We’ve been counting down the months, weeks, and days to this year’s Autumn Brew Review like kids waiting for the first snow. There’s a certain kind of energy that comes with it—part reunion, part pilgrimage—that captures everything we love about Minnesota’s beer scene. It’s one magical day each year when the whole community gathers in one place—Boom Island Park—and every tent feels like a chance to catch up with old friends, discover something new, and see what the state’s brewers have been drumming up all year. This year’s tap lists are as unpredictable and fun as ever—maple stouts and smoked lagers sitting side by side with playful curveballs like a Mountain Dew–inspired lager and fresh hop IPAs. So, we put together a list of the beers we’re most excited to try—a shared lineup we unknowingly matched on, plus a few personal picks that show where our tastes differ this year. Without further ado, here are the drinks we’re most looking forward to trying this year:
Joint Picks:
Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s Two Bobs From Bloomington (Collaboration with Nine Mile Brewing)
Ryan: For me, there are a few styles of beer that really signal the coming of fall, and one of those is a Vienna lager. The malt character shines without being overpowering or too sweet, and they’re still crisp and very drinkable. Bent Paddle has made this beer before – I’ve yet to try it – and they’re truly one of the masters of clean, classic beer styles in the state. Hard to not be excited about this one.
Pat: Vienna lagers are one of those beer styles that I’m always excited to try no matter where I see it on the menu. So, when I saw that Bent Paddle, one of the best purveyors of classic styles in the state would be bringing one I hadn’t seen before I knew it would be going on my list. In addition to being a style I love from a brewery I love, knowing that it’s also a collaboration beer just upped my excitement.
Blacklist Brewing Company’s Golden Apple Ale
Ryan: I feel like there was a short-lived moment years back when apple ales and the sort-of-made-up graf were all the rage; most of them were terrible. It seems as though they’re making a bit of a slow resurgence, and today’s are already better than where we left them in the past. This specific one is a taproom exclusive of Blacklist’s Golden Ale that they infused with apple, and as I typically enjoy Blacklist’s taproom exclusives – especially the infusions like this – this one definitely belongs on the list. I just hope it stays with today’s styling instead of yesterdays.
Pat: There are two things I’ve very intrigued in when it comes to this beer – will it taste like a weird cider (like so many apple beers do) and what apples did they choose to infuse it with (and what flavor will it impart)? I’m personally hoping it tastes more like an actual golden ale that has notes of sweet apples more as an extra flavor note, instead of one where the beer falls to the background.
Castle Danger Brewing’s Fresh Hop 25
Ryan: Look, I’m going to be honest with you, dear reader, for a moment: I used to cite IPAs as my favorite style. But, nowadays I typically don’t drink many of them because I truthfully do not like where the style has gone – the incessant hop burn present in so many, the ultra-green character, the modern hops that all only have tropical and stone fruit, the complete lack of balance of bitterness – I just have a hard time finding enjoyment in a large number of them. That being said, Castle Danger typically makes IPAs that are more stylistically what I prefer from the past, and fresh hop beers tend to be softer, brighter, and less of the crazy dry hop greenness. Don’t fail me now, Castle Danger.
Pat: Fresh hop beers haven’t really been something we’ve seen a lot of since about 2017, but this one sounds interesting. It showcases the new experimental PINK hops, a variety that claims to showcase not only the common citrus and stone fruit, but also flavors of honey, apple, and vanilla.
Falling Knife Brewing Company’s Awaken – DESCENDER
Ryan: A couple of years ago we went to Falling Knife and had a cherry ice cream imperial stout that was so good that we bought a few bottles of it (still holding on to a couple today, in fact). We’ve had several big stouts from Falling Knife before and after that, and as a whole they tend to make some seriously good stouts (there have been a couple of duds mixed in there, to be fair, too). This one came out of nowhere and was just announced on their socials a day ago (as of this writing) as being, “a 12.6% ABV Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Aged in St. Elmo Old Fashioned RTD Barrels With Maple, Black Walnut, Cherry and Orange Peel. We set this beer aside for 22 months in a few @StElmo Old Fashioned Barrels with Maple and Black Walnuts, patiently waiting for the beer to pick up the flavors of the bourbon cocktail the oak barrel left behind…” Say no more, FK family, I’m in. RIP, Tom.
