Elm Creek Brewery Champlin, MN
- 4 Paws Marketing
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Elm Creek Brewing Co. holds a special place in my heart—it’s one of the first spots where I tried and developed a passion for sour ales. The vibe is laid-back and cozy, making it the perfect place to unwind. Bonus? For us, it’s close by. My favorite days to visit are on Meat Raffle Thursdays or nights with live music—though fair warning, those nights draw a large crowd so seating gets to be a bit crowded when the patio isn’t open!
Drinks:
This is the O.G.—the place where I realized sours were my new “go-to.” Their Rare Candy Blue Razz is always on tap and can be found at liquor stores around the metro. It’s a staple in my fridge—sweet, tart, and an all-time favorite. But they don’t stop there; they often feature a rotating second sour, and I’ve tried a few:
Winterberry Pie – Decent, but not a standout.
Passionfruit/Orange/Guava – Perfect. Sadly, it was a limited time flavor…I’d be there a lot more if they brought it back. Since I can buy the Blue Razz in stores, they need something special to make the trip worth it—unless, of course, it’s Meat Raffle night.
Watermelon/Lime/Hibiscus – A refreshing summer option, if you catch it at the right time. Very lime forward, so if you don’t like citrus, maybe opt for something else.
Blueberry Pie – Way too sweet and, as expected, overwhelmingly blueberry-forward. Not for me.
I would really love to see them keep a second sour around consistently, especially one as good as the Passionfruit/Orange/Guava. Until then, I’ll keep my eye on their tap list. Since this is one of my go-to locations, and you can never really go wrong with the Blue Razz, I have them a 4.5 out of 5 in the drink category.
Food:
No full kitchen. When the weather warms up, food trucks roll in—some are great, some not so great. I highly recommend checking their website ahead of time; the food truck lineup can determine whether or not we make the trip. They also offer the usual staples—Von Hansen’s pretzels (because they’re everywhere) and a prepackaged charcuterie option. You are welcome to bring your own food along, there's a Chipotle and Chanticlear Pizza close by, so that's always an option as well.
My favorite food truck options at Elm Creek have been:
Brisbane’s Revenge Hands down my favorite. Their homemade French onion dip is amazing, and the homemade potato chips are equally great. Fries are solid too, but seriously, fries are hard to mess up.
Smash -n- Dash. Great selection of smash burgers. What really makes them unique is the fact that they also offer gourmet, fancy, cupcakes! Can't go wrong with dessert!
Variety is nice, so I'll give them a 3 out of 5 even though in-store options are few in the winter months.
Dog Friendliness:
Elm Creek has two patios, one on each side of the main seating area, making it a perfect summer place to visit.
Dogs are welcome—but only outside—so Harley must stay home in the middle of January. They do provide water bowls, a nice touch, but it would be even better if pups were allowed inside (a girl - and her dog - can dream). As soon as the snow melts, and we’re above 60 degrees, I’ll definitely be bringing Harley or Storm back for some brewery adventures. So, since my furry friends can only join me 6 mos. of the year, I have only give them a 2 out of 5 rating in this category.
Atmosphere:
Elm Creek just feels like home. It was one of the first local breweries Barry and I visited, so there’s some nostalgia there. The carpet (yes, carpet) gives it a homey feel, and they have a small section of comfy seating—though you’ll have to be quick, or the pre-teens playing video games will claim it first.
They provide a decent selection of board games and cards, but you’re always welcome to bring your own. There is also a small selection of old-school pinball machines. I love when they open the big doors when it's nice —especially if there’s live music. That way, you can sit on the patio and still enjoy the band without having to yell over the noise and crappy speakers inside. Because it's one of my original favorites, and due to its homey feel, I have to give it a 4 out of 5.
Merch & More:
If you’re a fan of brewery merch, Elm Creek has you covered! Their selection is one of the best I’ve seen, with a variety of hats, t-shirts, and bar glasses that make great gifts or additions to your own brewery collection (it’s possible I have one). I love the variety of options, and their designs are simple. Whether you want to rep your favorite brewery or just grab a cool new hat, their selection is worth checking out. Since there are so many options, they earn a 4 out of 5 in the merch department.
If you're like me and enjoy a good meat raffle, head over on Thursdays, but if it’s not your thing, they also host trivia. During the summer months you can also get in on their cornhole league
If you’re a fan of brewery merch, Elm Creek has you covered! Their selection is one of the best I’ve seen, with a variety of hats, t-shirts, and bar glasses that make great gifts or additions to your own brewery collection (it’s possible I have one). I love the variety of options, and their designs are simple. Whether you want to rep your favorite brewery or just grab a cool new hat, their selection is worth checking out. Since there are so many options, they earn a 4 out of 5 in the merch department.
If you're like me and enjoy a good meat raffle, head over on Thursdays, but if it’s not your thing, they also host trivia. During the summer months you can also get in on their cornhole league.
Overall:
Elm Creek Brewing Co. has a solid atmosphere, good drinks, and a fun lineup of events. While I’d love to see a more consistent second sour on tap and a little more flexibility with the food options, it’s still a great spot to kick back, especially when the weather is nice. Just be prepared for a crowd if you’re there on a popular night—and maybe bring a pizza if it’s the dead of winter.
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