There’s something special about the way beer weaves through life in Minnesota. It’s not just about what’s in the glass, it’s about the people who make it, the spaces where we gather, and the way brewing has always built community here. And to commemorate that same community and spirit, on Saturday, November 1, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild invites everyone to raise a pint for MN Beer Day—a statewide celebration of the craft, culture, and history that continues to define our state’s beer scene.
A Date with History
While the date itself may seem like one pulled out of thin air, November 1 isn’t a random choice—it’s a day rooted deep in Minnesota’s brewing story. Back in 1850, in the Minnesota Territory that would later become the state of Minnesota, the John Orth Brewing Company opened its doors as one of the region’s earliest breweries. Just a few decades later, in 1895, the name Grain Belt was born—marking the start of a legacy that still echoes through taprooms today, and can still be seen in the illuminated sign overlooking the Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis.
When the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild pushed to make November 1 an official day of recognition, it wasn’t about adding another “beer holiday.” It was about honoring the lineage of local brewing that’s shaped this state for more than 170 years—celebrating both the heritage and the modern craft that continue to grow side by side.
What to Expect This Year
Across the state, taprooms are putting their own spin on the celebration. You’ll see the official 2025 MN Beer Day pint glass, special tappings, local discounts, and that familiar buzz of community energy that fills a taproom on a big day.
While a plethora of participating breweries are providing drink specials, a couple of spots are leaning all the way in.
- Bad Habit Brewing Co. in St. Joseph is offering unlimited beers with the purchase of their MN Beer Day glass for $30.
- Lupulin Brewing Co. in Big Lake is doing the same with a $25 price per commemorative glass.
It’s the kind of promotion that turns a keepsake pint glass into an open invitation to linger, talk with the bartenders, and celebrate the craft together.
Breweries are still updating their full promotions, so be sure to check with your local favorites for updates! Even if your favorite brewery isn’t doing a special release or deal, odds are good they’ll have something unique on tap that day. MN Beer Day is designed to bring people out—to fill stools, spark conversation, and remind everyone why local beer matters.
Why It Matters
Beer has always been about more than what’s poured. It’s about connection—the steady rhythm of small breweries that serve as neighborhood living rooms. It’s about walking into a space where you recognize a few faces, where the person behind the bar knows what you like before you ask, and where the tap list reads like a roll call of local creativity.
MN Beer Day is a reminder of that connection—a statewide toast to the people and places that keep Minnesota’s beer scene thriving. Each pint supports independent businesses, fuels local economies, and sustains the community that makes this culture so alive. And with countless options beyond just the traditional choices—non-alcoholic, THC, seltzers—there’s something for everyone on this historic day.
How to Join In
- Mark your calendar: Saturday, November 1, 2025.
- Find a taproom: Visit MNcraftbrew.org/mn-beer-day for more info, or find the full map of participating breweries here (also featured below).
- Grab the glass: The 2025 commemorative pint supports the Guild’s work—and most come with a pour.
- Lift your glass: Whether it’s your go-to neighborhood spot or a brewery you’ve been meaning to check out, take the time to stop in and be part of the celebration.
- Share the love: Post a photo, tag your taproom, and use #MNBeerDay to help spotlight Minnesota’s craft-beer community.
Lift a Glass to What’s Next
With more than 150 breweries across the state, Minnesota’s craft scene is as dynamic and creative as ever. MN Beer Day isn’t about one brewery or one style—it’s about the collective story of people who pour their heart into every batch.
So wherever you find yourself this November 1, take a moment to lift a glass—not just to the beer, but to the community that keeps it all going. The conversations at the bar. The brewers who innovate quietly in the background. The regulars who show up every week. They’re the reason Minnesota beer keeps moving forward.
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like to dig deeper into the story behind MN Beer Day—and the people shaping the future of local craft beer—tune in to the debut episode of The Tasting Notes Podcast, featuring Jess Talley and Bob Galligan from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. We talk about what it takes to support more than 150 breweries across the state, the challenges and opportunities shaping the scene, and what community really means in the world of Minnesota beer.
Find it now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at TheTastingNotes.co/podcast.