Pat: Falling Knife has a reputation in the Twin Cities scene for their hazy IPAs, but to me where they really shine is in their big, dark beers. The notes on Awaken are absolutely absurd, combining maple, black walnuts, cherry, and orange peel. I’m fully expecting it to be reminiscent of a super rich and elaborate old fashioned.
Heavy Rotation Brewing Company’s Do the Brew
Ryan: I don’t even like Mt. Dew, but a light lager infused with Mountain Dew sounds whacky enough to put on the list of things to try. It brings to mind the Mountain Dew inspired seltzer that the late Alloy Brewing Company made years ago, and that thing was fantastic. This one really is either going to be quite enjoyable, or quite weird – either way, I’m here for it.
Pat: Mountain Dew inspired drinks are nothing new to the Minnesota alcohol scene; but, every previous offering has been in the form of a hard seltzer. It will be really interesting to see how Heavy Rotation combined the sugary lemon lime soda with a traditional lager.
Jack Pine Brewery’s Bonfire S’Mores Stout
Ryan: So, here’s the thing: we’ve been making beer for well over a decade at this point, and have made a number of S’Mores beers across a range of styles. I know how hard it is to pack those flavors in there in a way that doesn’t come off as artificial, and to my palate a lot of s’mores beers carry that BSG s’mores extract flavor and not much else. But, when you get one that is done well they are absolutely magical. I’m a fan of the flavored options that Jack Pine brings – Bloody Mary with Jalapeno and Dill, anyone?! – so my hopes on flying high on this one.
Pat: There are few treats that feel more fall-like than the s’more, so how could we talk about a beer festival in the fall and not be excited for a s’mores stout? My only hope for this beer is that they found ways to impart the chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker flavors with real ingredients. So often s’mores beers taste artificial and like they were flavored solely with extracts, and I’m really hopeful this one is the opposite.
Luce Line Brewing Company’s 2024 Barrel-Aged Winter Solstice
Ryan: We have a bottle of this in the cellar currently but haven’t opened it yet. You’re telling me that I get to taste a big stout that I’ve been wanting to open, and I don’t have to open my own bottle? Sold. Sign me up. High expectations on this one, Luce Line. I’m sure you’re going to exceed them.
Pat: When I saw this beer on the list of what Luce Line was bringing I instantly knew I had to try it. As Ryan said, we’ve had a bottle of this waiting for us for a year, and I can’t wait to see how a year of age on it improves the flavor. It was aged for 12 months in bourbon maple syrup barrels and then aged on vanilla and cinnamon, and just typing that out is making me salivate. I’m fully expecting something thick and sweet, but with a bourbon bite and rounded out by some cinnamon spice. Can’t. Wait.
Mana Brewing’s Sea salt caramel chocolate chip cookie pastry stout (Collaboration with Boom Island Brewing)
Ryan: To me, one of the best parts about ABR in the past has been the amount of big, fun, inventive pastry stouts. This year, unfortunately, seems to be lacking them a bit, but Mana Brewing and Boom Island apparently are bringing it with this very long-named behemoth. This one could go sideways very easily in terms of balance and flavor, so I’m intrigued to see where it lands. Who knows, it may end up being a going back for seconds or thirds beer this year.
Pat: Something I wish we’d see more often at these all-Minnesota festivals is breweries getting together for fun, one-off collaboration beers. It would appear Mana and Boom Island must have heard my wishes, because this beer is exactly what I was hoping to see. Quick aside – props to these guys for not coming up with an unrelated name for the beer. This could be a muddled mess of flavors, but I’m really hoping that it’s good enough that it takes longer to say the name than it does to drink it.
Nine Mile Brewing’s Two Bobs: There and back again (Collaboration with Bent Paddle Brewing Company)
Ryan: One of the best parts about collaboration beers is when each brewery does their own iteration of it, and you then get to taste and compare them to each other. This year, it appears that Bent Paddle and Nine Mile are the only breweries doing this, so it only feels fitting that both are going on the list. I expect them to be different, yet equally enjoyable.
