With the University of Minnesota having plant breeding/evaluation programs for apples, grapes, hops and barley, it's no wonder that in recent years Minnesota has seen a explosion of local craft wineries, breweries, cider works, and distilleries.
Excelsior, MN
Excelsior Brewing Company (4 miles/10 minutes from conference hotel) 421 3rd Street, Excelsior, MN. A microbrewery right in the heart of Excelsior, a small town on the southern shore of Lake Minnetonka. Their unique brews celebrate life on the lake including "Big Island Blonde" and "Bridge Jumper IPA".
Victoria, MN
Enki Brewery ( 4 miles/10 minutes from conference hotel) 1495 Stieger Lake Lane, Victoria, MN. The decor is warehouse, but the beers are great. An AHL staffer, who shall remain nameless, says you must try the cacao porter.
Waconia, MN
Parley Lake Winery ( 6 miles/ 15 minutes from conference hotel) 8280 Parley Lake Road, Waconia, MN 55387 Parley Lake Winery's tasting room is located in an 1885 barn, where you can taste local wines made from their acres of Minnesota-developed grapes. Try the Barn Quilt Red.
Schram Vineyards Winery and Brewery 8785 Airport Road, Waconia, MN If you can't decide between wine or beer, enjoy tastings of both at Schram's.
Sovereign Estate Winery - at their indoor or outdoor bar enjoy a sampling of wines. For groups of 8 to 16 with reservations, Sovereign Estate has their own tour bus and will pick you up and give you the best winery/brewery/distillery tour of the area, visiting Sovereign Estate and any 2 others including Excelsior Brewery, Enki Brewery, Schram vineyards, J. Carver distillery, Parley Lake Winery, and Waconia Brewing company.
J. Carver Distillery- 1820 Mill Lane, Waconia, MN 55387 Tours and Tastings on Fridays and Saturdays, reservations recommended see http://www.jcarverdistillery.com/tours/
Waconia Brewing Company 255 Main Street Waconia, MN 55387. Winner of many Best-of-Craft-Beer Awards. Some local flavors include Russian Imperial Stout, East Bay Maple Brown Ale, and Raspberry Tart Ale.
Greater Twin Cities Area:
Minneapolis
Moto-i Ramen and Sake House 2940 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Moto-i Ramen and Sake House is the first saki brewery to open outside of Japan. They feature namazake (unpasteurized sake).
Sociable Cider Werks 1500 Fillmore Street, NE Minneapolis, MN 55413. Sociable Cider Werks creates tart, dry, and flavorful ciders by using local apple cider brewed with hops for bitters and grains for body. Unique.
Surly Brewery Beer Hall and Restaurant 520 Malcome Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Immensely popular, numerous great beers, and no reservations.
