4 Amazing Breweries in the West Twin Cities Metro

Photo Credit: Steel Toe Brewery

It’s no secret that Minnesotans love craft beer. The passing of the “Surly Bill” in 2011 paved the way for an explosion in the number of craft breweries by making it possible for onsite sales of beer for brewers that produce smaller amounts of beer. Fans of locally produced craft beer have been reveling in the many new options, from West Coast style IPA hop bombs to classic German styles and everything in between. Here are a few of the local breweries that can be found in our service area in the west Twin Cities metro. If you are headed out to visit one of these fine establishments, consider taking a 10/10 Taxi (952-936-0010) and ensuring you have a safe and sober ride.

Excelsior Brewing

421 3rd St. Excelsior, MN 55331

Excelsior Brewing’s self-described mission is to celebrate the lifestyle and history of Lake Minnetonka and Excelsior. They offer four beers, XCLR Pale Ale, Bitteschlappe a traditional brown Munich Ale, Big Island Blonde, and my personal favorite Bridge Jumper IPA. Excelsior has an ace up their sleeve in brewmaster Bob DuVernois, who has over 16 years of brewing experience.

Visit their taproom Thursday or Friday from 4:00pm-10:00pm or Saturday from 12:00pm-10:00pm. Tours are available Saturdays from 12:00pm-2:00pm and start every 30 minutes.

www.excelsiorbrew.com

Lucid Brewing

6020 Culligan Way. Minnetonka, MN 55345

Lucid’s motto is “Clarity in thinking. Excellence in drinking”. This has garnered them a rapidly growing following of loyal fans. Lucid breaks the mold of many craft brewers by offering a 4.2% ABV beer appropriately named Air which packs plenty of taste into each highly sessionable bottle. Lucid has other varieties available to suite any palate, including seasonal offerings so make sure to check often to see what they have brewing.

Lucid has events at their brewery and limited tours are available on a first come first serve basis so sign up on their website: http://www.lucidbrewing.com/

Bonus: Lucid has an alternating proprietorship with other local craft brewers Badger Hill brewing and Bad Weather brewing so check them out as well while you are here.

Surly Brewing

4811 Dusharme Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429

Surly is a monster in the local craft brewing scene. As previously mentioned, the bill that Surly championed allowed many other breweries to follow in their footsteps and follow their dreams of producing their own brews. Surly’s reputation has grown to the point where their seasonal beers, especially Darkness and Wet have become very difficult to obtain. Legions of Surly fanboys and girls camp out at the brewery on release days hoping to get their hands on some of the more elusive brews. Surly will be opening a new taphouse location in Minneapolis next year but in the meantime visit them in their original location Wednesday through Friday from 3:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday from 12:00pm-9:00pm. Check Surly’s website for tour information.

www.surlybrewing.com

Steel Toe Brewing

4848 W. 35th St. St. Louis Park, MN

Located in a nondescript building in a light industrial park in St. Louis Park, Steel Toe Brewery has been attracting a loyal fan base with a very solid selection of beers including their Size 7 IPA. In a scene that some might say has become oversaturated with hop heavy beers; Size 7 unapologetically embraces the imbalance and makes for a memorable beer, certainly one of my favorite discoveries of the past year. Steel Toe’s taproom is cozy and usually packed wall to wall with brew aficionados. A rotating cast of food trucks ensures that there are always great eats available to pair with whatever suds you chose to drink. Taproom is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00pm-8:00pm, Friday from 3:00pm-10:00pm and Saturday from 12:00pm-10:00pm.

www.steeltoebrewing.com