Excelsior Brewing Co, Excelsior, MN
- 4 Paws Marketing
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7
I was meeting up with a former co-worker who happened to be finishing work in the Excelsior area, so of course, I suggested we meet at a brewery—because, when in doubt, brewery meet-ups are always the way to go. Best part? I was able to bring Millie (the foster pup) along inside! Big win.
Excelsior Brewing is family-owned, located in the heart of the small lakeside town of Excelsior, and very dog-friendly. [June 2025] I've already been back, this time with my husband and Storm, in tow. It has a cozy, small-town vibe and it was a nice day to grab a spot outside. I'd highly recommend stopping by to grab a drink, walk the shops, and potentially catch some live music when they've got something lined up. Total small-town Main Street charm.
Drinks:
I was the only one enjoying the brews this time around, but their sour was a good one! Called “A Day at the Peach” it was, as you would guess, it’s a peach-forward kettle sour that was tasty without being too sweet. I have already brought my husband back to this location — it’s a sour I’d happily have again, and we were able to enjoy the patio this time around.
They also had a selection of THC seltzers for those who might not be into beer, plus some standard non-alcoholic options like soda and water. Something for everyone, which is always a nice option.
"A Day at the Peach" earns a solid 4 out of 5, it was tasty! I would've had another had my usual companions been along, I've already been back!
Food:
No on-site food, but I love how they work around it. They provide menus from a bunch of nearby restaurants—most within walking distance—and some will even deliver right to your table at the brewery. More variety, fewer rules, and you don’t have to settle for one food truck option. I'm a big fan of that setup.
I'll give them a 2 out of 5 in this category, simply because there wasn't on-site options, and if you do delivery, you pay a fee. I did like the variety of options close by though!
Dog Friendliness:
Excelsior gets an excellent score from me just for allowing dogs inside. I don’t mind patios, but having the option to hang out indoors when the weather is cold or wet is huge, especially living in MN. Storm thought the patio was doable, she loved the fact that they have a treat dispenser and thought her time under the picnic table was better than sitting on the couch at home.
On my first visit, Millie got lots of love while —people can’t resist her.
It’s nice when a place welcomes dogs like they’re part of the experience, not an afterthought or a nuisance. When you're a dog person like me, those little things go a long way!
Atmosphere:
The vibe is pretty casual, classic brewery—nothing flashy, but it feels quaint and comfortable. They’ve host live music some weekends, and regular events like trivia, bingo, and even an open jam night. So if you’re looking for a little something extra with your beverage of choice, they’ve got a good calendar of stuff happening. I definitely want to go back when there’s something going on—it seems like the kind of place that would have a fun, busy vibe.
Excelsior gets a 4/5. I've already been back! It's just such a cute little town, and you forget you're just minutes away from the big city!
Merch & More:
Yep, I walked out with another shirt. I’m a sucker for repping the local breweries —especially when I can bring my dog. They had a decent selection of merch both in-person and I found even more online, so if you’re into collecting shirts or hats from your personal brewery tours, you’ll definitely find something here.
I love the variety of options they have here, perfect for anyone. Go big or go home!
They do have a small selection of board games and cards, but since I was catching up with a friend, I wasn’t really looking for that at my first visit. When my husband and I went back, we did bring our own cards just in case. (Brewery tip: keep a small cribbage board or deck of cards in the car at all times.)
They get a 4/5 in the merch department! I love when there are options!
Overall:
Excelsior Brewing is a place that makes you want to slow down a little and enjoy the moment. Between the dog-friendly atmosphere, tasty sour, and the walkable, small-town charm, it checks all the boxes for me. It’s not too far from home, so we’ll be back—hopefully on a warm, summer night when we can take advantage of the patio, grab something from the local Mexican joint, and stroll along the water a bit.
If you’re looking for a low-key brewery with a great neighborhood feel, this one’s worth your time. Definite bonus points for dog-approved access inside.
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