Minnesota Celebrates Its Brewing Heritage On Beer Day This November

UNDATED (WJON News) -- On Sunday, you are encouraged to raise a pint and celebrate the 3rd annual Minnesota Beer Day.

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Bob Galligan is the Director of Government and Industry Relations for the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. He says, once again this year, they have created a special pint glass for the day.

A local artist has produced a pretty cool design.  Not all of our members are going to be selling the glass; it's up to them if they want.  Not all of our members are going to be running promotions.  We have an interactive map on our website.

Bad Habit Brewing in St. Joseph is selling the glass for $30 with all-you-can-drink refills. That's valid on Minnesota Beer Day only.

Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake is selling the glass for $25, which unlocks unlimited pours all day long.

Galligan says, after an explosion in new local breweries in the early 2000s, things have leveled off in recent years.

Breweries are closing; that's an issue that we cannot pretend is not the case.  But we also have breweries opening, and I don't think a lot of people realize that.  We are kind of in a state of steadiness.

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild's website indicates there are five new breweries planned in Minnesota; they are located in Biwabik, Ely, Chisholm, Rockford, and St. Paul.

St. Cloud Metro area breweries
Granite City Food & Brewery
Bad Habit Brewing Company
Pantown Brewing Company
Beaver Island Brewing

Challenges Facing the Industry

Galligan says some issues facing local breweries include the rising cost of goods and labor, as well as the global decline of alcohol consumption.

Minnesota Beer Day History

In 2024, the Minnesota House and Senate passed resolutions making November 1st "Minnesota Beer Day". The date was chosen to honor the state's most historic brand, Grain Belt, whose story began on November 1st, 1850, when John Orth founded the second brewery in the territory. Grain Belt is currently owned by the oldest brewery in the state, Schell's Brewery in New Ulm.