REGIONS: CENTRAL CRAFT BEER, WINE, CIDERS AND SPIRITS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA By Regina Eckes Sit beside a lake or among the pine trees and fi nd a new favorite beverage out of the norm. BEER AND WINE The number of excellent craft breweries and wineries in Central Minnesota is as vast as a thousand acres of corn. Creative brewery and beer names refl ect Central Minnesota pride and lore. With cozy hints of to ee and chocolate, you’d never guess the Pig Farm Porter at ABC Brewing in Battle Lake is named after the ruins of a nearby farm that was home to ghastly happenings in the 1800s. At Fergus Brewing Company in Fergus Falls, spend an afternoon sipping the Otter Tail Mango Blonde while watching the Otter Tail River fl ow by. TRY THESE, TOO: • Carlos Creek Winery (Alexandria) : 2017 Reserve Frontenac, Red Wine • Copper Trail Brewing (Alexandria) : Rebellious, Russian Imperial Stout • Jack Pine Brewery (Baxter) : Fenceline, American Pale Ale • L’Etoile du Nord Vineyard (Miltona) : 2018 Prairie Star, White Wine CIDERS AND SPIRITS Get the True North experience in Central Minnesota with a strong selection of new and well-established distilleries and cideries. Sample honey and apple ciders, corn whiskey and potato vodka. Lizzy’s Gin shines bright in the Cucumber Basil Gin Smash and the Gin Rickey found at 5rocks Distilling Co. in Brainerd. Discover “the spirits of the north” at Little Round Still in Wadena with its Boathouse Bourbon and vodka made from 100% premium potatoes. DON’T MISS OUT: • 1910 Sip House (Battle Lake) : Ethel’s Dry Cider, blend of Honey Crisp, Sweet Tango and Zestar apples • Milk & Honey Ciders (St. Joseph) : 2020 Flora Cider from Golden Russet and Kingston Black apples • Panther Distillery (Osakis) : Spiked Apple Spirits, corn whiskey infused with apple and pure cinnamon SAMPLING THE Panther Distillery, Osakis Milk & Honey Ciders, photo by Micah Kvidt 1910 Sip House Find lakeside cabins, sprawling golf resorts and other lodging. ExploreMinnesota.com/CentralMNLodging EXTEND YOUR STAY 70 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2022 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 70
