Three Minnesota Beer Companies On List of 50 Top Breweries in USA
The craft beer craze has found a definite home here in Minnesota. And now, three Minnesota craft breweries are ranked among the top 50 top in the country.
The craft brewing craze, despite being on a bit of a hold right now during our Stay-At-Home order in Minnesota, is still going strong in here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Many local breweries are still brewing their beer, and are making them available for takeout to take home and enjoy.
And now, three Minnesota beer companies have landed on this year's list of the Top 50 Brewing Companies by Sales Volume for 2019, according to Brewers Association. And, even if you're not necessarily the biggest craft beer fan, they're probably names you'll recognize.
Minnesota's own Summit Brewing Company, which has been brewing beer in St. Paul since 1986, was the highest-ranking Minnesota entry for 2019, coming at number 21 of the list. And, the August Schell Brewing Company in New Ulm came in just four spots lower, at number 25 on the list this year.
Being a beer guy myself (that'd be the Wisconsin native in me coming out), I have to say I've contributed to the sales numbers for both those breweries. I love me some Summit EPA and Saga, and I also enjoy a good Shell's Firebrick (as well as some classic Grain Belt and Grain Belt Nordeast, also brewed these days by the Shell Brewing Company.)
Rounding out Minnesota's three entries on the list this year is another personal favorite of mine: Surly Brewing of Minneapolis, which came in ranked at number 34 on the list this year.
What was the top craft brewer, according to the list for 2019? Once again, that'd be D. G. Yuengling and Son, Inc., out of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. The highest-ranking craft brewery near us hails from our neighbors to the east: New Glarus Brewing Company, based out of New Glarus, in my home state of Wisconsin, which was ranked 15th this year.
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