Minneapolis: Craft Brewery Tour with Unlimited Tastings & Pickup

Summary

Minneapolis brewery tour with unlimited pours and local stories

You’ll ride between Minneapolis and St. Paul’s best breweries with a local guide handling everything—from pickup at your downtown hotel to endless craft beer tastings and cold water when you need it. Expect laughter, new flavors (some you won’t see coming), and small moments that stick with you long after the last pour.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the low hum of conversation as we climbed into the minibus outside the Royal Sonesta in downtown Minneapolis—people swapping names, someone cracking open the cooler to stash a six-pack for later. Our guide, Sarah, had this easy way of making everyone feel like we’d already met. She pointed out murals as we drove through Northeast, said they changed every year (“sometimes overnight if you blink,” she joked). We pulled up at Falling Knife Brewery and that warm yeasty smell hit me before I even stepped inside. I’m not usually an IPA person but Sarah nudged me toward their hazy one—she wasn’t wrong.

Fair State Co-op was next. There’s something about walking into a place where everyone seems to know each other—a couple regulars waved at our group like we were just late to the party. The bartender explained how it’s Minnesota’s first cooperatively owned brewery (I didn’t realize that was a thing), and poured us something tart made with wild plums from up north. Not what I expected, honestly, but it grew on me after a few sips. Someone in our group tried to pronounce the beer’s name in German; half the bar laughed and clapped anyway.

By the time we got to 56 Brewing, the sun was sliding behind some clouds and it felt like everyone had loosened up—maybe it was the beer or just being carted around together. Sarah suggested Crispy Business (it really is as light as she promised) but I ended up sharing a Lake Hopper with a guy from St. Paul who swore it tastes better on Fridays. There’s bottled water in the cooler if you need it, which I did after round three. We talked about which brewery surprised us most—honestly, I still think about that wild plum sour sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Minneapolis craft brewery tasting tour

• Visit Falling Knife brewhouse
• Taste beers at Falling Knife
• Visit Fair State Co-op brewery
• Taste beers at Fair State Co-op
• Visit 56 Brewing
• Taste beers at 56 Brewing

Top questions

How many breweries do you visit on this Minneapolis craft brewery tour?

The tour includes stops at three different craft breweries in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Is hotel pickup included for this brewery tour?

Pickup and drop-off are provided at Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown.

Are all drinks included during the tour?

Yes, all-you-can-drink craft beer tastings are included at each stop.

How long does the Minneapolis brewery tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but expect several hours including travel between breweries.

What should I bring for this brewery tour?

You’ll need a photo ID showing you’re 21 or older; everything else is provided.

Is food provided during the tour?

No meals are mentioned; only beer tastings and bottled water are included.

Can I store purchased beer during the tour?

Yes, there’s a cooler on board where you can store any beer purchases until drop-off.

Is this Minneapolis brewery tour suitable for people who don’t drink alcohol?

The focus is on craft beer tasting; non-alcoholic options aren’t specified in the info provided.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup and drop-off right from Royal Sonesta downtown, all-you-can-drink craft beer tastings at three top breweries across Minneapolis and St. Paul, bottled water when you need it, space to stash any beers you buy along the way in a cooler on board, plus transport by minibus with an easygoing local guide who keeps things rolling smoothly until you’re back downtown again.