The Top Three Microbrews from the Best Microbreweries in Minnesota

Minnesota is well populated with several microbreweries and a strong history in brewing. Some of the breweries have been around since 1860 (Schell's Brewing Co.) or the 1870's like Cold Spring Brewing. There are also much more recent (none the less excellent) breweries like hugely popular Surly Brewing Co. and Flat Earth Brewing Co., both founded in the last six years. With that short history in mind, here's my top three microbrews in the state of Minnesota.

Surly Furious

Surly's Furious is an outstanding American India Pale Ale. When poured it has a rich amber color (no doubt from the aromatic & medium crystal malts used) and off-white head. It has a fruity, flowery scent to it which it draws from the aromatic scent drawn from the Ahtanum hops along with the aromatic hops. It also has a nice after taste. Surly, particularly Furious, has become something of a local phenomenon because of the high quality of their brews and in your face look, feel, and marketing. You can walk into most local microbrew sellers here in the Minneapolis area and look for Surly, but count yourself lucky if find any on the shelf. This new upstart seems to be gaining popularity across the country and soon may not qualify as a microbrewey.

Flat Earth Belgian-Style Pale Ale

Flat Earth Brewing Co. may be the newest brewery in Minnesota being established in 2007 but they have a great selection of brews. My personal favorite from this microbrewery is the Belgian-Style Pale Ale. The Flat Earth Belgian has a golden ,nearly copper, and honey like color with a hint of sweetness in the taste that supports the color. The after taste is dry and bitter but pleasantly so. This is a great all around beer and will go well with just about any kind of food and situation. I really enjoy this on a warm summer day while watching baseball, it just seems to be the prefect environment for this beer. This is one of those beers you have to actively count the bottles, or you'll end up having too much.

Lake Superior Brewing Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout

The Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout is on this list for those of you who love a dark beer. Well, it does not get much darker or more thick than an oatmeal stout. Lake Superior Brewing won the 2002 World Brewing Championship with the Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout, which attests to it's quality. This stout has a distinct coffee and chocolate flavor that leaves a toasty after taste in your mouth. It's so good that you may want to replace your morning coffee with a pint of Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout. Don't be put off by the darkness of this microbrew, it's much more smooth and easy to drink than most beers of similar make.

Sources:

Beeradvocate.com
Flat Earth Brewing
Surly Brewing
Lake Superior Brewing