Two of the Best Beers in the Country Are Brewed Here in Minnesota

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Two beers brewed right here in Minnesota have just been named some of the best brews in the entire country.

Even though I'm behind the Cheddar Curtain over in Wisconsin, the state that's long been proud of its tradition of brewing beer, I've been saying for a while now that some of the best craft beers can be found right here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And now you don't just have to take my word for it, either.

Craft beer IS big here in the Bold North. In fact, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild says there are currently over 180 craft breweries scattered around our fine state, brewing some of the best beer around.

READ MORE: Minnesota Is the Only State To Sell THIS Strange Beer

Earlier this year, three of these Minnesota breweries made the list of the 50 Top Producing Craft Beer Breweries in the Nation, according to the Brewers Association. Shout-out to Summit Brewing in St. Paul, Schell's Brewing in New Ulm and Surly Brewing in Minneapolis for making that list, which is based on beer sales.

Now, when it comes to particular beers, two Minnesota craft breweries were just honored at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), which is the nation’s premier beer festival and competition. The competition took place in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, September 23, 2023. And out of the 9,298 beers that were entered, two brews that earned a GABF medal were brewed here in the Bold North.

SEE THE LIST: MN Breweries on 2023 Top 50 Producing Craft Breweries list

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild says a GABF medal is recognized around the world as a symbol of brewing excellence and is among the most coveted in the craft-brewing industry. So big shout-out to this year's Minnesota GABG winners:

Gold: The Freehouse, Minneapolis: “No. 68 Red Lager”—Rye Beers

The Freehouse brew pup and restaurant was also named the Brew Pub Brewer of the Year at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival, and this beer also won a Best in Show award earlier this year at the statewide Minnesota Brewers Cup awards.

Bronze: Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis: “Lemonade”—American Fruit Beer

Now if you'd like to check out some amazing craft beer yourself, you can certainly head to any of those breweries. Or, you can keep scrolling to find over 20 incredible taprooms all located within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities. Plus, check out 20 ways to open a beer bottle-- without a bottle opener!

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