On the heels of the explosion in craft breweries, along came the age of the craft distilleries which is as dynamic in Minneapolis as anywhere else in the United States.

We are going to look at some of the craft distilleries in Minneapolis and consider what else this intriguing city has to offer. We’ll consider its attractions, monuments, culture and the food and drink scene here.

About Minneapolis

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and the 46th most populous city in the United States.

Its nickname is the City of Lakes as it has more than thirteen lakes as well as  wetlands, and waterfalls. The mighty Mississippi River starts its journey from here too.

Founded along Saint Anthony Falls, the only natural waterfall on the entire Mississippi River, Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding area is collectively known as the Twin Cities.

Here you’ll find cold, snowy winters which are also quite windy. It is partly cloudy almost all year round, but it does have warm, humid summers.

The warmest months to visit Minneapolis are between late May to mid-September when the average temperature is around 71 °F.

The cold months run from late November to early March with average daily temperatures of below 36 °F. The coldest month here is January with an average low of 10 °F.

Minneapolis has a lot to offer visitors from award winning chefs to iconic landmarks. Its vibrant art and music scene, festivals and sports events are all worth checking out too.

Local Craft Distilleries

If you are coming to Minneapolis for their craft distilleries you won’t be disappointed. There are a lot of great spirits to taste and plenty of opportunities to tour some of the city’s distilleries.

Tattersall Distilling

Tattersall Distilling is considered the gold standard for distilling in Minneapolis. It is a multi award winning distillery having won more than 50 San Francisco Spirits Awards.

This distinguished distillery produces 24 spirits including rye whiskey, vodka, gin, apple brandy, aquavit, blackstrap rum, absinthe and an assortment of liqueurs.

They also provide a free app with more than 400 cocktail recipes.

Norseman Distillery

Norseman Distillery claims that it is the first legal microdistillery in Minneapolis since Prohibition.

It has one of the world’s largest craft spirits portfolios and its menu changes seasonally with the distillery constantly trying to improve on its success.

Take home one of their 31 unique spirits or sample some during their weekly Wednesday happy hour when you can get a half price cocktail.

Skaalvenn Distillery

Skaalvenn Distillery is a small, family owned business located north of Minneapolis in Brooklyn Park. The name of this craft distillery is one of the friendliest you’ll find, as skaal means cheers and venn means friends.

Their cocktail lounge hours are Thursday through Saturday from late afternoon until 11pm.

Copperwing Distillery

Fifteen minutes from downtown Minneapolis in St. Louis Park you’ll find the Copperwing microdistillery.

This enterprise, founded by three friends, uses predominantly local ingredients including Minnesota white oak for their barrels.

Copperwing distills a proprietary spirit called Vodskey which is a clear spirit distilled from bourbon mash.

Du Nord Craft Spirits

Du Nord Craft Spirits ensure that all of the grains that it uses are grown in Minnesota.

They are best known for their classic spirits; vodka, gin, and a spiced apple spirit distilled from Minnesota fruit and corn. They also make a coffee liqueur.

You can watch the distillery in action from the cocktail room as you enjoy one of their feature cocktails.

Twin Spirits Distillery

Twin Spirits is the first, one woman owned distillery not just in Minneapolis but in the state of Minnesota.

Here you’ll find gin, vodka, whiskey and rum but also their own moonshine made from Minnesota raised honey. They actually distill it once a month at the full moon.

The distillery also operates a coffee shop where you can liven up your morning brew with something spirited.

Getting To & Around Minneapolis

The way you choose to get to Minneapolis will depend on where you are coming from. You can get here by plane, train, bus or car.

It’s possible to fly into Minneapolis-St Paul International airport from overseas or internally.

To get into the city simply take the Metro Transit from the airport to reach downtown Minneapolis, Mall of America or downtown St Paul.

St. Paul-Minneapolis Union Depot is your destination if you are coming into Minneapolis by train. Bus companies operate from many cities across the country into the city too.

Once in Minneapolis you will be able to get around by several means including public transport, driving, cycling, or walking. The city also operates a shared electric scooter program, so you can rent and ride to get around.

Minneapolis Attractions

Minneapolis has a whole host of great places to visit including many cultural attractions.

Mall Of America

For those more interested in shopping than parks or museums the Mall of America in Minneapolis is the place to be.

With more than 520 shops you’ll definitely need your walking shoes though. The mall also contains the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium.

Minnehaha Regional Park

Extending along the banks of the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Regional Park is home to the Minnehaha falls which are 53 feet high.

Here you’ll find statues of Minnehaha and Hiawatha, the main characters of Song of Hiawatha by Longfellow.

Minneapolis Institute Of Art

On display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art you’ll find works by some of the great European artists like Rembrandt and Rubens.

There are also collection pieces that date back 5,000 years. Admission is free all the time even for public tours.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

In a 19 acre urban green space you’ll find the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden which displays sculptures of the Walker Art Center. This place is home to a memorial arbor and flower garden with seasonal displays.

Monuments In Minneapolis

There are many iconic landmarks in Minneapolis, but we have found our favorites to share with you.

Lakewood Cemetery

Lakewood Cemetery is regarded as one of the most magnificent in the country. It was built in 1871 and the grounds were inspired by the Rue de Repose in Paris.

The chapel was built later, in 1908, by Minneapolis architect Harry Wild Jones and was influenced by Turkey’s Hagia Sophia mosque.

The cemetery draws tourists for its incredible architecture and in the summer Sunday concerts are held in the chapel. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983.

Grain Belt Beer Sign

An unlikely monument but one of cultural significance is the Grain Belt Beer sign on Nicollet Island. It is one of the largest freestanding neon signs in the Midwest.

Built in 1941 it features the logo of the Minneapolis Brewing Company, the biggest brewery in town back then.

Best views of the sign are from the west side of Hennepin Avenue bridge. Nighttime is best for seeing it in all its neon glory.

Prince Mural

Prince Rogers Nelson was born in Minneapolis in 1958 and the city was instrumental in his formation as a musician.

The impressive mural, unveiled in June 2022, is 100 feet tall and near First Avenue and Target Center.

It was painted by Hiero Veiga, a Florida street artist who was handpicked by the Prince estate.

Culture Of Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a progressive city and has a strong dynamic drive and creative energy. It has a great music and art scene with theaters, music venues and festivals that are highly acclaimed.

Downtown Minneapolis has a chill, family-friendly atmosphere and is full of great places to eat out and parks to enjoy.

The people of Minneapolis are all year round outdoor enthusiasts and some of the most popular activities are ice skating, ice fishing and water sports.

Food & Beverage Scene In Minneapolis

The food and beverage scene in Minneapolis,  Minnesota is innovative and creative. International cuisine is always on the menu with French, Asian and Mediterranean restaurants in this city.

But there’s always room for some Minneapolis comfort food too.

Drinking in Minneapolis can feel like an international affair too with plenty of Irish pubs, traditional English pubs, and lots of taprooms serving Minneapolis’s own craft beer.

There are wineries, cocktail bars and breweries to be discovered and enjoyed here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Craft Distillery?

According to the American Craft Spirits Association a craft distillery is one which values the importance of transparency in its processes and the ingredients it uses. We hope you find that Minneapolis Distilleries use the finest ingredients in their spirits- starting with water from the land of 10,000 lakes!

How Many Distilleries Are There In Minneapolis?

There are more than twenty distilleries in Minneapolis, many with cocktail rooms which are the equivalent of a brewery’s taproom for tasting the products that are made on the premises.