
These Minnesota Beers Are Now Some of the Best in the World
In what's been called the Olympics of Beer, five Minnesota beers were just rated as some of the best on the entire planet!
Even though I'm from Wisconsin, the state that's long been proud of its tradition of brewing beer, I've been saying for a while now that some of the best craft beers can be found right here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And now you don't just have to take my word for it, either.
An impressive lineup of five beers brewed right here in the Bold North just won awards at the 2025 World Beer Cup. That's the international competition organized by the Brewers Association that highlights some of the best brews anywhere. It's even sometimes referred to as 'the Olympics of Beer,' which highlights the event's global scale, competitive rigor, and prestige. It’s one of the most respected beer competitions in the world.
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This year's World Beer Cup, part of the Craft Brewers Conference, was held in early May in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to the Brewers Association, there were a LOT of beers, judges, and awards involved in this year's cup:
"Throughout 14 sessions spanning seven days, a panel of 265 judges from 37 countries methodically evaluated 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries and cideries across 49 nations and bestowed 349 awards," the Brewers Association said.

And five Minnesota beers took home awards at the Cup this year, making them some of the best not just in our fair state, or country, but in the world. So, here's a shout-out to the following 2025 World Beer Cup Winners:
- Pantown Brewing Company in St. Cloud, MN - Gold Medal Winner/Coffee Beer Category for Coffee Cream Ale
- Arbeiter Brewing Company in Minneapolis, MN - Gold Medal Winner/German-Style Pilsener category for Haha Pils
- Paddlefish Brewing Company in Saint Peter, MN - Gold Medal Winner/Historical Beer category for Vinter Liv
- Hackamore Brewing Company in Chanhassen, MN - Gold Medal Winner/Dessert Stout or Pastry Stout category for Saturday Morning Cartoons
- Lakeville Brewing Company in Lakeville, MN - Silver Medal Winner/German-Style Altbier category for Alternative Medicine
Congrats to all these brewers and breweries! You've made Minnesota proud! Now in addition to these five, If you're looking to try some other incredible brews made right here in the Gopher State, keep scrolling to check out some of the highest-rated breweries from across the state!
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25 Highest-Rated Breweries in Minnesota
Gallery Credit: Minnesota Now