Minnesota Farm Breweries in the Midwest
Traveling through Nebraska may offer limited opportunities to experience Minnesota farm breweries firsthand, but understanding the nuances of this unique brewing trend can provide valuable insight into the regional food and drink culture of the Upper Midwest. Located primarily in the western and southwestern parts of the state, Minnesota farm breweries capitalize on the local agricultural industry to craft innovative beverages that reflect the state's rural landscape. These businesses often function as wineries, distilleries, or farms in addition to their primary operation as breweries.
One of the state's pioneers in this niche, Summit Brewing Company, is situated in St. Paul, a short distance from the state capitol building. Although Summit Brewing does not strictly function as a farm brewery, its interest in local agriculture and emphasis on exploring regional flavors paved the way for other, more specialized businesses to emerge. The flagship beer, Extra Pale Ale, features locally grown crystal and pale malts. Founding brewer Mark Stutrud studied malting and brewing in Europe and the United States before opening Summit Brewing in 1986.
A more exemplary model of the Minnesota farm brewery is the Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais, situated in the far north of the state along Lake Superior's shores. Known for its handcrafted beers and beautiful natural surroundings, Voyageur Brewing uses local barley and malted oats to create a unique series of beers that celebrate regional ingredients. Its winter seasonal "Palisade Porter," for instance, incorporates local cherry wood-smoked malts for a bold, complex flavor.
Beyond these examples, Minnesota's regulations, shaped by the Surly Bill, fostered an environment that allowed farm breweries to grow and proliferate. Signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton in 2011, the bill effectively removed previous restrictions on the sale and distribution of beer, facilitating the development of smaller-scale breweries. Farm breweries, which need to grow 50% or more of the ingredients used in their beers, are allowed to sell growlers and pints on-site without adherence to some of the stricter rules that govern other brewery operations.
Also impacted by state law, breweries must meet the requirements to qualify as a "farm brewery" rather than a standard "microbrewery." The classification stipulates that breweries classified as farm breweries be located on land it also farms – or pays an entity to farm – and that its recipe incorporates a minimum of 50% locally-grown barley and other raw ingredients. Many farm breweries choose to pursue organic certification as an indicator of dedication to environmental stewardship.
Given the diversity of Minnesota farm breweries, identifying a single representative example of their offerings is difficult. Schell's, in New Ulm, highlights its affinity with the regional landscape through production beers such as Deer Brand, its line of lagers, and distinctive seasonal collaborations like the Peaches and Cream ale that highlight late summer and early fall products from the state. More characteristically representative of an authentic Minnesota farm brewery might be Bank Brewing Company in Hendricks, founded in the early part of the decade.
Through their emphasis on maintaining close ties with the agricultural industry and preserving traditional craftsmanship in brewing, Minnesota farm breweries make essential contributions to the region's rich gastronomic heritage. An exploration into their history, key representatives, defining practices, and policy frameworks provides an in-depth understanding of an interesting aspect within Nebraska's regional culture.
These Minnesota-based businesses and others across the Great Plains region demonstrate how brewing practices have come to showcase expressions representative of these distinct cultural subsets, reflecting social attitudes toward production and cuisine on an environmental spectrum.
One of the state's pioneers in this niche, Summit Brewing Company, is situated in St. Paul, a short distance from the state capitol building. Although Summit Brewing does not strictly function as a farm brewery, its interest in local agriculture and emphasis on exploring regional flavors paved the way for other, more specialized businesses to emerge. The flagship beer, Extra Pale Ale, features locally grown crystal and pale malts. Founding brewer Mark Stutrud studied malting and brewing in Europe and the United States before opening Summit Brewing in 1986.
A more exemplary model of the Minnesota farm brewery is the Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais, situated in the far north of the state along Lake Superior's shores. Known for its handcrafted beers and beautiful natural surroundings, Voyageur Brewing uses local barley and malted oats to create a unique series of beers that celebrate regional ingredients. Its winter seasonal "Palisade Porter," for instance, incorporates local cherry wood-smoked malts for a bold, complex flavor.
Beyond these examples, Minnesota's regulations, shaped by the Surly Bill, fostered an environment that allowed farm breweries to grow and proliferate. Signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton in 2011, the bill effectively removed previous restrictions on the sale and distribution of beer, facilitating the development of smaller-scale breweries. Farm breweries, which need to grow 50% or more of the ingredients used in their beers, are allowed to sell growlers and pints on-site without adherence to some of the stricter rules that govern other brewery operations.
Also impacted by state law, breweries must meet the requirements to qualify as a "farm brewery" rather than a standard "microbrewery." The classification stipulates that breweries classified as farm breweries be located on land it also farms – or pays an entity to farm – and that its recipe incorporates a minimum of 50% locally-grown barley and other raw ingredients. Many farm breweries choose to pursue organic certification as an indicator of dedication to environmental stewardship.
Given the diversity of Minnesota farm breweries, identifying a single representative example of their offerings is difficult. Schell's, in New Ulm, highlights its affinity with the regional landscape through production beers such as Deer Brand, its line of lagers, and distinctive seasonal collaborations like the Peaches and Cream ale that highlight late summer and early fall products from the state. More characteristically representative of an authentic Minnesota farm brewery might be Bank Brewing Company in Hendricks, founded in the early part of the decade.
Through their emphasis on maintaining close ties with the agricultural industry and preserving traditional craftsmanship in brewing, Minnesota farm breweries make essential contributions to the region's rich gastronomic heritage. An exploration into their history, key representatives, defining practices, and policy frameworks provides an in-depth understanding of an interesting aspect within Nebraska's regional culture.
These Minnesota-based businesses and others across the Great Plains region demonstrate how brewing practices have come to showcase expressions representative of these distinct cultural subsets, reflecting social attitudes toward production and cuisine on an environmental spectrum.
