite.
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Offline ukolowiczd

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2012, 07:01:30 am »
These are awesome suggestions. Looks like I'll have a lot of "research" to do!

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2012, 07:17:15 am »
I have liked the beers at Revolution and Haymarket in Chicago.

Can't say much about the other towns.  Not too far out of your way is New Glarus if you are driving.
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Offline BrewingRover

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2012, 04:01:12 pm »
Revolution is my favorite place in Chicago these days. Bacon popcorn, for goodness sake! It's also outside of the tourist zone, so you can get a feel for what the rest of the city is like. And easily reached on the El.
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Offline tonian

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2012, 04:29:46 pm »
Surly, in Brooklyn Center (north of mpls) be sure to book tours in advance. Summit was a pioneer in the craft beer scene and is a St. Paul mainstay. Harriet brewing is a one year old brewery that makes some tasty german and belgian style brews. Fulton brewing turns out some great beers too.

Offline phillamb168

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2012, 02:43:25 am »
Revolution in Chicago is a MUST. I am still a goose island superfan but Revolution beats it hands down. Go hungry, there's a ton of really really great food.
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Offline barliman

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2012, 08:00:43 pm »
I'll second the comment to visit Surly and Summit Brewing and I recommend adding Town Hall brewery in Minneapolis. 
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Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2012, 09:11:51 pm »
Some of the newer craft breweries with taprooms in Minneapolis are Harriet and Fulton.  Harriet's taproom is cool and laid back.  You can chat with the brewers too.  Fulton's taproom is almost complete; it will be open by June.

Town Hall and Town Hall Tap are excellent.  Also, there's a restaurant that is about to open in Minneapolis called The Butcher and the Boar.  It's going to feature house smoked meats/game, charcuterie, 30 craft beer taps, a wide bourbon selection, and an outdoor beer garden.  Definitely worth checking out when it opens, which should be by June.
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Offline theoman

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2012, 12:43:24 am »
Twin Cities area: +1 for the Town Hall. I once considered it my local and I make a point of stopping in whenever I go back (which is getting more and more rare). Great Waters in downtown St. Paul always seems to get overlooked, but I love the place. Their "thing" is cask beers and they do (or did, I haven't been there in a while) them well. They never jumped onto the big beers bandwagon. One more is a new-ish place way the hell out in New Brighton, just off the freeway called Barley John's. Interesting little place with interesting not-so-little beers, that one.

Offline MDixon

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2012, 06:43:34 am »
If they still have it, take the Miller tour. Nothing like seeing a 980bbl 4 story brewhouse!
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Offline ssstraub

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2012, 12:28:06 pm »
WI:
New Glarus. Self-guided, high-tech automation for a craft brewery)
Lakefront. A bit zany and fun.
Miller. It's free and interesting, especially if you go during production during the week.

MN: Surly

IL: Not too sure. Half Acre, Goose Island?

IN: 3 Floyds. I know you didn't say Indiana, but if you're in Chicago, it's like 30 minutes away.

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2012, 02:23:10 pm »
In Chicago, both Metropolitan Brewing and Half-Acre are pretty close to each other in the Ravenswood and Andersonville neighborhoods.

Plus Koval Distillery is right next to Metropolitan, so you might could visit them too.

And they're walking distance from the Hop Leaf, which is one of the best bars ever if you like Belgian beers.  They also have awesome mussels steamed in beer.
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Offline qmi6

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Re: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago breweries?
« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2012, 08:21:02 am »
Lakefront (Milwaukee) - As everyone else has said.
New Glarus (New Glarus)- Out of your way but a neat place.
Capital Brewing (Madison) - Great bocks.
Ale Asylum (Madison) - Only one tour a week (Saturday) but the bar is where you want to be anyway.

Just driving though Wisconsin you will see plenty of signs for tours.  Lots of small places have beer available in the local community.