Saint Paul’s Beer History
The city's first brewery opened in 1848 (ten years before Minnesota became a state), and it hasn't stopped brewing since.
Minnesota Beer Day
November 1, 1850, marks the date that John Orth founded Orth Brewing, the second brewery in the Minnesota Territory. By 1980, Orth combined his brewery with three others to create the Minneapolis Brewing and Malting Company. After five years, the announced the creation of the Grain Belt Beer in the Minneapolis Tribune— a beverage that became so popular that the company rebranded to Grain Belt Brewing.
Overtime, the iconic beer left the state, but it eventually returned to be produced at the historic Jacob Schmidt Brewery.
Today, the beer is brewed by Schell's Beer, the second oldest family-owned brewery in the country.
Cheers!
Minnesota Beer Day celebrates the history, tradition, and culture, and community of beer across the state. To commemorate, Minnesota Breweries and brewpubs are offering special events, tours, talks, and discounts on November 1.
Minnesota Beer Day offers an opportunity for camaraderie across the industry and the state—a day for beer lovers everywhere to go out, celebrate, and support their local taproom, brewpubs, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.Bob Galligan, the Director of Government and Industry Relations at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild.
Saint Paul Beer History
Saint Paul's beer history is rooted in the city's German heritage and its role as a significant brewing hub in the United States. The city's robust beer history is all the more surprising when you consider the enforcement of Prohibition was penned here. In 1919, Senator Andrew Volstead wrote the Eighteenth Amendment in his offices located in what is now the Landmark Center. The United States Congress passed the amendment after Woodrow Wilson vetoed it. Learn more about prohibition-era history and more on one of many Saint Paul historic tours.
Tours
