Distillery tours
Distillery Tours in Minnesota
Plan a distillery tour in Minnesota: 8 distilleries to visit, with tastings and experiences you can book directly. Expect Craft Spirits, Gin, Bourbon and more. Highlights include Du Nord Social Spirits, O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co., Norseman Distillery.
8distilleries
Du Nord Social Spirits
Minneapolis gin, vodka and bourbon with a social heart
Brother Justus Whiskey Company
American single malt distillery in Minneapolis
Wander North Distillery
Local-malt small-batch spirits in northeast Minneapolis
About distillery tours in Minnesota
Minnesota's distilling scene leans hard into its agricultural roots, and the result is a trail with a genuine sense of place. This is grain country, and many of the state's distillers turn that abundance into spirits you won't find anywhere else, from estate-grown rye in the Red River Valley to charred white-oak single malt in the Twin Cities. The northernmost distillery in the contiguous United States sits up here, alongside a cluster of urban makers in and around Minneapolis and Saint Paul who have helped turn Northeast Minneapolis into a small but serious spirits district. Following the trail means moving between two very different experiences: tucked-away farm distilleries where the story starts in the soil, and lively city tasting rooms with cocktails and tours. Brother Justus Whiskey Company has built its name on Minnesota single malt aged in local oak, while Far North Spirits grows every grain it distils on a century-old family farm. Add gin specialists, vodka makers and community-minded producers like Du Nord Social Spirits, and you have a route that rewards both the curious day-tripper and the dedicated whiskey traveller.
Following the Minnesota trail
There is no single fixed route here, so think of the Minnesota trail as two loops stitched together. The Twin Cities loop is the easy entry point: Northeast Minneapolis is home to several distillery tasting rooms within a short hop of each other, including Brother Justus Whiskey Company and Norseman Distillery, with Du Nord Social Spirits, Loon Liquors and O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. rounding out the metro picture. Plan a leisurely afternoon, tour one or two production floors, and spread your tastings rather than rushing. The second, more committed loop heads out to the countryside, where Far North Spirits anchors the far north of the state near the Canadian border. Build that into a longer drive with overnight stops. Whatever order you choose, prioritise distilleries with set tour times and book ahead where you can, since smaller producers often run by appointment.
Distilleries worth prioritising
If your time is limited, start with the makers that best capture what Minnesota does well. Brother Justus is the obvious flagship for single-malt fans, with its focus on locally malted barley and Minnesota oak. Far North Spirits is the trail's pilgrimage stop for anyone interested in genuine estate distilling, where the rye is grown on site. In the cities, Norseman Distillery and Copperwing Distillery offer relaxed, cocktail-forward tasting rooms; Du Nord Social Spirits carries a strong community story alongside its spirits; and Wander North Distillery and O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. give you contrasting styles to compare in a single visit. Loon Liquors leans organic and craft-minded. Tasting two or three side by side is the best way to understand the local character.
Where to stay and eat nearby
Most visitors base themselves in Minneapolis or Saint Paul, which puts the bulk of the urban tasting rooms within easy reach and gives you no shortage of restaurants, breweries and hotels. Northeast Minneapolis in particular pairs distilleries with independent eateries and breweries, so you can build a full evening around a single neighbourhood. If you push north toward Far North Spirits, plan accommodation in advance; the area is rural and lodging is more limited, so a small-town inn or motel near your route is the practical choice. Eat well before long drives and keep water handy between tastings.
Getting there and around
The Twin Cities are the natural hub, well served by Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and a dense road network that makes hopping between metro tasting rooms straightforward. Within the cities, rideshare is the smart call so nobody in your group has to nominate a driver. The rural legs of the trail, especially the long haul toward the Red River Valley, are firmly road-trip territory, so factor in real driving distances and Minnesota's seasonal weather. Winter conditions can be serious, so check the forecast and confirm opening hours before you set out.
Frequently asked
- How many distilleries can I realistically visit in a day in Minnesota?
- Sticking to the Twin Cities, two or three tasting rooms in an afternoon is comfortable and lets you actually enjoy each one. Northeast Minneapolis clusters several producers close together, so you can do that loop without much driving. Rural stops like Far North Spirits need their own day given the distances.
- What is Minnesota known for in terms of spirits?
- The state's strength is its grain. Expect standout single malt and rye, with several distillers emphasising locally grown or even estate-grown grain. Brother Justus focuses on Minnesota single malt aged in local oak, while Far North Spirits grows its own rye on the farm.
- Do I need to book distillery tours in advance?
- For larger urban tasting rooms you can often walk in, but tours and smaller, rural distilleries frequently run on set times or by appointment. Booking ahead is the safest approach, particularly for production-floor tours and for any countryside visits.
- Which Minnesota distillery is best for whiskey lovers?
- Brother Justus Whiskey Company is the go-to for single-malt enthusiasts in the Twin Cities, and Far North Spirits is essential for anyone interested in rye and estate distilling. Visiting both gives you two distinct sides of Minnesota whiskey.
- Are the distilleries family friendly or 21-plus only?
- Policies vary by venue. Tasting rooms serving full pours and cocktails are generally aimed at adults, while some tours may welcome accompanied younger visitors. Check each distillery's policy before you go if you're travelling with family.
- When is the best time of year to do the Minnesota distillery trail?
- Late spring through autumn makes the rural drives easiest and the weather most cooperative. Winter visits to city tasting rooms are perfectly doable and often cosy, but long countryside legs are best avoided when conditions turn.