If you’re looking for a craft beer experience worth driving for, Lift Bridge Brewery has earned a serious reputation across the Midwest. Founded in 2008, this Minnesota original has grown from a passion project into one of the region’s most respected craft beverage makers, with a taproom right in the heart of downtown Stillwater. Whether you’re a beer aficionado or a hard seltzer fan, Lift Bridge Brewery has something in the glass for you.
Stillwater is one of those small towns that surprises! The things to do in Stillwater MN list is long, from exploring antique shops and boutique galleries along Main Street to paddling the St. Croix River or walking the trails above the bluffs. The town’s historic character makes every outing feel a little more special, and the food and drink scene here keeps getting better with each passing year.
When it’s time to rest up after a day of exploring, Hotels in Stillwater don’t get much better than Water Street Inn. Our boutique property sits in a beautifully restored historic building right on the water. Between our rooms overlooking the iconic lift bridge, the Victorian-style suites, and our on-site dining options, find out why we are the top choice for Hotels in Stillwater. Book your stay now!
Lift Bridge Brewery has been crafting quality beverages in Stillwater since 2008. What started as a small-batch operation by a group of friends has evolved into a full-scale craft beverage company with distribution throughout the Midwest.
The Lift Bridge Brewery Taproom is located in downtown Stillwater, making it an easy stop whether you’re passing through or spending the weekend. Production operations have since expanded to a facility in Wisconsin, allowing the Lift Bridge brewing team to scale up without sacrificing the craft-forward approach that built their following.
What makes Lift Bridge Brewery stand out in a crowded market is the sheer range of its offerings. The beer menu alone covers a wide spectrum, from approachable everyday drinkers to creative, limited-run releases that turn heads at events like the Minnesota State Fair.
If you’ve ever had the chance to try their mini donut or key lime pie beers at the fair, you already know that Lift Bridge Brewery takes the fun side of craft beer seriously. But the lineup goes well beyond beer. Hard seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, small-batch sodas, functional beverages, and hemp-based offerings round out an innovative portfolio.
The current flagship worth knowing about is the Farm Day Golden Ale, which replaced the long-running Farm Girl Saison and has quickly become a go-to for good reason. It’s an easy-drinking, refreshing beer with notes of golden malts, wheat, and oats, the kind of pint that works whether you’re two hours into a taproom visit or just stopping in for one on a warm afternoon. It’s approachable enough for casual drinkers and interesting enough that craft beer fans won’t feel like they’re settling.
The taproom is open daily in the afternoons and runs a solid calendar of events, including food truck nights, happy hour specials, charity fundraisers, and trivia. One event worth highlighting is Townie Tuesday, a weekly tradition in which Lift Bridge Brewery donates a dollar from every pint poured to a rotating roster of local non-profits.
Since launching in 2013, Lift Bridge Brewery has hosted more than 363 Townie Tuesdays and raised over $54,000 for the community. That kind of consistent, long-term commitment to giving back is another great reason to pull up a barstool. If you’re planning a visit, check their schedule ahead of time, as events fill up quickly and Townie Tuesday has a way of bringing out the best in the Stillwater crowd.
After an afternoon at Lift Bridge Brewery, you’re going to want a place to stay that matches the quality of the day you just had. Water Street Inn does exactly that. Our historic Hotel brings together the charm of Stillwater’s past with the comfort and hospitality you’d expect from a top-tier lodging choice. Our suites with views of the lift bridge are memorable, and the Victorian-style rooms add a romantic, one-of-a-kind feel that you simply won’t find at a chain property.
Hotels in Stillwater rarely offer the full package that Water Street Inn brings to the table. On-site dining, personalized service, and a location that puts you steps from Main Street, the riverfront, and yes, Lift Bridge Brewery itself, make it the obvious home base for your Stillwater visit. Reserve your room, plan your pours, and let Stillwater do the rest.
