We will be selling commemorative MN beer day glasses!

MN Beer Day Glass — $7
MN Beer Day Glass + Beer — $12*

Beer offer valid for select draft beers normally served in a 16 oz pour. Excludes sours, seltzers, and Tam O’Shanter.

What is MN Beer Day?

Minnesota Beer Day celebrates the history, tradition, culture, and community of Beer in Minnesota. Since 1848, many Minnesotans have counted on beer for their livelihoods and sense of community, enjoyed beer’s economic benefits, and have enjoyed locally brewed beer in their community. Beer has been, and still is, an integral character in the story of Minnesota and the people who live here, and we celebrate that history and culture on November 1 each year. 

To celebrate, MN’s breweries and brewpubs are offering special events, tours, talks, and discounts. Some participants are selling our commemorative pint. Others are donating proceeds to local charities. Check out the map for all details and locations. 

>> Read More About MN Beer History

Is Minnesota Beer Day a State Holiday?

Minnesota Beer Day is not an “Official State Holiday.” However, the Governor signed a Proclamation declaring November 1 Minnesota Beer Day. Also, the resolution creating this day passed the legislature, and that language stated that November 1st is “henceforth” Minnesota Beer Day, meaning it will be an annual celebration. Learn more about its creation below in “MN Beer Day’s 2024 Passage.”

And remember: The most interesting history is the history you are currently creating. So engage with it and visit a brewery today. One day, they will be written about.

Why November 1 for MN Beer Day?

November 1 was selected by the MN Craft Brewers Guild as an appropriate date to celebrate because November 1 offers a unique throughline between early beer history and today.

• November 1, 1850: John Orth founds John Orth Brewing Company, the 2nd brewery in the Minnesota territory, 8 years before MN Statehood.
  • Orth joins Heinrich Brewing Association, Frederick Norenburg Brewery, and Germania Brewing Association to form the Minneapolis Brewing and Malting Company in 1859.
• November 1, 1895: This business, now the “Minneapolis Brewing Company,” places an ad in the Minneapolis Tribune announcing the winner of their “name-our-new-beer” contest winner. The winning name is “Grain Belt.”
  • The brewery rebrands to “Grain Belt Brewing” in 1967. By the end of the decade, Grain Belt Brewing is the 18th largest brewery in America.
  • 70s and 80s: Grain Belt is purchased by G. Heilieman Brewing from Wisconsin and the production is moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin.
  • 1991: Grain Belt is purchased by Minnesota Brewing Company and the historic Jacob Schmidt Brewery re-opens in St. Paul to brew it.
  • 2002: The Grain Belt brand is purchased and continues to be brewed today by the 2nd oldest family-owned brewery in the country, Schell’s Brewery of New Ulm, MN.