Brewings Vol. 42 Issue 3 | Page 8

Rapids- Grand Rapids. Very near Klockow, a 2-fer. Really love this place, has a great feel to it. Wood fired pizza oven and the bowl of Ramen we had was worthy of a last meal on Earth. The wings were to die for. Quite a selection of beers and they were all spectacular. Met the brewer who had worked for Alaskan brewing and he came back to his hometown to start his own brewery. Hayes Public House- Buffalo. Maybe not the most unique building, but it is my personal taste that Mr. Hayes is making some of the best beer's in the state and I'd go as far as to say, “the best”. This place rocks the brews. Irish themed. Small space. Usually music and food trucks. Schram Haus- Chaska. This place is a little gem, in my eyes. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It is located on a bit of a hill overlooking the Minnesota river valley A bike trail is nearby and you can take a 20 mile round trip ride along the Minnesota river and hit 2 other breweries, (Badger Hill and Shakopee) which we did. The building is spacious and has garage doors with a large patio. I was quite pleased to have their Foreign Extra Stout, just don't see that style very often. Bau Haus- Minneapolis. The building is in an industrial area, which housed an old Foundry. An open and large space with Miller plenty Caves of windows, on nice the patio, tourailyards nearby. For us this place has an "it" factor to it. Artsy, hip, progressive, friendly. Waldmann's- St. Paul. Located in a Civil war era building, a throw-back in time. I think the beers here are some the best in the state, just spot on good!! The food is German in heritage. They serve spaetzle, sausages, kraut and all the trimmings that go with it. A must stop. While you are here walk down the alley a few steps and visit another brewery. (Bad Weather) A 2-fer stop. Clutch- St. Paul. Located in the old Schmidt Brewery, which we toured sometime back in 1990 when it was active. This made it so fun to go back. Main floor is a food hall with most anything you want. Upstairs is Clutch, spacious open lounge area to relax. How can you not love the history here, while enjoying some great beer and delicious food. Just a spectacular venue. Loony's Brew- Ranier. This place is certainly off the beaten path and a hole in the wall. It sits on the shoreline of Rainy Lake. The building was an old meat market. Kato The floor slopes Show toward 2017 the lake in order to make it easy to wash out. A little 2-and-a-half-barrel brewery. It had this “Caribbean Island" feel to it, not forced, natural. Miller Just a tap laid-back room feel. The owner/brewer was present and started jamming with his guitar on the patio doing his best Tom Waits impression. The doors were open and the warm summer breeze drifted in. Couple of regulars hanging out. This was just one of those perfect moments in time, never to be re-created. That's why we like it. Castle Danger- Two Harbors. To sit here and take in the history of the town and the lake is worth the trip alone. Very environmentally friendly, rain garden and native plants. Sit on the patio and enjoy some stunning views of the lake and the iron ore docks where ships are loaded. For a different experience, take the train from Duluth to here, the scenery is spectacular. The beers here, are as great as the lake is. Fitger's- Duluth. I'm a lover of history and you will find it here. This old brewery sits right next to the lake with a bike trail nearby. We have ridden the bike trail many times and of course the lake views are spectacular. There are many shops inside along with the brewery and taproom with food. We always Grain Belt Cowboy hats find it to be a great experience to visit these old historic places and take it all in. You will not be disappointed here. Page 8