Pat: To echo Ryan’s sentiment, it’s always more fun when you see each brewery involved in a collab event both make their own version of the beer. Healthy competition is a plus and I can’t wait to taste this and Bent Paddle’s version next to each other. Nine Mile has a penchant for excelling in making clean styles, so knowing that they have their own Two Bobs on the menu has me
Tilion Brewing Company’s Peanut Butter Cocoa Stout with Double Marshmallow
Ryan: I quite honestly don’t know if I’ve ever had beer from Tilion; hell, I had to look them up to even see where they’re from (Cannon Falls, for those keeping track). This beer sounds like a cereal mixture of Cap’n Crunch and Reese’s Puffs (or, technically, I suppose just Puffs works, too), both cereals that I enjoy as an adult to this day. Bring on the big stouts!
Pat: As we mentioned while talking about the Jack Pine S’mores stout, one concern I’ve always had with peanut butter beers is just how artificial (and sometimes nonexistent) the peanut butter flavor is. Depending on how prominent the peanut butter comes across, this beer could be in the running for top beer of the entire festival. There aren’t many intricate sounding beers on the menu this year, so I’m holding out hope that this one is as full as flavor as it has the potential to be.
Town Hall Brewery’s Meadow Fire (Smoked/Honey)
Ryan: Townhall in Minneapolis is, in my opinion, one of the best breweries in the entire state, and also one that tends to be overlooked the most when these discussions are brought up. If it’s a classic style and they’ve made it then they’ve made it expertly. I’m not totally sure what this one will entail, but if I know Townhall’s beers then expect a beautiful melody of flavorful honey and honey malt mixed with a handful, yet light, smoke presence that makes you think of sitting outside as the sun sets and the campfire is roaring. I can’t wait.
Pat: Based on the name of the beer I’m assuming it’s some sort of a smoked beer with honey. I haven’t had a lot of smoked beers from Townhall, but if I’m trusting anyone to be able to strike the right balance you need for a smokey beer they’re definitely near the top of the list. It being called a smoked/honey beer is really interesting, and I’m wondering if we’ll get some sugar/sweet and floral notes paired up with the smoke.
The Savage Tap’s Savage Common
Ryan: California Commons, or steam beers, are one of those styles that I wish would become more popular. It feels like they randomly make an appearance, don’t sell as well, and then get banished to the history books until someone brings them back again to repeat the cycle. It’s a fantastic light beer with just enough character to make it interesting without killing your palate – or your appetite. I’ve not tried beers from The Savage Tap since they took over the old Loon’s Landing space, so this will be a perfect introduction to their creations.
Pat: In full transparency, I have no idea who Savage Tap is. To that end, what better way to introduce myself to their beer than to go for their attempt at the California Common – one of the most historic and forgotten American styles. Not to put too much pressure on them, but this is a beer style that outside of the iconic Anchor Steam I haven’t found one that I really enjoyed. If Savage Tap can do justice to this style then they will have a new fan.
Pat’s Picks:
320 Dwellers Brewing LLC’s Coffee Coconut Happy Life Porter
One of my favorite parts of All Pints and Autumn Brew Review is getting to try out beers from parts of the state I don’t make it to very often. 320 Dwellers out of Pine City falls into that category, and they’re showing up with a varied menu which you love to hear. The Coffee Coconut Porter sounds like one that they made specifically for me, since any time I see a coconut flavored beer I immediately have to try it.
Tilion Brewing Company’s Key Lime Pie Wheat
Hailing from Cannon Falls, Tilion has existed since 2015. I’m sorry to admit that ten years on I haven’t tried any of their beers, which makes me excited to see just how many beers they’re bringing to ABR (six with all different styles). Key Lime is my favorite pie and I’m excited to see how they got the flavor in their beer and how well it meshes with the wheat base.
Sociable Cider Werks’ Salted Caramel Cider
I’m not typically a fan of suckers, but if there’s one sucker that fills me with nostalgia it has to be those green apple caramel ones. When I saw Sociable was bringing a salted caramel cider my first thought was of those caramel apple suckers. If my experience with Sociable over the years can be trusted, I’m a firm believer that they will do a great job of balancing the richness of the caramel with the sweetness of their apple, and will transport me back to my childhood with each sip.
