The Little-Known Story Of Grain Belt In Minnesota And How It Made A Big Comeback
By Trent Jonas|Published February 19, 2024
×
Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Grain Belt beer in Minnesota has a long history in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, dating back to the 19th century. Over the brand’s course, it’s seen several ups and downs, including going out of production a handful of times. But since the brand was acquired by Schell’s Brewing, based in the charming town of New Ulm, MN, Grain Belt has made a big comeback.
Grain Belt is a beer that was first brewed in 1893 by the Minneapolis Brewing Company, which, at the time, was one of the largest breweries in the U.S.
Grain Belt ceased production during Prohibition, and the brand changed hands several times over the years. However, in 1975, the brand ceased production yet again - due to financial trouble - and the plant was closed.
A La Crosse, Wisconsin, brewer purchased the brand and moved production out of state for the first time.
After another downturn and rebranding, Grain Belt returned to the North Star State, where it was produced in its former brewery by a new company called Minneapolis Brewing.
Advertisement
The new Grain Belt Premium beer proved initially popular, and its sales peaked in the mid-1990s before falling off.
Minneapolis Brewing struggled with debt and eventually declared bankruptcy in 2001, leaving nothing but the historic building and the famous sign near Hennepin Avenue, which had last been lit in 1996.
Advertisement
Although it saw occasional restoration, the famous Grain Belt sign that has stood over the Hennepin Avenue bridge in Minneapolis since 1941 was often in a state of disrepair.
Grain Belt Sign, 4 W Island Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
In 1995, the brewery in Northeast Minneapolis was restored, but after Minneapolis Brewing folded in the early 2000s, it was converted into use as lofts, apartments, and some commercial spaces.
In 2010, Schell's introduced Grain Belt Nordeast to considerable fanfare - some Minneapolis liquor stores had lines out the door on release day - and as a nod to the brand's roots.
It now shines over the city with a light that echoes the bright future of the beer, itself.
Today, Schell’s Brewery is the state’s largest, and Grain Belt is its best-selling brand. You can sample the different Grain Belt beers at the Schell’s tasting room in New Ulm, and you can find them at most any place you buy beer in Minnesota. With its deep Bold North heritage, drinking Grain Belt is one way that folks from Minnesota show their roots and signal their state pride.
What’s your favorite Minnesota beer? Let us know in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
