A decade ago, you could reliably navigate local beer scenes with the help of a few beer websites. With nearly 10,000 breweries in operation today, it’s challenging to distinguish between them as a visitor to a new city or state. Which breweries are must visits? Where should I eat? Are there tourist destinations I can’t miss?
With the Craft Brewers Conference 2022 set to touch down with full force in Minneapolis, Minnesota in early May, the team at Beer Edge has been in touch with a bevy of local brewers and industry folks to help guide your travels.
We start this four-part series off with our local guide Jill Pavlak, the co-founder and co-Head Honcho at Urban Growler Brewing Company (2325 Endicott St, St Paul, MN 55114) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Urban Growler is the first women-owned and operated brewery in Minnesota. Pavlak and her co-founder Deb Loch met at the now closed Happy Gnome beer bar in St. Paul (once a haunt of my own when I lived nearby) and they toured tap rooms around the country together before deciding to open Urban Growler in 2014 with the motto, “We’re beer for you.” Urban Growler’s engaging light brick taproom, located in what is called the Creative Enterprise Zone, is a short 10 minute drive from the convention center on the western side of St. Paul and will play host to the Pink Boots Society on May 3rd from 6 to 8p during the conference.
Take A St. Paul Bus And Walking Tour
Pavlak describes the local beer scene as having “something for everyone!” If you visit Urban Growler, there are several breweries within walking distance, including Dual Citizen Brewing (725 Raymond Ave, St Paul, MN 55114), BlackStack Brewing, The Lab Brewery (767 N Eustis St Suite 115, St Paul, MN 55114), Lake Monster (550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul, MN 55114), and Surly Brewing (520 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414), and Bang Brewing (2320 Capp Rd, St Paul, MN 55114) is right next door. During the CBC, there will also be a Pink bus taking folks from the conference to the brewery, the Lab, and Dual Citizen and back. “You can take a walking mural tour as you stumble your way to all our unique taprooms,” Pavlak says.
Eating In Minneapolis
Pavlak has lots of favorites in Minneapolis for hungry conference attendees.
-Soul Bowl in the North Loop (520 N 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401) was named in the Top 50 restaurants by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. “The collard greens, sweet plantains, jerk chicken, and cajun salmon are all good.” Great for gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
-Billy Sushi (116 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). Located a short walk from Soul Bowl and just near the Warehouse District, Billy Sushi is a stylish take on sushi that also serves cocktails. Pavlak recommends the Chef’s Choice.
-Pimento Jamaican Kitchen & Rum Bar (2524 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404). Located on the popular “Eat Street” section of Nicollet Avenue just south of Downtown that is packed with a diverse range of restaurants over a few blocks. It has been described as “Minneapolis’s Grand Tour of international food” and “The Yellow Brick Road of ethnic flavors.” Pavlak recommends the curry chicken and curry veggies.
-Jasmine Deli (2532 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404). Also part of Eat Street, the Jasmine Deli is a tiny eatery focused on classic Vietnamese dishes. Pavlak recommends staying traditional with the banh mi with pork.
Drinking In Minneapolis
Pavlak recommends visiting all of the breweries and taprooms in downtown Minneapolis because “it’s easy to do.” She admits to having “a soft spot for Fulton Brewing (414 N 6th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401) because when we were a ‘brewery in planning,’ they were very encouraging of our journey. We are also grateful to the owners of The Freehouse Brew Pub (701 N Washington Ave #101, Minneapolis, MN 55401) for employing Jill during the ‘gaining industry experience’ days.” She also recommends stopping by Day Block Brewing (1105 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415) near U.S. Bank Stadium on the east end of downtown and the classic and stalwart Town Hall Brewery (1430 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454) down the block in Seven Corners. Both offer great food and beer, Pavlak notes.
Avoid The Mall of America
“The number one place I hear people want to go when they land in Minneapolis is the Mall of America,” Pavlak notes. “I prefer visiting cultural destinations versus chain stores and restaurants.” She recommends people check out Cultural Destinations (www.culturaldesinations.org/culturalmalls) to find maps to some great local food and shops.