Summit Brewing Company’s Nialis Ambler
We’ve seen a big surge in places making alternative drinks for their customers, and I’m excited to see how one of the OGs of Minnesota craft beer can do it. If there’s one complaint I’ve had when drinking N/A beers is that they just taste a little thin and lacking on flavor. So, naturally, why not test how well a brewery can do an N/A version of a beer that is known for being heavily reliant on malt character?
Pryes Brewing’s Lost Moon BA stout vertical (2018, 2019, 2025)
Who doesn’t love doing verticals? I’m putting all three of these together because that’s how I will be enjoying them. It’s been a while since I’ve had a Lost Moon, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how this year’s version compares to ones from 6 and 7 years ago.
Ryan’s Picks:
56 Brewing’s Smoke on the Lager Rauchbier
Zach at 56 Brewing has really been coming into his own the longer he’s been at the helm of the brewery, and I’m very intrigued and interested to see what he does with a not-so-common, and not-so-commonly-done-well, style like this. Fingers crossed he crushes this one, because it’s a fun beer to enjoy on a crisp fall day.
Castle Danger Brewing’s Czech Dark Lager (Collaboration with Earth Rider Brewery)
One of my all-time favorite styles is a Czech dark lager, and these two powerhouse breweries coming together to make one has my excitement levels buzzing, especially considering just how great Earth Rider’s classic beers tend to be on their own.
Elm Creek Brewing Company’s Maple Drift
A great brown ale is a thing of beauty, and it’s another style that I wish we had more of locally. Light, crisp, a touch of rich roast and malty it’s a perfect beer as the seasons shift. And when you add maple? Forget about it. I’ll take three, please.
Barrel Theory Beer Company’s Tahitian Tingle
I typically reserve these lists for beers that I haven’t had previously, but I’m making an exception for this one. I’m hopeful that I’m not remembering this with rose-tinted glasses, but this randomly tasted beer was one of my favorite surprises of this year’s All Pints North in Duluth. So good, in fact, that I think we collectively went back a few times each for more. It was that good.
Heavy Rotation Brewing Company’s London Calling – English Dark Mild Cappuccino Firkin
Heavy Rotation is one of those breweries that I don’t get to very often, but every time I do I’m impressed not only with how absolutely friendly they are, but also by the fact that they always seem to have some interesting and enjoyable beer infusion going on. This one caught my eye as it’s not only an English mild, but also the only firkin offering – and a cappuccino one at that. Sounds delicious to me!
Bonus Picks:
Bear Cave Brewing’s Hopkins After Dark
Sporting one of the nicest spaces of any brewery in the area, Bear Cave also is a reliable source for solid beers, and food. They tend to be talked about less than others, but they are worth checking out if you haven’t yet, and this I tend to like their darker offerings the most – this is one I haven’t had yet, so I’ll be stopping by their tent for this one.
Lakeville Brewing Company’s Fresh Hop Ale
As I write this, I was reminded on social media that Lakeville Brewing runs a pseudo-Randall (in line beer infusion device) at their taproom, and currently they’re running a fresh hop infusion. I also saw their photos from their visit to Crosby Hop Farms; I think it’s safe to say that they take their hops seriously, and I look forward to seeing what they craft with them in an ale.
Mineral Springs Brewery’s Pelton Dark Lager
We’ve already established that I like dark lagers a lot. I’ve never had beers from Mineral Springs, so what better way to introduce myself to them than trying a style of beer that I celebrate and seek out endlessly.
This list isn’t meant to be a roadmap—more like a starting point. Half the fun of ABR is wandering the tents, stumbling into surprises, and swapping quick notes with the stranger next to you about what blew you away. We’ll be out there doing the same—sampling, debating, probably revisiting a few favorites more than once—and soaking up one of the best weekends of the year for anyone who loves good beer and good company.
We’ll see you out there—and we can’t wait to hear what your standouts were this year!
