Hayes Public House, Buffalo, MN
- 4 Paws Marketing
- May 11
- 3 min read
Updated: May 25
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect rolling into Buffalo, Minnesota for a brewery stop—but Hayes’ Public House turned out to be a super cool find. Tucked away in downtown Buffalo, this Irish-inspired brewpub & taproom has an atmosphere all its own. From the moment you walk through the bright red door, you feel like you’ve stepped into a pub somewhere in the middle of Ireland. There’s an old-school feel to the place that sets it apart from any other taproom you’ll visit.
Hayes’ definitely has character. The space is pretty small but it’s welcoming, and it was inspired by the owner's travels to Ireland and his love for authentic community-type spaces. It’s the kind of place where you could definitely see the regulars becoming friends by the end of a pint (or two).
Drinks:
THayes’ had a couple of sours on tap: the Blackberry Agave Kettle Sour (which I went with, both times, hahaha), and a Dill Pickle Kettle Sour that I sampled—just for fun. If you’re a Bloody Mary fan, they even offer a Bloody Beer made with the Dill Pickle Sour, it sounds like it could be interesting.
I went with the blackberry sour. It had a nice color, a little bit sweet with a balance of tartness, just nothing out of the box. It’s a reliable fruit-forward kettle sour—not bad, but not a fridge must-have for me.
Score: 2.5/5 – Solid, but not spectacular. It’s a nice try-me option if you’re in the area, especially for the casual sour drinkers.
Fun fact: I did learn that Hayes’ also brews traditional Irish-style ales and beers that reflect their Irish pub-style background—so if sours aren’t your thing, try one of their more classic options.
Food:
Food-wise, Hayes’ offers a small selection. During the week, you can order soft pretzels, wings, hand-cut fries, or a bowl of soup. On the weekends, they add in wood-fired pizzas.
While we didn’t stay long enough to eat, the menu looks like what you might expect at a small-town brewery.
Score: 2.5/5 Limited menu, but it covers the basics. I’ll definitely be back to test out the pizza, or soup, next time.
Dog Friendliness:
Hayes’ allows dogs on the patio, which is actually a pretty great spot when the weather is nice. The main taproom is pretty small, so it makes sense that dogs are kept outside—but if you’ve got a pup who loves being out in the fresh air, they’ll be just fine.
The real winner for the pups is the rooftop patio. Harley and Storm don’t mind being outside, and I could easily post up there for a full afternoon.
Dog-Friendly Score: 2/5
A little low just because dogs can’t go inside, but the patio (especially the rooftop!) makes up for it.
Atmosphere:
This is where they definitely shine. The inside taproom is full of character—dark wood, vintage decor, and fun, old pub-type booths. It feels like a place you'd find in the Irish countryside, not so much small-town Minnesota. It’s not the biggest space, but probably perfect for a town this size. The vibe is welcoming, and the staff are incredibly Minnesota-nice and they know a lot about their beer.
The rooftop patio really elevates the whole experience. It’s an awesome bonus that overlooks Buffalo Lake, with seating, a great view, and even a bathroom up there. A rooftop spot in this area is rare, so that alone makes it worth checking out.
Atmosphere Score: 4.5/5 Super unique and charming. Big points for the rooftop and the Irish pub feel
Merch & More:
Hayes’ merch selection is small. There are some branded pint glasses, hats, can koozies and a couple t-shirt options. For such a small section, it was fun that they even had flannels and a puffy vest as well! Nice options for a cool day like when we were there!
Merch Score: 2.5/5 Not many options, but what they do have is unique! Can't go wrong with bar glasses though!
Overall:
Hayes’ Public House might not be on anyone’s radar, but it’s definitely a hidden gem. It delivers a lot of personality, which is one of my favorite things to discover in my brewery adventures. Between the Irish-style beer, super unique atmosphere, and rooftop patio, it’s the kind of place that you’ll remember—especially when you need a brewery to break away from the big city.
Would I make a long haul for their sour selection alone? Probably not. But as a brewery near our campground with a decent vibe? Absolutely.
Overall Score: 3/5
Not a destination for the drinks alone, but the atmosphere and uniqueness make it worth a visit. If you’re ever passing through Buffalo—or camping nearby—Hayes’ is a must-stop, especially on a nice sunny day.
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