22 Northmen Brewing Co, Alexandria, MN
- Apr 17, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
This one’s not located in the Twin Cities, but if you find yourself heading west on I-94, 22 Northmen Brewing Co. is definitely worth the stop. It’s just a few minutes outside of Alexandria and shares a huge property with Carlos Creek Winery. So whether your group is into craft beer or prefer a glass of wine or cider, there’s something here for everyone.
This was my second visit—both times it was a bit chillier than I prefer —so I still haven’t had the chance to enjoy the outdoor space, but it’s definitely on my list. The brewery is surrounded by grape trees, open green spaces, and lots of fresh air, it’s the perfect place to spend a lazy summer afternoon. Inside, the brewery looks like a big hunting lodge. Imagine lots of exposed wood, rustic light fixtures, and lots of space. There’s also a nice-sized bar, plenty of tables, a separate indoor section with an area for live music, and an upstairs loft area that would be great if you’ve got a bigger group.
Drinks:
If you like sours, this place has got one of the best. They had three on tap when I was there this time around. Two were brewed in wine barrels—one red, one white—and while I gave them a try, they had a little too much flavor of actual wine for me. But then there’s Punch Face… let me tell you, it’s a winner.
I tried it the first time I was here and liked it so much I brought home a crowler. On a later trip, my husband happened to be passing through and I had him fill it up for me again. Safe to say I was pumped to see it was still on tap this time around.
I had a fresh pint (okay, maybe a couple), and had them fill up my crowler to stash in the fridge. It’s fruity without being too sweet, with just the right amount of tartness. Blueberry, tart cherry, pomegranate, orange… it hits all the right flavors for me. Easily one of my all-time favorite sours.
If someone in your group is more of a wine drinker vs beer, they can grab a glass from the Carlos Creek building next door and bring it over. Super convenient.
4.5/5 for the drinks rating! I absolutely love their Punch Face!
Food:
Attached to the brewery is Stoke Pizza, a wood-fired pizza joint that makes really good food. They've got a few apps too if you’re in the mood for something small. I’ve tried their pizza before and it didn’t disappoint, comparable to Punch Pizza in the Twin Cities area, but with a few more “traditional” options.
During the warmer months, they also open up the Sizzle Food Truck, which serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more. There appears to be a lot of variety, and from what I’ve heard, everything is pretty good. Between the two food options, you’re covered whether you’re just grabbing a quick bite or planning to make a full night of it.
4 out of 5, the pizza is great and the option of the food truck is an added bonus in the summer.
Dog Friendliness:
As suspected, no furry friends are allowed inside since they do have the pizza shop on site, but they are welcome outside. There’s a ton of space and plenty of seating out there, so once the weather warms up, it’s definitely a place we’ll come back to and bring Harley. This time around it was just a little too cold to sit outside, but it’s on the list for my next visit.
2 out of 5, can’t go too much higher on that one since we haven’t been able to bring our pooch along, and it’s always a bummer (though understandable) when they have to stay outside
Atmosphere:
I love the vibe of this place. It’s got that Minnesota lodge feel—super chill and welcoming without being over the top. We got lucky with some live music this visit too, and it ended up being one of the highlights.
This particular night it was a local musician, Robb Justice, who was fantastic. He did a mix of covers and originals, with a little country, some blues, and rock mixed in. Not overproduced, not flashy—just good, solid music that was the perfect fit for the location. I’d highly recommend catching him live if you see he’s performing near you - or try to catch him when he’s back at 22 Northmen!
4.5 /5 I am a big fan of this place and the live music knocked it out of the park for me this time around!
Merch & More:
They’ve got a nice selection of branded merch with a bunch of t-shirts, hats, and some sweatshirts. A couple of coffee mugs too, and of course, stickers—because yes, I have a sticker collection for all the breweries I visit (please tell me I’m not the only one?).
Surprisingly, no branded pint glasses, which felt like a miss, but maybe that’ll change.
They had a couple of table games inside, but nothing too extensive. If you’re planning to hang out for a while, it’s probably a good idea to bring your own deck of cards or your game of choice. Outside, there are some lawn games when the weather’s nice—perfect for summer nights.
3 out of 5, though the merch selection was extensive, I do wish they had the option of a pint glass or some sort of bar-ware, and a few decks of cards or games would be nice to have as options as well.
Overall:
This spot is definitely one of my favorites when I’m out near Alexandria or driving west. It’s slightly off the beaten path but totally worth the drive. As long as they keep Punch Face on tap, I’ll keep coming back—and even if they don’t, it’s still a great place to spend a few hours.
I can always settle for a cider or glass of wine now and again. Between the drinks, food, live music, and the overall positive vibe, it’s one of those places that I want to keep going back to.
Thinking of checking it out? I’d say plan a visit when the weather’s nice so you can take advantage of the outdoor space. And if you see Robb Justice on the schedule, don’t miss it. Oh—and don’t forget to grab a crowler on your way out, you’re going to want to have some Punch Face at home.
One of my favorites 4/5!
