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Twin Cities Beer: A Heady History for the American Palate

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Twin Cities Beer: A Heady History (American Palate)

by Scott Carlson

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Language	:	English
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The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have a long and storied history of beer brewing, dating back to the mid-1800s. Today, the region is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with over 100 breweries to choose from. In this article, we'll explore the history of beer in the Twin Cities, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a major player in the American craft beer scene.

The Early Years

The first brewery in the Twin Cities was founded in 1851 by German immigrant John Schmidt. Schmidt's brewery was located in Minneapolis, and it quickly became a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. In the years that followed, several other breweries were founded in the Twin Cities, including the Hamm's Brewery, which would eventually become one of the most successful breweries in the United States.

The early Twin Cities breweries were primarily focused on producing lager beers, which were the most popular style of beer at the time. However, in the late 1800s, the popularity of ale beers began to grow, and several Twin Cities breweries began to produce ales in addition to lagers.

The Twin Cities beer industry was booming in the early 1900s, but Prohibition put a halt to all beer production in the United States. During Prohibition, many of the Twin Cities breweries were forced to close, and those that remained open had to find other ways to make money. Some breweries produced near beer, which was a low-alcohol beer that was legal to sell during Prohibition. Others produced soft drinks or other non-alcoholic beverages.

The Post-Prohibition Era

After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the Twin Cities beer industry began to rebound. Several of the breweries that had closed during Prohibition reopened, and new breweries were founded. The post-Prohibition era was a time of great innovation in the Twin Cities beer scene, as breweries began to experiment with new styles of beer.

In the 1980s, the craft beer movement began to gain momentum in the United States, and the Twin Cities was one of the early centers of this movement. Several craft breweries were founded in the Twin Cities during this time, including Summit Brewing Company, Surly Brewing Company, and Fulton Beer Company. These breweries helped to popularize craft beer in the Twin Cities, and they also helped to lay the foundation for the region's current craft beer scene.

The Twin Cities Craft Beer Scene Today

Today, the Twin Cities is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with over 100 breweries to choose from. The region's breweries produce a wide variety of beer styles, from traditional lagers and ales to more experimental beers. There are also several beer bars and taprooms in the Twin Cities, where you can sample beers from a wide variety of breweries.

The Twin Cities beer scene is constantly evolving, and new breweries are opening all the time. If you're looking for a great place to sample some of the best craft beer in the United States, then the Twin Cities is definitely worth a visit.

Some of the Best Twin Cities Breweries

Here are a few of the best Twin Cities breweries:

Summit Brewing Company
Surly Brewing Company
Fulton Beer Company
Indeed Brewing Company
Lupulin Brewing Company
Modist Brewing Company
Wild Mind Ales
Dangerous Man Brewing Company
BlackStack Brewing Company
Barrel Theory Beer Company

The Twin Cities has a long and storied history of beer brewing, and today the region is home to a thriving craft beer scene. With over 100 breweries to choose from, there's sure to be a beer for everyone in the Twin Cities. So next time you're in the mood for a great beer, be sure to check out one of the Twin Cities' many breweries.